I found that M2's with simply a socket adapter in a 5" reflector don't provide even light - did Graflex manufacture a 3" bayonet to M2 minature base adapter with a smaller polished reflector? If so, I will try to track one down.

I have a large number of the M2 and M2B lamps and currently use them with a folding-fan flashgun (good old tilt-a-mite; however, the reflector is not very efficient and almost a stop of light is lost).

M2's work great with the Graphex M-F-X shutter and provide full light output at 1/100 sec. (with the Graphex RED M-sync setting only) due to a very unique feature of the Graphex shutter. I verified this with Poloroid film. Thus, the GRAPHEX shutter and M2 lamps, there is a useful combination. Only the M2-type of lamps will work in this way due to their quicker peak (13-15ms)than the true M-type lamps (#5, 25, 22, M3, AG1, etc. at 19-20 ms - which normal M-sync applies). This works only with the GRAPHEX shutter since it has a unique dual-adjustable-delay M-sync (RED/BLACK) unlike the Compur.

According to the Morgan & Morgan 1958 'Graphic-Graflex Photography' book, page 19, chapter "Flash Syncronization and Shutters" since the Graphex shutter has two M-sync settings. The BLACK M-setting yields the typical M setting delay of 19 ms. The RED M-setting yields a delay of 9-10ms. Hence, according to the book, "With [Typical M2] Lamps having a delay of 13-15ms it will be seen that and exposure of 1/100 will easily catch the entire useful output of the lamp, and at the same time will permit some action stopping on the part of the shutter."

The M2 lamps would work out great - I just need to search for a suitable polished reflector.

Search through recent threads. I think someone mentioned a 3 inch reflector just recently. For using M3s, or AG1s, I think.

Jim 23

What you describe (and want) is something that I recall selling in the early 70's when I was in photo retail sales at a local (now defunct) downtown camera store.

It was made by Sylvania and was called the Sylvania Reflector Adapter and it had a 3 inch polished reflector with a socket inside it that would accept the minature (M2 and M3) type bulbs, and it would then mate with a flashgun that accepted the larger bayonet type bulbs (#5 and 25 type bulbs).

They can occasionly be found on e-b*y, in older camera stores "junk bins" and at regional camera shows, and when they were new they sold for $ 1.50, and if you like, send me a private message with your e-mail and I will send you a scan of the ad I have from an old catalog that I saved from years ago.

graflite