View Full Version : Graflex Series D 4x5 SLR Loud Shutter and Vibrations
diversey
12-Nov-2019, 14:21
I recently bought a GRAFLEX Series D 4x5 SLR Camera. The camera is in good condition, but the shutter is very loud. I feel the vibrations caused by loud shutter might blur my images during my testing. How can I silent the shutter and minimize the vibrations? Thank you for your inputs in advance. David
Tin Can
12-Nov-2019, 16:37
It needs shutter curtain repair
But first read the operation manual and try again
Good luck!
The clunk the mirror makes is normal, but the curtain wooshing by should not jerk much except at the end of exposure... There can be a trace of vertical blur if the camera is not held steady enough, but I have seen Stiglitz and Strand original prints that had this blur at lower speeds...
At the higher shutter tensions, there is more of a feeling of the curtain jerk, but should do some film tests to see if there is a trace of blur... But by holding it correctly, your body absorbs most of the shock...
My bigger problem with it is on a tripod, as it jolts the pod during the exposure, so I have to use a large wood MP tripod, unless I flip the mirror up first, then release the curtain...
Seems crazy, but it does give the photos a unique "look"...
Adding a guitar strap makes the camera much more stable to hand hold, and is much easier to set the camera without holding on to the camera for dear life!!!
Steve K
diversey
13-Nov-2019, 08:48
How can I repair the shutter curtain? Is there a service I can use? Thanks!
It needs shutter curtain repair
But first read the operation manual and try again
Good luck!
Tin Can
13-Nov-2019, 08:53
There are a few specialists, I have not used any of them
Google it and have $$$
https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?143924-Graflex-RB-Shutter-repair&p=1427263&viewfull=1#post1427263
diversey
13-Nov-2019, 08:53
I may need a guitar strap and hand held it. The mirror can be flipped up when only "T" is used, am I right? Thanks!
The clunk the mirror makes is normal, but the curtain wooshing by should not jerk much except at the end of exposure... There can be a trace of vertical blur if the camera is not held steady enough, but I have seen Stiglitz and Strand original prints that had this blur at lower speeds...
At the higher shutter tensions, there is more of a feeling of the curtain jerk, but should do some film tests to see if there is a trace of blur... But by holding it correctly, your body absorbs most of the shock...
My bigger problem with it is on a tripod, as it jolts the pod during the exposure, so I have to use a large wood MP tripod, unless I flip the mirror up first, then release the curtain...
Seems crazy, but it does give the photos a unique "look"...
Adding a guitar strap makes the camera much more stable to hand hold, and is much easier to set the camera without holding on to the camera for dear life!!!
Steve K
I may need a guitar strap and hand held it. The mirror can be flipped up when only "T" is used, am I right? Thanks!
Correct, the mirror will pop up from using the side release, but behind the shutter winding key is a slender lever... When pushed backward, it will fire the FP shutter once... But there is an interlock that prevents winding the shutter with the mirror up, so you pull the mirror lever back down, then you can wind the FP and shoot again (like above)...
Steve K
Tin Can
13-Nov-2019, 17:02
I assume you have been here, https://graflex.org/
diversey
14-Nov-2019, 07:42
Have you guys seen this? Not for politics please.
https://www.dpreview.com/articles/2937027624/photographer-david-burnett-at-today-s-impeachment-hearings
Dan Fromm
14-Nov-2019, 08:57
OP, my humble little 2x3 RB Ser. B's shutter makes a loud bang and shakes the camera at the end of its run. This is normal and since it happens with the shutter closed has no effect of image quality.
With this in mind, is your camera's shutter noisy etc. before it stops or when it stops?
Tin Can
14-Nov-2019, 09:34
Yes, I was trying to recall his name. Very nice!
Way out of my budget, but I may hack one similar
Have you guys seen this? Not for politics please.
https://www.dpreview.com/articles/2937027624/photographer-david-burnett-at-today-s-impeachment-hearings
diversey
14-Nov-2019, 09:57
Certainly my camera loudness/nosiness is from the mirror when it flips up after shutter is pressed. This loudness creates vibration/shake which lasts in focal shutter closing phase.
OP, my humble little 2x3 RB Ser. B's shutter makes a loud bang and shakes the camera at the end of its run. This is normal and since it happens with the shutter closed has no effect of image quality.
With this in mind, is your camera's shutter noisy etc. before it stops or when it stops?
diversey
14-Nov-2019, 09:58
I need one of those lens too.
Yes, I was trying to recall his name. Very nice!
Way out of my budget, but I may hack one similar
you need to have the camera on a tripod, and flip the T/I lever
to flip the mirror up, and pull back the shutter separately.
tripod helps with shallow DOF lenses too...
diversey
17-Nov-2019, 04:18
It makes sense. Thanks!
you need to have the camera on a tripod, and flip the T/I lever
to flip the mirror up, and pull back the shutter separately.
tripod helps with shallow DOF lenses too...
Tin Can
17-Nov-2019, 08:16
adding a link here
Graflex SLR Issues Usage DIY & Improvements? (https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?155189-Graflex-SLR-Issues-Usage-DIY-amp-Improvements&p=1525054&viewfull=1#post1525054)
diversey
17-Nov-2019, 11:39
Randy, Thanks !
adding a link here
Graflex SLR Issues Usage DIY & Improvements? (https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?155189-Graflex-SLR-Issues-Usage-DIY-amp-Improvements&p=1525054&viewfull=1#post1525054)
Bolshoi
28-Nov-2019, 06:54
Hello,
pretty often during repair a mirror spring is overtensioned, which causes the mirror assembly to hit the camera really hard. The tension must be such that is barely just sufficient to release the shutter when I/T slider is set at I.
Best regards,
Alex
diversey
28-Nov-2019, 08:04
How can I adjust the mirror spring tension? Thanks!
Hello,
pretty often during repair a mirror spring is overtensioned, which causes the mirror assembly to hit the camera really hard. The tension must be such that is barely just sufficient to release the shutter when I/T slider is set at I.
Best regards,
Alex
Bolshoi
28-Nov-2019, 11:28
197947
It's pretty easy. There is a large lid fastened with 3 screws on a left side of your camera. Unscrew 2 screws, then press the lid down really firmly and unscrew the last one. Slighlty release the pressure and let it turn a third of a turn so screw holes coincide. Try out mirror's function. As i said it must be barely sufficient to release the shutter, so you have to release tension until the shutter is not being released anymore, then re-wind it 1/3 of a turn again.
Bolshoi
28-Nov-2019, 11:56
Ofc it is only relatable if you do have shaking camera problem. If your primary promlem is a loud shutter sound i have to discourage you. Any Graflex is by no means a silent camera, hoever, shaking is surprisingly low. I tried to attach a laser pointer on top of a flash bracket and was surprised finding out it how little the red dot moves when shutter released.
diversey
28-Nov-2019, 13:29
I believe the mirror flap up of my camera causes vibrating and shaking because When I put a level on top of the camera and trigger the shutter, the liquid in level moves. I may follow your description and do some adjusting. Thanks!
Ofc it is only relatable if you do have shaking camera problem. If your primary promlem is a loud shutter sound i have to discourage you. Any Graflex is by no means a silent camera, hoever, shaking is surprisingly low. I tried to attach a laser pointer on top of a flash bracket and was surprised finding out it how little the red dot moves when shutter released.
diversey
28-Nov-2019, 13:30
I believe the mirror flap up of my camera causes vibrating and shaking because When I put a level on top of the camera and trigger the shutter, the liquid in level moves. I may follow your description and do some adjusting. Thanks!
Ofc it is only relatable if you do have shaking camera problem. If your primary promlem is a loud shutter sound i have to discourage you. Any Graflex is by no means a silent camera, hoever, shaking is surprisingly low. I tried to attach a laser pointer on top of a flash bracket and was surprised finding out it how little the red dot moves when shutter released.
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