M, X or V?

efikim · Feb 21, 2004

I have the opportunity to borrow some studio flash equipment to use with my old LF camera. The lenses have M, X or V settings for flash sync: can someone tell me what they are for, please, and which is right for electronic studio flash?

thanks,
mike

bmac · Feb 21, 2004

X is studio flash, M is for bulbs, not sure what V is for.

efikim · Feb 21, 2004

Thanks for such a quick answer.

maybe V is for powder? were all three ever in use at the same time?

David A. Goldfarb · Feb 21, 2004

V is the self-timer setting. Be careful with it, though, if the shutter hasn't had a recent CLA, as old shutters sometimes get stuck on the V setting, if it hasn't been exercised in a long time. The way it usually works is you cock the shutter, then set it to V, and fire (and run around to the front of the camera to be in the picture).

efikim · Feb 22, 2004

Thanks David; I'll try to make sure its never accidentally set to V. (And I can't see me ever actually wanting to use it.)

GreyWolf · Feb 22, 2004

Hello David,

Do you have any idea how long "V" is?

Thanks

Ed Sukach · Feb 22, 2004

"M" was a 50 millisecind delay in shutter opening from the time the contacts closed, sending electricty to the "M" class flash bulb. The bulbs would take abouit 50 milliseconds to reach the appropriate light output, and the shutter would open.

"X" was no delay - electronic flash was *much* faster - so no delay ws required or wanted.

"V" was the self-timer - normally, the shutter would be triggered about ten seconds after the shutter relaese was pressed.

David A. Goldfarb · Feb 22, 2004

It seems to depend on how old the shutter is and the size. It seems to be a pretty long time, when I've used it. Let's see, there's a Voigtlander Vitessa-L with a little Synchro-Compur shutter, CLA'd in the past year or so, within arm's reach of the computer--counting "one one thousand..." it's about 15 sec. The one on my 90mm Super Angulon seems a little longer than that, last I checked.

127 · Feb 25, 2004

David A. Goldfarb said:
V is the self-timer setting. Be careful with it, though, if the shutter hasn't had a recent CLA, as old shutters sometimes get stuck on the V setting

The most common problem (so I'm told - never risked trying it!) is that some camera's have the self timer on a seperate lever from the M/X switch. In such cases you must NEVER use the self timer in M mode. Self timer only works with X.

My Rollei has a single M/X/V switch so its impossible to screw up, but my Yashica has an M/X lever and a timer lever. It's generally recommended that you find a way to jam the M/X lever in the X position to avoid the potential problem (and like you're ever going to use M mode anyway).

I've heard this advice from many sources, and related to many kinds of camera (which is a little odd). Is there some design reason why the problem should apply to a range of shutter designs or is it only some that have this problem, and the advice has been spread further than necessary?

Ian

David A. Goldfarb · Feb 25, 2004

I think it's not really a range of shutter designs. Many different camera manufacturers mounted their lenses in the same Synchro-Compur shutters, which have this same design.

M, X or V?

efikim

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efikim

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Ed Sukach

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M, X or V?

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