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Time exposures
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AuthorMessage
Motdarnoc
Joined: 12 Jun 2023
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Tue Jun 13, 2023 1:39 pm   Post subject: Time exposures

I’m thinking of buying a Speed Graphic to experiment with pinhole photography. It seems ideal for that- like a zoom lens pinhole. But, before I pull the trigger I have a (probably) dumb question: can you shoot time exposures of a minute or longer with the focal plane shutter? I can’t tell for certain from the literature or photos.
Thanks!
Tom
Dan Fromm
Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 2165
PostPosted: Tue Jun 13, 2023 1:48 pm

Use a cable release. It will let you shoot time exposures as long as you want. With any Speed Graphic, set the focal plane shutter's curtain aperture to "T," release the shutter and it will stay open until you release it again.
Motdarnoc
Joined: 12 Jun 2023
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Tue Jun 13, 2023 4:41 pm

Thanks!
Any idea where I might find a cable release?
Henry
Joined: 09 May 2001
Posts: 1662
PostPosted: Wed Jun 14, 2023 2:02 am

Your local camera store, or: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/threaded-cable-releases/ci/27981/N/3777857687
Motdarnoc
Joined: 12 Jun 2023
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Wed Jun 14, 2023 4:16 am

Thanks! I never thought it would be a standard connection.🤪
William Hallett
Joined: 07 Jan 2012
Posts: 103
PostPosted: Thu Jun 15, 2023 3:56 pm

It is a standard threaded hole, located at the front of the body release - the cable simply pushes against the body release plunger. But the body release mechanism usually has a lot of slack in it, and you may find that you need a cable release with a longer travel than normal. I have several cable releases, and only one has enough travel to do the job. The issue is that the body release needs more force to activate it than a typical leaf shutter, so that stretching of the cable sheath will reduce the effective travel of the release. You will need to try out prospective cable releases with the camera.

I am referring to the Pacemaker Speed here, but the Anniversary has the same issues.
Motdarnoc
Joined: 12 Jun 2023
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2023 2:52 am

Thanks!
I just purchased a mid 1960's Speed Graphic, I should have it by mid next week. So, the cable release challenge will start then! I’ll probably buy it from the b&h link above. Maybe just buy the longest travel one? I’m assuming it can’t be too long…
Thanks again for the info.
Tom
Motdarnoc
Joined: 12 Jun 2023
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2023 2:59 am

Hmmmmm, I just went on the b & h site and no mention of travel length.
William, any idea what the brand name is of the cable release that you have that works?
William Hallett
Joined: 07 Jan 2012
Posts: 103
PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2023 3:19 pm

Sorry, no, there doesn't seem to be a maker's name on it. It is fairly short (about a foot) and the cable sheath is a fairly stout looking stainless steel spring with a clear plastic sheath over it. My experience was that other cable releases would give a similar length of travel when there was no load on them, but their sheaths would stretch when subjected to the rather substantial force needed to press the body release. So you are looking for something that appears to be fairly heavy duty.
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