Flash sync for synchro Ilex, HOW??

Hi

I'm new to LF, and I found this great lens, a Kodak 305mm f/4.8 Portrait Lens w/ ilex

shutter.

My question is: can I flash sync be rigged to this lens? what are my best options and how

much should it cost? thanks for your help!

You have yourself a truly wonderful tool in that lens. I have one

and design entire projects around its special capabilities. I have

never tried it with smaller than 8x10 and fear that on 4x5 only the

sharp centre of the image will be used.

 

I never even try to use flash although mine does have a two-post

sync connection. I find that the special qualities of the lens hit

their peak at f6.3 (which, curiously, is marked by a black dot on

my Ilex shutter).

 

There are adapters about which connect to the two-post terminal

at one end and have a length of cable with a PC nipple on the

other end.

Paramount makes bi-post connectors for flash sync, or you can go to Mpex, and get a bi-post to PC sync cable for around $19.

The shutter is a No. 5 Universal Synchro from Ilex? Probably obvious -- to use the bi-post connector for electronic flash, the switch should be set at "X".

just don't set it to "M" which is for bulb flash.

you probably already know this, but your flash is "sync'd" at all speeds ...

 

happy-shootin' !

I just got a 14" Kodak Commercial Ektar in an Ilex 5 Universal (Synchro). It uses a standard bi-post connector. At the same camera show at which I bought the lens, I picked up a coiled bi-post cord for it for $2. Well - I really wasn't thinking. The bi-post connector on the shutter is the same as on any consumer electronics - electric razors, radios, etc. You can probably find a cord laying around your house, if not, then check a garage sale or something. Or a used electronics shop.

 

Yeah, it's not as good as Paramount, which I use for PC-connectors. So, since they're less reliable, I pack three with my flash.

In addition the Ilex shutter has a sort of funky sync mechanism. Since it was design for flash bulbs, it has a variable time delay function setable in milliseconds. For X (electronic) sync you must set it "0". In addition- and here comes the really funky part- you must cock both the shutter and the flash sync timer in between every shot (that your using flash sync).

 

http://www.skgrimes.com/ilex/index.htm#navigate

 

"The set and release type "Synchro" models have a complicated set and release type delay mechanism for......"

The answer that G. Wiley gave for having to cock the shutter twice, once for the shutter blades and once for the flash synchronizaton mechanism, is for the Ilex Acme shutters, which are of the cocking type. The cocking stores power in a spring, the power being released when the shutter is tripped. I think the Kodak 305 mm Portrait lens only came in the No. 5 Ilex Universal, which is a non-cocking shutter, both for the shutter blades and the synchronization mechanism -- both are powered by the force of pressing the shutter release, either the lever or with a cable release.