GRAFLEX-KODAK

SHUTTERS & LENSES

 

Rapax X Synchromatic 

Made by Wollensak

An accurately fitted train of watch gears and pinions, working in connection with a series of levers and carefully tempered springs, assures dependably uniform, properly- timed exposures, the essence of good and well-timed negatives. 

 

 

The Rapax and Graphex  shutters are pre-setting type of shutters. Before exposure can be made, the shutter S must be set or "cocked." This is accomplished by moving the setting lever, extending from the top of the shutter, to the right, the full length of the slot in the dust shield attached to the lever. The shutter is now set and ready for making the exposure by pressing on the cable release or the release lever r located on the left hand site of the shutter. d = Diaphragm indicator. f is flash setting indicator. M-F-X and Off. 

Attention:

Turn the speed cam- the knurled disk- until the desired speed is opposite the indicating line. 

If "T" or Time exposure is used: Set T on indication line and cock shutter. Release by pressure the lever on the right hand. This action will cause the shutter to open and remain open until the release lever is again tripped to close the blades. Never reset the shutter when the blades are open. 

Ground glass focusing can be done by cocking the shutter and depressing the P Press focus lever clockwise. This action will open the blades and keep them open until you have focused. To close the blades, just lift the Press Focus lever counterclockwise to its original position. Since the shutter has already been cocked the shutter is ready for exposing.

A= Diaphragm Indicator- B= Release Lever- C= Retarding Device- D=Cable Release bearing- E= Setting Lever- F =Main Switch- G= High Speed Spring- H= Main Spring- I= Press Focus lever- J=Point of contact- K Connector bi post flash


 

The Graphic Supermatic (x) shutter made by Kodak 

  
 

Equipped with the Kodak Ektar f: 4,5 - 152 mm lens, the Kodak Supermatic (X) is a very nice piece of craftsmanship, mainly because of its simplicity. The (x) stands for electronic flash. Unlike its predecessor, the Kodak Flash Supermatic, the Kodak Supermatic misses the mechanical delay for M and F bulb contact, which was situated in the empty space between the A and the  B on the photo above. Now a simple spring wires the "open shutter B " contact with the "A " bi-post flash contact on the outside of the shutter house.


Flash Supermatic

 

 

More complicated looks the Flash Supermatic with M and F control for use with (F)ast and (M)edium bulbs. It is furthermore equipped with the build in self-timer, the press knob and the bi-post flash contacts.

 


Kodak No. 2 Supermatic

1 sec - 1/400 T-B.

For:

Ektar 107mm f/3.7
Ektar 127mm f/4.7
Ektar 7 1/2 in. f/4.5
Ektar 8 inch f/7.7
Wide Field Ektar 100mm f/6.3

Body diameter 63 mm. Mounting Hole 38 mm. Self timer. No bi-post Flash connectors.

The No. 2 Supermatic shutter (1939~1947)  was used on the Miniature Speed Graphic . The later version is the Supermatic X which has built-in flash synchronization. Kodak manufactured two other versions of the Supermatic—the No. 1 that has 9 shutter speeds and the No. 3 that has 8 shutter speeds. The Supermatic No. 3 is the same shutter as the Supermatic X, but the No. 3 does not have flash synchronization. 


 

Kodak No. 3 Supermatic 

1 sec -  1/200

Ektar 152mm f/4.5
Wide Field Ektar 135mm f/6.3 Body diameter 65 mm. 

 


To determine the year of manufacturing

The Kodak Camerosity Code

C=1: A=2: M=3: E=4: R=5:O=6: S=7: I=8: T=9: Y=0

EE=1944


 

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