Hi there - I am currently using Kodak Commercial Ektar lenses with an 8x10 camera and using studio strobe flash.

I use the X setting to sync with the lights but it seems like the shutter speed is always constant when used with this setting - in other words the shutter doesn't seem to use the shutter speed that is set on the dial at all. I've tested this by setting the shutter to B and then setting the flash sync to X and tripping the lights but the shutter just opens for a fraction of a second even when I keep the cable release pressed.

So my question is: does the "X" flash sync setting on these lenses have a set shutter speed (irrespective of what the shutter speed dial is set to) and if so, what is it? And also, is it possible to balance flash with ambient light in the same exposure in this case?