Large Format Field Camera connected to modern flash

[HannahBlake]

Hello! I am new to this very helpful forum - nice to meet you!
I currently have a Graflex Speed Graphic which I love but the only problem is that I would like to use flash on location with it.
At the moment, in the studio, if I want to use flash I set the shutter to 1 second and trigger the flash manually. On location this is more difficult so I am looking to buy a 4x5 which easily connects to a flash kit such as a Bowens or even a speed light.
Any advice is much appreciated.
Hannah

[C. D. Keth]

You just need a cable to connect the PC terminal of the shutter to the PC terminal on the flash if it has one or to the shoe connection if it doesn’t.


https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._Shoe.html/amp


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[Drew Bedo]

Someone here can probably give you a definitive answer. I will give you my understanding and experience with this aspect o LF imaging.

Some models of the Graflex cameras have a flash syncvh on the focal plane shutter. However this is timed for flash bulbs which take longer to fire and have a longer dwell l time (stay bright longer). Leaf shutters of this era also have a flash synched for flash bulbs. "Modern" electronic strobes fire more quickly and have a flash duration that is shorter. This means that if used with the older synch set up, the shutter is not open or only partly open when the strobe fires. This older synch set up for flash bulbs is often called "M-Synch"

Shuters set up for electronic strobes are often said to have "X-Synch". There was a generation of shutters that had both an M-synch and an X-synch setting. My Leica M-3 does. I used to have a Schneider Symmar convertible that had a swit6ch for both. I have used my "pre-Anniversary" Speed Graphic and my Kodak 2D with Vivitar 283 strobes using thatSchneider lens. Most newer "modern" LF lens/shutters have the X-synch only.

I am open to correction on any of this from other members.

Hannah . . .does any of this help?

[maltfalc]

Some models of the Graflex cameras have a flash syncvh on the focal plane shutter. However this is timed for flash bulbs which take longer to fire and have a longer dwell l time (stay bright longer).

the fp shutter has x-sync on the "T" setting.

[Drew Bedo]

the fp shutter has x-sync on the "T" setting.

Thank You for that. The pool of knowledge and experience on these forums is both wide and deep.

[Dan Fromm]

the fp shutter has x-sync on the "T" setting.

What good is that in situations where the ambient light can't be turned off?

[maltfalc]

What good is that in situations where the ambient light can't be turned off?

it's not always bright out, and you can always use more flash with a smaller aperture or lower iso film or an nd filter. excuse me for pointing out an option everyone else missed.

[Dan Fromm]

it's not always bright out, and you can always use more flash with a smaller aperture or lower iso film or an nd filter. excuse me for pointing out an option everyone else missed.

That option is well-known. It requires more flash power. Perhaps if the OP has a mule to carry the batteries or a nearby wall socket to plug into ...

[maltfalc]

That option is well-known. It requires more flash power. Perhaps if the OP has a mule to carry the batteries or a nearby wall socket to plug into ...

really? it's well known that speed graphics have x-sync on the fp shutter's "T" setting? because that's the option i'm referencing, not overpowering ambient light with flash. and if overpowering ambient light with flash is so well known, why did you respond to my first comment like ambient light can't be compensated for? and i know it requires more flash power, i literally just said it does in the comment you're quoting. the op mentions using a bowens or speed lights, neither of which require a mule.

[Dan Fromm]

really? it's well known that speed graphics have x-sync on the fp shutter's "T" setting? because that's the option i'm referencing, not overpowering ambient light with flash. and if overpowering ambient light with flash is so well known, why did you respond to my first comment like ambient light can't be compensated for? and i know it requires more flash power, i literally just said it does in the comment you're quoting. the op mentions using a bowens or speed lights, neither of which require a mule.

The OP wrote:

I currently have a Graflex Speed Graphic which I love but the only problem is that I would like to use flash on location with it.
At the moment, in the studio, if I want to use flash I set the shutter to 1 second and trigger the flash manually. On location this is more difficult so I am looking to buy a 4x5 which easily connects to a flash kit such as a Bowens or even a speed light.

On location is the killer. In the studio, as has been point out already, ambient light can be eliminated by closing the blinds and turning the lights off. Out of the studio controlling exposure from ambient while using flash is more difficult. The usual way with electronic flash is to use a shutter speed high enough that the desired fraction of the light the film sees comes from the flash. When that high a shutter speed is not available, ND filters and a lot of flash power will do the job. Hence my comment about the mule.

However, the OP asked for advice about a

4x5 which easily connects to a flash kit

OP, if you haven't given up yet, your Speed Graphic will do the job. Don't use the focal plane shutter, mount a lens in shutter of the focal length you want use on your Graphic, set the lens' shutter to X sync (if that isn't the default, note that modern shutters offer only X) and use it to time the exposure to get the balance you want between flash and ambient.