[Leica] Putting X-Synch on a 100 Year Old Camera

[CartersXRd]

LOL!!

Wonderful!

ric


> On Aug 13, 2019, at 6:20 PM, Alan Magayne-Roshak <amr3 at uwmalumni.com> wrote:
> 
> Peter Dzwig asked me about putting X-Synch on my ca. 1917 4x5 RB (Revolving
> Back) Graflex.
> Here's the story.
> 
> The camera that I bought to go with my 9" f/4 Wollensak Verito Diffused
> Focus lens that I got for $12.00 in 1985:
> <
> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Alan+Magayne-Roshak/Gear/MR_Graflex_1_Orig.jpg.html
>> 
> 
> Side view showing the wiring path:
> <
> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Alan+Magayne-Roshak/Gear/MR_Graflex_2_X-Synch.jpg.html
>> 
> The Graflex has a focal plane shutter with multiple slits and spring
> tensions.  When the shutter is set to "O" (for open) the film
> plane is uncovered but the mirror blocks light from exposing the film. With
> a high tension, when the shutter button is pressed, the
> mirror flips out of the way, trips the shutter, the entire film area is
> exposed for a fraction of a second, and then the shutter curtain comes down
> and covers the focal plane.  I made some contacts out of Aurora HO-scale
> slot car pick-ups and mounted them so that the one on the mirror reset
> lever would strike the stationary one at the moment after the mirror was
> up, but before the shutter
> curtain comes down to cover the film.  I can adjust the timing by loosening
> the set screw on the arm, and varying the angle
> of the moving contact.  The wire ends in a standard PC fitting.  The lead
> going down and inside is for the microswitch in
> picture five.
> 
> Closer view with mirror down and shutter cocked:
> <
> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Alan+Magayne-Roshak/Gear/MR_Graflex_3_X-Synch.jpg.html
>> 
> 
> Closer view with mirror up and shutter tripped:
> <
> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Alan+Magayne-Roshak/Gear/MR_Graflex_4_X-Synch.jpg.html
>> 
> 
> If I didn't do anything more, the flash would fire again as I reset the
> mirror lever for viewing, so in the mirror box I
> added a microswitch that only completes the circuit when the mirror/shutter
> release lever pushes against it.  When the shutter
> button is released, the switch opens the circuit and the external mirror
> reset lever can swing past the stationary contact without
> setting off the flash.
> 
> Microswitch and internal mirror release lever:
> <
> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Alan+Magayne-Roshak/Gear/MR_Graflex_5_X-Synch.jpg.html
>> 
> 
> I usually like to use this camera with a Graflex 2-1/4 x 3-1/4 roll film
> back, so when I'm employing electronic flash, I have
> to do this for every shot (except the dark slide only needs to be pulled at
> the start and pushed in at the end of the roll).
> 
> 1. Have shutter set to "O" and mirror down.
> 2. Focus and compose (remembering to orient the roll film back to match
> rectangles for vertical and horizontal shots drawn on the ground glass).
> 3. Trip shutter.
> 4. Wind film to next frame (there's no double-exposure prevention).
> 5. Reset mirror to viewing position.
> 6. Rewind shutter to "O" position.
> 7.  Steps 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 for each of the remaining seven frames.
> 
> Simple.
> -
> Alan
> 
> Alan Magayne-Roshak, Senior Photographer
> University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Photo Services
> (Retired)
> UPAA Photographer of the Year 1978
> UPAA Master of the Profession 2014
> amr3 at uwm.edu
> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Alan+Magayne-Roshak/
> 
> "All the technique in the world doesn't compensate
> for an inability to notice. " - Elliott Erwitt
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information