Graflex.org

[ajacobs2]

For (actually event photography with 40's themes) I am converting a Graflex flash into a strobe unit and wondering if any others had done this. I have a couple Norman and Lumi heads. pretty straight forward but any ideas will help.

[Les]

Yes a few years back somebody did convert a Graflex flash to a strobe using a Norman 200 What I never figured out was how he was able to get the cables/wires in there and still use the old port for flash sync. Then there's the "lawyer effect" Since you are using leathal voltages (a nomran 200 puts out as much energy as a defibrilator) nobody want to put up diagrams and instructions for fear of the lawyers of Darwin award winners.

Remember to insulate the high voltage wire very well from the case. If your holding the camera by the flash and have a hole in your shoe, it may be you that goes off instead of the strobe.

Les

[ajacobs2]

I appreciate your concern. Being in the battery pack business, I fully understand the dynamics of self electrocution. I could have graduated Magna Cum Toast from Stark State prison in Florida, Home of Sparky the Chair.

I proved the theory man could fly without assistance with merely a moist finger and an Eveready 510 Volt pack I was removing from an old Braun strobe.

I worked repairing those things when I was in NYC as a kid in what was then the camera centers.... 17th street, Cambridge, all the old names in the business. Actually the Graflex tube or Heiland will merely be a cover for the protected wires and switch. the ground will go back to one of my packs.

I appreciate your reply and I just cleaned out an inventory of camera gear and found a whole bunch of 4X5 (over 200 nice film holders) rollfilm gear from Graflex to Linhof ( like backs, plates and stuff I have no clue what he was collecting for and when I sort out the seven crates i'll post what I will cheerfully wish to dispose of since I have limited room very reasonably.