Question about flash photography with a Chamonix

[younghoon Kil]

I have never used flash on a 4x5 camera, but I want to shoot using the flash indoors or outdoors.
I'm going to take simple shots of my friends one by one.
Fortunately, I can borrow Godox V1N Round Head Camera Flash and Xpro-N TTL Wireless Flash Trigger for a long time.
And I use a Sekonic L-758D exposure meter.

Can I use these Nikon-compatible flashe and trigger with Chamonix cameras? (I use Schneider and Rodenstone lenses.)
If possible, I would like to know which cable I need.
Please understand the basic questions.

[Two23]

The camera has NOTHING to do with the flash. Flash is controlled by the lens. You attach the flash to the PC socket on the Copal (or other) shutter using a PC sync cord. You connect the other end to any flash. I just use radio triggers. Note that a TTL flash system will not work here. Has to be manual or manual mode. Your meter must be set to FLASH mode, not ambient.


Kent in SD

[younghoon Kil]

I was wondering if Nikon-compatible, or Canon-compatible, or Sony-compatible flash and trigger can be used for 4x5 lenses.
Thank you for your detailed description.

[blue4130]

Do the flash/triggers have a PC sync? Are your lenses mounted in modern shutters with a PC sync? If so, then yes. It will work just fine.

[younghoon Kil]

Yes, both have PC Sync code jack.
Thank you.

p.s. I am going to study flash exposure using Instax Wide Film. https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?156922-Shoot-Instax-Wide-in-any-4X5

[Exploring Large Format]

I have never used flash on a 4x5 camera, but I want to shoot using the flash indoors or outdoors.
I'm going to take simple shots of my friends one by one.
Fortunately, I can borrow Godox V1N Round Head Camera Flash and Xpro-N TTL Wireless Flash Trigger for a long time.
And I use a Sekonic L-758D exposure meter.

Can I use these Nikon-compatible flashe and trigger with Chamonix cameras? (I use Schneider and Rodenstone lenses.)
If possible, I would like to know which cable I need.
Please understand the basic questions.

Your journey mirrors mine. I just started using my Intrepid 4x5 in the studio, with Flashpoint R2 trigger (Godox) and Godox QS1200ii mono lights. Or Godox AD200's. Using Rodenstock lens, but as others noted, it is the shutter that matters. Copal shutters working great for syncing with their PC sync ports. I use PC Sync to 2.5mm cable to connect the lens/shutter to the trigger. I use my Sekonic 558R, but just for flash metering. My trigger is also Nikon, just because I have a Nikon, though it doesn't matter at all. The Rodenstock/Copal care not a whit about trigger configuration. Refreshingly simple which is just what I love about large format.

One Godox feature I've just come to embrace--new technology, but simple nonetheless--is the Godox phone app that allows me to adjust and test flash my lighting from anywhere in the studio via Bluetooth. That way, I can leave my camera and trigger mounted together on the tripod securely, and just take my meter and phone up to my willing victim (subject) to meter the flash easily by triggering the flash via the Godox phone app. Trigger never leaves camera, and I can meter the flash all I need without touching the flash trigger or firing the shutter.

[younghoon Kil]

The app you said is a GodoxPhoto app. Right? https://apps.apple.com/us/app/godoxphoto/id1258982778
I also watched this video. I also want to experience this soon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHNHMIqGGFM
Thank you.

[Exploring Large Format]

Yep, Godox Photo App. I was a skeptical technology grump at first. But I've come to dig it. And I use one trigger in the studio and another in the field. They're cheap. Always have my phone, so App follows me. Familiarity prevents some of my mistakes. Ha!

Just need to adjust the settings once from the App so you are certain that the settings you're reading on the App have been transmitted to your strobes.

AND, interesting for LF, Godox is coming out with a new pack and head 1200ws flash. No price yet. But I am thinking the Godox system is becoming very compatible and reliable for LF.

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[younghoon Kil]

You seem to use Godox lights with Godox A1 smartphone flash.
I am also interested in Godox A1, but I am concerned that Amazon user rating is not good. :confused:
Thank you.

[Exploring Large Format]

The app you said is a GodoxPhoto app. Right? https://apps.apple.com/us/app/godoxphoto/id1258982778
I also watched this video. I also want to experience this soon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHNHMIqGGFM
Thank you.Thanks for sharing the video. Inspiring to concentrate on lighting. My issue is in stopping down my LF lenses, I crave more watt seconds for portraits. Hence my larger monolights. Keep us posted on how it goes for you please.

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[Exploring Large Format]

You seem to use Godox lights with Godox A1 smartphone flash.
I am also interested in Godox A1, but I am concerned that Amazon user rating is not good. :confused:
Thank you.I have had no problems. I'm new. Don't shoot thousands of digital shots, so I don't tax them so much. Robert Hall on YouTube is great resource for details, test results, comparisons. And, their system is becoming huge.

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[younghoon Kil]

Thank you again for your kind explanation.
It helped me a lot.

[Exploring Large Format]

Thank you again for your kind explanation.
It helped me a lot.[emoji106]

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[C. D. Keth]

If any of your shutters give you a sync option, you want "X Sync." That is for strobes. The other setting that is sometimes there is for flashbulbs. The other nice thing is that leaf shutters, like large format lenses are mounted in, sync at every speed so you don't have to worry about the shutter outrunning the strobe.

[Bob Salomon]

If any of your shutters give you a sync option, you want "X Sync." That is for strobes. The other setting that is sometimes there is for flashbulbs. The other nice thing is that leaf shutters like large format lenses are mounted in sync at every speed so you don't have to worry about the shutter outrunning the strobe.

At any speed with strobes

[Jim Noel]

The camera has NOTHING to do with the flash. Flash is controlled by the lens. You attach the flash to the PC socket on the Copal (or other) shutter using a PC sync cord. You connect the other end to any flash. I just use radio triggers. Note that a TTL flash system will not work here. Has to be manual or manual mode. Your meter must be set to FLASH mode, not ambient.


Kent in SD

Flash is controlled not by the lens, but by the shutter.

[C. D. Keth]

At any speed with strobes

I don’t get what you’re saying. Is that not exactly what I wrote?


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[Bob Salomon]

I don’t get what you’re saying. Is that not exactly what I wrote?


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Gets more complicated with flash bulbs.

[C. D. Keth]

Good thing we were never talking about flash bulbs, then.


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[younghoon Kil]

Yes, I know that Flash is controlled by the shutter.
I was wondering what type of flash(Nikon-compatible, or Canon-compatible, or Sony-compatible.. etc) to use for 4x5 lenses. :)

201612

I checked my lenses, some don't have a T, but they have a PC Sync terminal.
Can I shoot with the flash connected to this lens?

[Exploring Large Format]

Your LF lenses are agnostic to that branding. Nikon or Canon iis all about their TTL proprietary systems. Not an issue with LF shutters actually. Which I like. I purchased Nikon trigger for my LF lenses (shutters actually), just because I have a Nikon DSLR in case I want to user that trigger/flash with it.

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[Exploring Large Format]

The other little detail--just linking this thread with that other recent one you've posted on about light meters--is the flash illumination to ambient illumination ratio. This may not apply to you, but I use my flash in a blacked out studio at times. But also applicable I guess is when I'm using the strobes inside the house along with sunlight or lamps. I've discovered, being new, that I just can't have dim lights when it is time to focus. There is a certain amount of light that I need to accurately focus, and how do I account for that in my overall lighting? Do I turn it off prior to exposure? Assuming it is constant illumination (daylight or lamps of some kind), do I want it to contribute to the overall lighting? This is where your Sekonic (I use a used 558 for simplicity and because it's cheaper) comes in since it can show you whether your constant light is going to contribute to overall lighting, and to what percentage?

Since I use 1200 watt second Godox monolights or two Godox (Flashpoint) AD200's mated together for a total of 400ws, I have realized (by checking that % contribution of ambient illumination feature included on the Sekonic) that a little constant lamp lighting for focusing won't affect the exposure...unless I choose to make it so. If using less powerful lighting and longer exposures, then the ambient (daylight or constant lamps) might contribute to the overall illumination.

But to get specific on the flash trigger, I am using the Flashpoint R2 Pro MarkII 2.4GHz Transmitter. It uses the 2.5 sub-mini port for syncing to the lens (shutter), so my cable is 2.5 to PC Sync. PC sync is what most of the LF lenses (Shutters) I have seen are fitted with (some Graflex cameras use bi-poles). Then add whatever Godox/Flashpoint strobes you want. But the same would go with any system other than Godox.

[younghoon Kil]

Thanks again for the detailed explanation.
There's a lot to learn. :)


I checked my lenses, some don't have a T, but they have a PC Sync terminal.
Can I shoot with the flash connected to this lens?

I wonder if I can shoot a flash with this Linhof / Schneider 150mm lens.

[Bob Salomon]

Thanks again for the detailed explanation.
There's a lot to learn. :)



I wonder if I can shoot a flash with this Linhof / Schneider 150mm lens.

You need to know if that PC is X or M synch. To do that plug your flash into the terminal. Point the lens at a blank wall and fire the flash while looking through the back of the lens. If you see a bright circle of light then it is synced for any brand electronic flash. If you don’t then it is only synced for M class flash bulbs. Check it at several different speeds to be save.

[younghoon Kil]

Thanks for the detailed information.
I will try as you said.

[Dugan]

Flash sync is controlled by the shutter.
Flash exposure is controlled by the aperture.

Just wanted to clear that up.
:cool:

[BrianShaw]

Flash sync is controlled by the shutter.
Flash exposure is controlled by the aperture.

Just wanted to clear that up.
:cool:

For electronic strobe.

For flash bulbs there are also exposure impacts for “faster” shutter speeds.

[Dugan]

For electronic strobe.

For flash bulbs there are also exposure impacts for “faster” shutter speeds.

True. OP is considering electronic flash, so just keeping it basic. :)