I am restoring a Crown Graphic with a bi-post shutter. I assumed that was all I needed to syncro the flash. Then I saw a picture of my shutter with a solinoid attached. Could somebody clue me in?

I'm curious about the age of my camera. It's a top mounted Graflex RF so post 1955? Serial number 945124. Thanks for the help.

What sort of bi-post shutter? Some of the Kodak Supermatics would only X synch, requiring the solanoid for bulbs.
Then again, some folks used the solanoid as a remote release to trip the shutter from the flashgun, and synched from the shutter.
Top

Check for a <a href=http://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/manufacturing-code.html> manifacturing code </a>(the most accurate date of manifacture).
The BI-Post contacts of the shutter connect direct to the flash. If the shutter has a selectable sync set it to the type of flash you are using: X=strobe(electronic flash); M=flashbulbs. The selonid was used in the days when no flash sync was built into the shutter. A selonid and batery pack for a bulb flash can be used as an electronic shuter trip system if desired.
If the shutter has no marking as to X or M sync then with the flash connected to the sync contacts and turned on, cock the shutter and set it on 1/50 or 1/60 with the aperture wide open, point the flash and lens at a wall 8 to 10 feet away, and trip the shutter while looking at the rear of the lens or the ground glass of the camera on which it is mounted, full circle of the lens/ground glass fully iluminated=correct sync for the type of flash in use; shutter blades visable/little or no ilumation on ground glass=not synced flash.
Charles

Hey, I appreciate you guys helping me out here. The shutter is a Graphex Full Synchromatic. It has sync settings for FX, M (high speed)and M (low speed). So, I should be good to go with a sync cord between the shutter and the flash right?

I'll be sure to use your method to check the sync.

There is no date code on my camera so does that mean it was made between 1955 and 1961?

Thanks, Jim

Yes and most likely.