Want to Buy WTB (or recommendations please!): Flash Gun with Reflector

Now that I have some flash bulbs I need something to fire them in. Lots of stuff on eBay -- so much so that I find the options overwhelming. I want something I can use with my Crown Graphic. I have GE #5 and Sylvania #25B bulbs. I also have M3 bulbs that seem to require a different (smaller) socket.

I've been looking at something called the Kodak Flasholder that seems to be readily available and not too expensive. The reflector comes in two types: lumaclad, which has a mirror finish, and polished aluminum which has, well, a polished finish. I wonder which one reflects more light?

Or maybe I want something else. Let's hear your recommendations and/or what you may have to part with. Thanks.

How are you planning to sync the flash with your Crown Graphic? Do you have a shutter with a flash sync built in, or do you have a synchronizer? What type of shutter or synchronizer do you have?

The problem with using a flash with a Crown Graphic is you have to figure out some way of getting the flash and shutter to talk to each other, and then you have to get them in sync with each other. After that, you have to calculate how much shutter speed and aperture you need for your flash setup. All of this can be done, but it all takes a bit of work and research. First figure out how your shutter wants to communicate with the flash gun. Then figure out what kind of flash gun you want. Then figure out what kind of cable you need to connect the two. After you've got all of that figured out, then you're ready to buy. Be careful though. You may find that you have the right flash gun and shutter, but you can't find a reasonably priced cable to connect the two. All of this stuff is old technology, so sometimes that little stuff can be expensive.

I'm not sure that the Kodak Flashholder would be a good choice as it isn't designed to work with large format cameras. I'm sure it could be adapted to work, but it may be a bit more work.

OK, Keep an eye out for a Graphlex gun. they all take a household plug at the handle and IF you have a PC plug on the shutter you need a "PC to household cord"
There's another variety that plugs into a solenoid but still uses the household on one end.

PC(Prontor-Compur) is the coaxial plug about 2-3mm diameter on the shutter.

Check the graphic site Graphlex too.

I use two Heiland 3cell flash guns for my press cameras. They connect to the shutters through Heiland solenoids. The problem with the Heiland solenoids are finding cords that will work with them. I had to make my own using a power cord for an electric razor and a part from Radio Shack (which means making more will be a problem). I believe the connectors on the Graflex solenoids are slightly different in size and easier to find cables for. If I’m not mistaken the old electric razor power cords should work fine with them, unmodified. But don’t hold me to that. The Graflex solenoids should work with Heiland flash guns, so long as you get the correct voltage solenoid to match the flash gun, and set the timing correctly.

Use a two or three cell Graflex flashgun. Look at the articles in www.graflex.org ====> https://graflex.org/flash/ & https://graflex.org/flash/

When Speed Graphics were more popular, many companies made flash guns that could be used with them. The most basic models used 2 or 3 flashlight batteries and a cord that connected the flash gun to the lens shutter. Some Crown Graphics had a bracket over a side rangefinder onto which a Graphic (and some others) would mount. The original Graphic flashes have become scarce and expensive since they were the model for the Star Wars light sabre. Many other flashes were attached to a bracket mounted on the bottom tripod socket. If the shutter has "M" sync, it should work with your flash bulbs without the bother of a solenoid. To use the full light output of the bulbs, use shutter speeds no higher than 1/25 second.

So my Crown shutter (A Wollensak) has two M settings (one red and one black). I didn't consider that I'd need to use a solenoid or do manual syncing. For my purposes, I'll want to capture all the light so will be shooting at 1/30 or slower.

There's this guy. Uses Press 25 bulbs. D cells seem to fit, but haven't tested.

bvy said:

So my Crown shutter (A Wollensak) has two M settings (one red and one black). I didn't consider that I'd need to use a solenoid or do manual syncing. For my purposes, I'll want to capture all the light so will be shooting at 1/30 or slower.

Click to expand...

M synchronization slightly delays the shutter opening to allow the flashbulb to get brighter before opening the shutter. I do not believe that you need a solenoid since the timing is built into your shutter. Red and black refer to shutter speeds to be used for each range.