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MFDB without a Flash Sync Lens

Hello,
I'm a new guy here, so hello.
Just starting to learn about medium format digital backs so I've been reading as much of the great information here as I can. But I haven't found an answer to a question for which I've searched here and on the web in general.

I've been shooting film in a small medium format view camera with some older lenses. But starting to want to use digital.
Is there a way to use a medium format digital back without using lenses that have a flash sync? I want to use some older vintage lenses and they don't have sync.

Thank you!!
Robert
 
Ok, the digital backs have a sync port, but do they require that the back be used with a lens that has flash sync? In other words, will the back work with an old lens from a 100 years ago?
thank ya,
Robert
 

yaya

Active member
Hello,
I'm a new guy here, so hello.
Just starting to learn about medium format digital backs so I've been reading as much of the great information here as I can. But I haven't found an answer to a question for which I've searched here and on the web in general.

I've been shooting film in a small medium format view camera with some older lenses. But starting to want to use digital.
Is there a way to use a medium format digital back without using lenses that have a flash sync? I want to use some older vintage lenses and they don't have sync.

Thank you!!
Robert
Welcome on board Robert,

Technically you can trigger the back with an external shutter, so for example if you have a leaf shutter lens with a pc port (Hassy V, Mamiya RZ or just a Copal shutter) that you can cock and release, then you'll have the on/ off signal for the back (with a sync cable).
The trouble is to have the correct timing: All current DB's use a "Full-Frame" sensor which needs to be read at once and then flushed at once. Before and after these steps the sensor needs to be in total darkness.

So if you're in a blacked-out studio and you're using an external shutter that is set to say 1 second and during that second you pop a flash with a short duration, then you will get a proper image

If the conditions are not as described above then you will get various smearing effects, depending on the timing "errors" (some of these can create interesting looks especially with old lenses)

There's a device made by Kapture Group that allows you to separate the capture signal from the flash sync signal with Phase One backs so this can help in some situations

If you can find a way to mount your lenses into/onto/ behind/ in front of a Copal shutter then you will have a working solution

There's a lot of trial and error involved which can be fun or can be very frustrating....

Good luck!!

yair
 

lance_schad

Workshop Member
Hello,
I'm a new guy here, so hello.
Just starting to learn about medium format digital backs so I've been reading as much of the great information here as I can. But I haven't found an answer to a question for which I've searched here and on the web in general.

I've been shooting film in a small medium format view camera with some older lenses. But starting to want to use digital.
Is there a way to use a medium format digital back without using lenses that have a flash sync? I want to use some older vintage lenses and they don't have sync.

Thank you!!
Robert
You could use the Kapture Group Multi Shot & Long Exposure Box


You connect this to your Phase One Digital Back and you can use the wakeup and start/stop capture buttons to take captures from your digital back. It simulates the flash sync signal.

From website:'The Kapture Group Multi Shot & Long Exposure control unit is designed to allow multiple exposures on a single digital capture and allow you to make long exposures for applications such as digital light painting or multi pop flash shots.

This device is available with the P series multi pin or the older H sub mini connector. It provides the wake up signal and controls the duration of the sync signal to the digital back. This permits the user to layer multiple flash or multiple exposures onto a single digital capture"


So if you have a way to mount the back to something and have a lens or pinhole cap on your camera, you can make an exposure. Very Cool.

Lance
 
Thank you Yair and Lance for the very helpful answers - I appreciate you taking the time to help me.
Since they make a "Long Exposure Box" I assume that one can not make a time exposure on a MFDB without this box?

In general, If one has a modern lens in Copal shutter with the flash sync cable and all, can one make an "Ambient" time exposure of a few seconds on a digital back? Sorry, I'm trying to learn and its tough being a newbie after 40+ years in film.
thanks!
Robert
 
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