Flash Sync Cable for Copal 0 Shutter

[jambirn]

Hello APUG -- it's my first post, so please go easy on me.
My camera dealer tells me I need a "female to female" PC sync cable to connect my Copal 0 shutter on my LF camera to my Canon Speedlite 580exii. Is this true? If so, where do I find such a cable?
Please help! I'd like to do some flash photography with my 4x5!!!
Thanks so much --
Jim

 

[Ian Grant]

Any good camera shop sells them, they are standard as even Digital SLRs have thesame synch socket as a Copal of any size.

Try a better dealer/store.

Ian

 

[jambirn]

Thanks for your message, Ian. Can you confirm that the cable is "female to female?"

 

[Ian Grant]

I make up my own cables, if they can't sell what you need then the connectors are cheap so are daptors, I think I use Kaiser parts.

BTW all shutters have a female socket, and so need a MALE fitting to plug into it so I'd be very dubious about the advice you've been given and find somewhere that knows waht they are talking about.

Ian

 

[MattKing]

Welcome to APUG!

I an guessing a bit here.

My guess is that you have a synch cord for your Canon flash that has a proprietary Canon plug on one end, and a male pc synch terminal on the other end.

AND

Your Copal 0 shutter also has a male pc synch terminal on it.

So you need a cord with two female pc terminals - one at each end.

Paramount cords is certainly one resource that can supply this.

 

[jambirn]

Thanks so much, Matt.

 

[MattKing]

By the way, I would suggest that Ian Grant's knowledge of the synch terminals on LF shutters would be way more reliable than mine.

So I would double check the "orientation" of the shutter's synch terminal.

 

[Ian Grant]

Male inserts its center bit ito the female, sorry for being somewhat crude, just double checked US sellers and they have the same terminology and topology

Copals and Compurs and all major flash synch shutters except a few Kodak UK lenses (Europe)and many early US flash syns (inc Eastman Kodak) have a female flash socket so need a male part on the lead.

More importantly these leads are the normal extremely ones not something strange and rare, and if needed theres adaptors for multiple flash synch which will adapt.

Ian

 

[AgX]

Male inserts its center bit ito the female..., just double checked US sellers and they have the same terminology and topology

I'm glad we do not need to start a gender discussion...

 

[brucemuir]

Now maybe we should warn him in case the shutter has a sync selection switch? (I believe Copol does not but imagine it depends on era manufactured???)

If there is a switch on the rim near the sync outlet with a choice of X, M etc, make sure you select "X" for electronic flash amd M for M series Flashbulbs if you ever have the inclination to try some

 

[jambirn]

Hi Guys,
I'm more confused than ever now! What do you think? How do I connect a Copal "O" shutter to a Canon Speedlite? Is it a female to female cable? Help!!!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to APUG

http://www.paramountcords.com/graflex.htm makes custom cords and connectors. They may be able to help.

 

[Ian Grant]

It's a Male to Male cord, the Female PC fitting is on the Shutter itself, it's the same as the fittings sunk into the body on cameras. These cords are availabe in various lengths.

It's your dealer who's caused the confusion.

Ian

 

[brucemuir]

Yes Male to Male and you must have the 580EXII because the first version (580 EX) has no sync connector unless added aftermarket.