Graflex.org

Massimo M · Joined: 04 Apr 2015 Posts: 21 Location: Lavis- Italy

I have a 3 cell Graflite incoming, in the picture I observed a Press 40 box with.
Press 40 bulbs or equivalent are so expensive.
I read about adapters to, for example, Press 25 or similar.
Mi question is: So I'm not a flash lover but a Speed graphic without its flash hasn't the same feel...so what means the use of these different bulbs? A loss of light power? in this case is it recoverable changing shutter aperture&time?

thanks

Massimo

Markus · Joined: 13 May 2015 Posts: 15 Location: MA, USA

I assume you found the flash info on this site:
http://www.graflex.org/flash/technical.html

A Press 40 puts out lots of light. Probably more than you need most of the time. I was able to take a group shot of about 20 kids in a large hall with the camera set to about 1/100, f/22, iso 400, 90mm lens.

If you get an adapter to put a Press 25 in your 7" reflector, that should still be plenty of light (shouldn't be much more than 1 stop of light loss). Just adjust down the aperture or exposure time.

Or get a 5" reflector for your Graflite if you don't want to light wide-angle shots.

Massimo M · Joined: 04 Apr 2015 Posts: 21 Location: Lavis- Italy

Thank you, yes, I used the flasbulbs reference you shown me.
I'm happy to know that press 25 is enough for an average use, I think that the film speed can compensate the flash loss.

Massimo M · Joined: 04 Apr 2015 Posts: 21 Location: Lavis- Italy

Ever on this flash (catalog Graflex 2773), anyone knows how access to the batteries?
As I see there is a black plastic cap in the bottom of the cylindric steel support, unfortunately it is so hard, then I think the three (A?) batteries are in and the acid drawn...
It is a screw? a lock in cap?
Thank Sirs for any help!!!!

Massimo

Markus · Joined: 13 May 2015 Posts: 15 Location: MA, USA

The black cap at the bottom simply screws off. It seems like a pretty sturdy design, you can probably apply some force to unscrew...

There is a very strong spring integrated in the cap that presses against the stack of batteries. That could potentially be stuck to a corroded battery.

Sirius Glass · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 8:22 pm Post subject:

Press 25 and number 5 bulbs are the same bulb by two different manufacturers, GE and Sylvannia. Both are good for the Speed and Crown Graphics. Both are available in blue bulbs for color photographs.

The number 40 bulbs as well as the number 2 bulb are brighter and more expensive. They may be overkill for most work with ISO 100 and 400 speed films.

Massimo M · Joined: 04 Apr 2015 Posts: 21 Location: Lavis- Italy

Thank you, I'm supplying these bulbs.

I unscrewed the bottom cap of the flashlite, a hard work culminate with the boiling of the part in water, and 3 1950s Ray-o-vac batteries come into view.

Massimo M · Joined: 04 Apr 2015 Posts: 21 Location: Lavis- Italy

Another little item found.
Is possible being a flash adapter, but what?

The bottom is an Edison screw who matches exactly with the 7" reflector bulb holder.

On top there is another very small screw who hosts a small lamp or bulb, all protected by a metal square ring welded on the adapter to make a limit at the dimension of the bulb hosted.

What is?

bye

Massimo