Graflex.org

azkrazy · Joined: 16 Dec 2001 Posts: 3 Location: Arizona

Hi, I just bought a Graphic View that came with a Kodak Ektar 203mm F7.7 lens in a Flash Supermatic Shutter. I like the lens and even got some vintage prints ( 1950's ) with the camera that show how sharp this lens is. I would like to use this camera in studio with strobe units ( powerpack ). I don't see an X synch on the shutter, it has F and M but no X. It has the bipost connector and I read that Paramount Cords has synch cords for bipost. Does anyone know for sure if this shutter will work with strobe if I buy the bipost to household cord and if not is there anyway to make it work. Also if this shutter will not synch with strobe is there a shutter that I can buy and install this lens into? Can anyone recommend a good lens and shutter combo for this camera for portraits that will work with modern strobe ( that doesn't cost a fortune! ). Also this shutter has a button and a lever on the side that I can't figure out. What are they for? Thanks

daleraby · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2001 3:19 am Post subject:

First, this question would be more appropriately placed in the flash help section than here, however....

I gather that all f and m synch settings refer to flash bulbs. x is the only one that works with electronic flash.

Is there a shutter you can install the lens onto that has an x synch? Possibly, but you may well pay more for the shutter than you will for a different lens with a shutter. Some of the more knowlegable folks here might have a better suggestion as to what you could use.

Since you plan to use it in studio with flashes, you might be able to use a manual synch for some applications. Set the shutter to "bulb", open the shutter, flash the flash manually and then close the shutter. I successfully used this method with an old box camera to shoot an elderly couple's anniversary... her old flashgun was not firing the 5b bulbs so I had to synch a modern electronic flash with it. I did the camera, my wife did the flashing. If you try this, keep it stopped down pretty well to avoid incident exposure and avoid subjects that move. If this is too basic, I appologize. good luck.

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

First off the button is the "press view" button. Cock the shutter, hold the button down and fire. The lens stays open.

The Extra lever is to set the gear train for the flash sync. M has a 20milisecond delay F has a 5 mili second delay.

If you don't set the gear train, there is no delay, thus X sync!

azkrazy · Joined: 16 Dec 2001 Posts: 3 Location: Arizona

Harris Austin · Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 4 Location: NE Alabama

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

The resistor in the circuit is to limit the current that a flash bulb imposes on the shutter.
Certain old type flash needed high current to trip that it couldn't get with the resistor in the circuit.

My 1958 11th ed GGP book states this at the bottom of page 20

However modern strobes use much less current and voltage that those original Ascor 'widow makers' and the trip current can pass through the resistor without a problem. I've successfully used a flash super matic with a metz and a norman without a problem and haven't hot wired mine yet.