I believe Graflex used to make focal plane shutters in different sizes--including 8x10. They're almost impossible to find these days. I have a small collection of roller blind shutters and have thought about trying to build a a large focal plane version.
Well, if you've got enough light to use them, a focal plane shutter gives you a range of usable, controllable, and--with a shutter that big--surprisingly accurate speeds. My 5x7" Press Graflex goes from 1/5 to 1/1500 sec.
I love the curtain shutter in my 4x5 Speed Graphic; it enables me to use adapted optics up front (like my current favorite, a 150mm f.l. binocular objective lens) wide open, and offers a wide selection of shutter speeds.
I do wish I could find an 8x10 with a curtain to go along with the 8x10 film holders I just received. :rolleyes:
I just bought a 4x5 Speed Graphic on Ebay. I may have some questions soon!
Unfortunately, I have to sell my Zone VI 4x5 to pay for it. Anyone interested?
Steve www.scdowellphoto.com
I have not received it yet, I have a whole plate focal plane shutter on the way. I believe it will be the perfect marriage with my WP ROC Premo No. 6 camera and possibly will fit my Century Universal 8x10. Jon
Mentor built LF cameras of the type SLR, field- and view-camera. They all used a curtain shutter which either was placed as focal-plane or behind-the-lens shutter. The shortest I time I know of was 1/125. This is not advantageous on between-the-lens shutters.