Rolleiflex Flash Sync

Hi,

I have a Rolleiflex 2.8F and a Metz 45 CL-1 flash unit. The Rollei has both the M and X flash sync settings and my understanding is that I should set it to X. I have opened up the camera, fired the shutter with the flash attached, and I can see the flash through the open shutter so it seems to be syncing correctly.

However is says here:

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/rollei/rolleiflex_35-28/rolleiflex_35-28-2.htm

(diagram towards the bottom of the page on flash)

that X is to be used for shutter speeds of 1/30 or less. This confuses me as I thought the X setting meant that it would sync at all speeds .... huh?

X-sync for flash bulbs only when the shutter is at 1/30th sec. or slower. X-sync all the time for electronic flash like your Metz unit. If you use M-sync for electronic flash, the flash will have fired before the shutter opens and you'll get nothing. The delay built in to M-sync allows the relatively slow burning flash bulb to start burning shortly before the shutter opens so that it reaches peak output as the shutter opens. At slow shutter speeds, there is enough shutter open time for the flash bulb to reach peak output, with no need for the delay.

Ok got it. Thank you Frank ...

I believe that the diagram you are referring to is for flash bulbs only. With the Metz or any other electronic flash unit, I think you keep it in X mode irregardless of shutter speed. Keep in mind I don't have a Rollei but a Yashica but I think the same rules apply re: M/X switch.

Edit: oops fschifano beat me to it!

hughitb said:

Ok got it. Thank you Frank ...

Click to expand...

You are welcome. Indeed, the way the instructions are worded, one can imply that by using M-sync with flashbulbs and a shutter speed faster than 1/30 sec., the extra delay in firing the shutter may in fact prevent using the maximum amount of available light from the flash bulb. I'm sure you'd get something, but you'd need to reduce the guide number of the flash bulb to achieve the expected exposure. Flash bulbs are really neat, and compared to most electronic flashes, put out enormous amounts of light. But they are expensive, incovenient, and can even be dangerous. They work by burning magnesium filaments in a glass envelope, and get very hot. Burns from handling freshly fired flashbulbs were not uncommon. I have heard of cases (never seen it happen myself) where static electricity can cause the lamps to fire while in a photographers pocket. Now ain't that fun? Brings new meaning to the words, "pants on fire."