Graflex.org

[aolsson]

I just got a Speed Graphic which seems to be in pretty good shape - and with a Graflok back. The only thing left to understand is how to set the focal plane shutter to the desired speed. I have found three controls: One thing that looks like the wind-up key for a mechanical toy. There is a small "window" close to this, then a lever of sorts and way down a knop with another "window" where numbers shor when you turn it.

I assume that the lever is the shutter release and that the other two in combination determine the shutter speed. Aside from that I am in the dark.

[Baker]

There should be a little metal chart somewhere on the camera (on mine, it's on top; I've seen it on the side with the controls) that shows what curtain aperture and tension for each shutter speed. The windup key is the aperture (A,B,C,D, plus T for time and O for open, will show in the round window) and the knob at the bottom is the tension (1-6). The V-shaped lever between is the release. Turn the key and the knob counterclockwise to the proper combination for your desired shutter speed (for example, B-5 for 1/125 second) and push the vertical part of the lever toward the back of the camera to release the shutter.

More random info: The horizontal spur on the shutter release lever is for a cable release.

[aolsson]

Unfortunately there is no such table anywhere on the camera. Are the settings universal? If so could anybody post the combinations please?

[Les]

A B C D
1 10 70 200 500
2 15 80 240 600
3 20 90 280 700
4 25 100 320 800
5 30 125 360 900
6 40 150 400 1000

[aolsson]

Thanks Les! Now I see the light

[Les]

But hopefully only for a fraction of a second