Very basic shutter/lens questions

[David F]

I'm completely new to view camera operations, as I came "of age" photographically using digital. I recently bought a 4x5 camera to try out, using Polaroid back and film (since I don't have a darkroom).

I just pulled out my 150mm lens, mounted on a Copal No. 0 shutter. I believe I understand the basics of operating the aperture and shutter speed levers, and the preview lever, and shutter release, and how to mouting the lens on the camera, but . . .

1) to the left of the 1 second mark on the shutter speed dial (I think that's what the 1 is for?) are the letters B and T. What are these for and how do I work with them? (I assume they are for shutter speeds of longer than 1 sec, but that's just an assumption.)

2) Right next to where you screw in the shutter release cable is a switch with the letters X (in red) and M (in yellow). What are these? and how do I work with them?

3) Finally, my camera came with two shutter release cables: one just has the button/plunger on the end, and the other has a tiny screw next to the end that you push. I think its for keeping the shutter open during really long exposures (so you don't have to keep it plunged manually), but again this is just an assumption.

Any help with these questions or other starting advice is helpful. I have looked in a couple of view camera books and extensive searches on the web, but there's not a lot about these basic operations, even in the "how to" lists. I did some basic shutter info. on this web site which got me started, but didn't get to the above questions.

Thanks,
David Freed
Whidbey Island, WA

[David F]

Okay, I just learned that B and T stand for Bulb and Time, but still not sure how to use them. david.

[John_4185]

You cruised by the answer on your way here.

Go to: www.largeformatphotography.info/lenses-primer/

When you get the lens mounted, and can see the scene on the ground-glass, best check to see if your particular lens creates an upside-down image.

[John_4185]

Okay. B, T are not covered. Strange, but true.

"B" (stood for "bulb") means the shutter stays open as long as you press down the shutter release.

"T" (time?) - the shutter opens when the shutter release is depressed, and stays open until it is depressed again.

[David F]

Good, good, we're getting there. Now I know about bulb and time (and I assume the one cable with the tiny screw on the side is to keep shutter open when using Bulb setting).

But what about switch with X and M designations. I looked again on the web page you directed me to (which is where I got some of my basic info -- good), but didn't see X and M discussed, though I could be missing it?

David.

[N Dhananjay]

They are for synchronizing the shutter with flash. M is for flash bulbs, X is for flash. Flash bulbs take longer to get to peak brightness, so M trips the flash a little before the shutter opens. Cheers, DJ

[Randy Becker]

M and X are the designations for flashbulb photography and electronic flash photography respectively.

It's all about the timing. The old flash bulbs would ignite then burn a short time then peak. This delay would neccesitate a delay when the shutter would open fully. In short-hit button, flash bulb ignites, shutter then opens to catch the peak then shutter closes.

With electronic flash, the shutter opens fully, flash fires instanteously, shutter closes.

Hope this helps.
Randy

ps.. (I don't think flash bulbs are even available anymore but you are prepared if you can find some.)

[John_4185]

I'm sorry, David. These are things we forgot we once didn't know. No problem. Nobody is born knowing this stuff.

M and X are different flash synchronizing settings. X is for electronic flash. It works at all speeds. You will probably use it most often. M is for flash bulbs.

You will probably want to use T for focusing, by the way.

Oh, and the following link is hugely helpful. www.largeformatphotography.info/mistakes.html

[John_4185]

ps.. (I don't think flash bulbs are even available anymore but you are prepared if you can find some.)

Ah, but they are still being made. www.meggaflash.com/

Good stuff, too.

[medform-norm]

B for Bulb? I always thought that was confusing, since bulb can mean more than one thing. (And like you don't use the pneumatic bulb for short exposures as well...) I always remember it as B for beliebig, german for something like 'as you like it' or 'however long you wish to expose' - it has a pleasant and polite ring to it.

Ah, and your assumption about the cable release was right: tighten down the screw for long exposures using the B setting. I've done exposures of more than 30 minutes and boy, do these things come in handy...!

Good luck with your first shots, mine were very disappointing - by way of cold comfort -

Norm