Flash Cable for Kodak Supermatic Shutter

[sruddy]

Hi all,

I want to use my Kodak Flash Supermatic Shutter f7.7 with my studio strobe. Can I buy an adapter for a male PC flash sync cable or do I need a whole new cable? I don’t know what you call the cable that fits the two prongs on the shutter. Also what is the sync speed for electronic flash and is the flash output always active?

Thanks

[Keith Pitman]

Paramount cords will be the the most likely source. Try this: https://paramountcords.com/product/1-1s-household-to-bipost-1-foot-straight/

[Mark Sampson]

Some Flash Supermatic shutters have an "ASA bayonet" flash connector. For mine, I long ago found an adapter that converted it to a standard PC connector.
It sounds like yours has the common two-pin "bi-post" connector. Paramount was the company who made the flash cable you'll need- don't know if they're still in business though.
Those are leaf shutters and sync at all speeds, and are active all the time. There should be a sync setting for "X" on the face of your shutter, use that.
(BTW, some Ilex shutters from the same era had a separate cocking lever for the flash sync.)

[LabRat]

For a long time I used an AC cord for an electric razor... Worked great!!!

But as mentioned, Paramount will make you a bi-post to AC connector sync cord...

Steve K

[exee]

I had the same issue and since I am not leaving the house these days I figured out a way to do this at home. It seems the standard terminal blocks 5.08mm fit the bipost connector if you take a small drill bit and hollow oout the plastic a little. This should in theory allow you to attach a bi-post connector to anything since the terminal block allows you to connect any bare wire connection. My flash remotes use a 1/8" jack, but you could use anything. It is a very DIY solution, but works perfectly.

202212

[sruddy]

Paramount cords will be the the most likely source. Try this: https://paramountcords.com/product/1-1s-household-to-bipost-1-foot-straight/

Thanks, Here is a link to the one I would need. https://paramountcords.com/product/bp-pf-bipost-to-pc-female-6-inches/


Some Flash Supermatic shutters have an "ASA bayonet" flash connector. For mine, I long ago found an adapter that converted it to a standard PC connector.
It sounds like yours has the common two-pin "bi-post" connector. Paramount was the company who made the flash cable you'll need- don't know if they're still in business though.
Those are leaf shutters and sync at all speeds, and are active all the time. There should be a sync setting for "X" on the face of your shutter, use that.
(BTW, some Ilex shutters from the same era had a separate cocking lever for the flash sync.)

My shutter has F or M.


I had the same issue and since I am not leaving the house these days I figured out a way to do this at home. It seems the standard terminal blocks 5.08mm fit the bipost connector if you take a small drill bit and hollow oout the plastic a little. This should in theory allow you to attach a bi-post connector to anything since the terminal block allows you to connect any bare wire connection. My flash remotes use a 1/8" jack, but you could use anything. It is a very DIY solution, but works perfectly.

202212

Wow, I think I can dig one one those up! I see you have your set to F and am assuming this is good for electronic flash?

[Bob Salomon]

Thanks, Here is a link to the one I would need. https://paramountcords.com/product/bp-pf-bipost-to-pc-female-6-inches/



My shutter has F or M.

F was for gas filled bulbs. X is for electronic flash. It has 0 delay.



Wow, I think I can dig one one those up! I see you have your set to F and am assuming this is good for electronic flash?

[exee]

F stands for fast flash bulbs and apparently if you do not cock the flash delay, which I believe is the lever by the T in my photo, this shutter will work with modern flashes. I have yet to try it out. I will probably know in a couple of days.

[sruddy]

Mine has a button. I have no idea what it does and can't find a user manual for this shutter. I just did a quick and dirty connection to test it. My studio strobes fire fine with either setting. I'll try and look through the lens while firing off the flash to see if I see any sync issues.

202213

[exee]

I think the button holds the shutter open to focus if you set the shutter to (B)ulb or (T)ime? But I am new to this too so...Is there a groove where a delay lever might have been? Maybe it was modded in the past? Take a shot or two and see if there are any sync problems. If not happy shooting.

[sruddy]

Man my memory is getting bad. I just got this back less than a month ago from service. I think the tech may have asked me if I wanted it modified. I just read a thread that said there was a later version of this shutter called X made for electronic flash. Mine must have been converted as it fires the electronic studio flash at either setting and if I look through the shutter it appears to be fully open either way. I also read about the button and it is for holding open the shutter for focusing. Set speed, cock shutter while holding button in, when finished cock shutter again and shutter will close.

I looked everywhere for a connector like you used. I know I had one at some point but just threw away a lot of electronic parts I was hoarding. Figures I need one now. I also use to make light fixtures and used molex connectors, but their terminals are too small. I found a cord that came with a lighting fixture. I removed some of the plastic between the connectors so I could squeeze them together. It works but will keep looking for a better fit. I'm anxious to test this lens and you got me going!
Thanks.

202215

[Bob Salomon]

Man my memory is getting bad. I just got this back less than a month ago from service. I think the tech may have asked me if I wanted it modified. I just read a thread that said there was a later version of this shutter called X made for electronic flash. Mine must have been converted as it fires the electronic studio flash at either setting and if I look through the shutter it appears to be fully open either way. I also read about the button and it is for holding open the shutter for focusing. Set speed, cock shutter while holding button in, when finished cock shutter again and shutter will close.

I looked everywhere for a connector like you used. I know I had one at some point but just threw away a lot of electronic parts I was hoarding. Figures I need one now. I also use to make light fixtures and used molex connectors, but their terminals are too small. I found a cord that came with a lighting fixture. I removed some of the plastic between the connectors so I could squeeze them together. It works but will keep looking for a better fit. I'm anxious to test this lens and you got me going!
Thanks.

202215

Electronic flash will fire at any setting. But that does not mean that it is synchronized. To determine that you fire the flash at a wall while looking through the back of the lens. If you see a clear, bright circle of light it is synced at that speed. Try all your speeds, a synched leaf shutter will synch at all speeds with strobe.
Be you do not see a clear bright circle or a cut off circle it is not synched at that shutter speed.

Just firing the flash only tells you that the circuit is complete. Not synched.

[sruddy]

Electronic flash will fire at any setting. But that does not mean that it is synchronized. To determine that you fire the flash at a wall while looking through the back of the lens. If you see a clear, bright circle of light it is synced at that speed. Try all your speeds, a synched leaf shutter will synch at all speeds with strobe.
Be you do not see a clear bright circle or a cut off circle it is not synched at that shutter speed.

Just firing the flash only tells you that the circuit is complete. Not synched.

Great advice Bob, It does appear the shutter is fully open during the flash output. The timing amy have been off for you to catch my comment about that, above yours. :-):rolleyes:
about that


Mine must have been converted as it fires the electronic studio flash at either setting and if I look through the shutter it appears to be fully open either way.
202215

[sruddy]

Houston we have flash. Took this at 1/200th and processed in a Sidekick which I haven’t got completely working yet.

202267

This iPhone capture looks like crap. The Ektar lens seems to be razed sharp even to the edges.