If you are lucky to find a synchronizer either a Graphic, Graflex Graflite or Heiland at a reasonable price, it is worth a congratulation. Very sad, the demand of Starwars fans is spoiling the market. The Jedi wannabees are eager to pay more than USD 125 for it. This leaves most of us behind except those with deep pockets that is. The original Graphic Speedlight is the most favorable amongst the Starwar devotees to build their own lightsaber....replicas are even produced. Next is the MPP, also steep prices.. Luckily for us Graphic devotees there are the Heiland and Graflex Graflite Speedlights.

Once you've got one , you want to use it. So the search goes on for the proper cables and Flashbulbs. Finally when all accessories are in, you might want to make a photograph once in a while.... The sound and the smell of the incinerated flashbulbs can really take you back some years! Read our solutions with Heiland...

Type "5" flash bulbs .Good choice for overall use with your front shutter.

Contact posts
# Focuspot and the other three outlets.

The Heiland flashgun has one contact switch(red button) and 4 contact posts.
Starting from the far left (red button ponting backwards) we'll see:

1 x contact point bi-post female :(This contact is hot and meant for the focuspot. Cable to use: Bi-post male/ Bi-post female)
3 x contact points accepting the regular household plug
The outlet directly opposing the red button is the shutter outlet. When inserting a plug the red button is disabled. The two other outlets are serial. You can use one for operating the solenoid and one for a remote extension. The focuspot cable is very hard to get and if you find one it might be too brittle to use safely. If this circuit is shortcut exteme heat will result...It is wise to make your own cable. I've found a coiled cord used on electric shavers that will do fine. See larger image.

Heiland button.

On this image you can spot the Red button and the Hot outlet as described earlier.
The red button is actually maroon...The other red button is the bulb ejector.

Battery case and side lighting extension.

See the large header image on top of this page for a complete view.
Also the outlets on the sidelight accepts the same household plugs.

Cables...

Cables can be a cream, they are made on order by several firms, but at a price.... To work with a side-lighting unit you will need a 20 feet cable at least. Household plugs on both ends. Try to find plugs needed and make your own is a solution. Shown on the left are an extension/remote cable and a special Solenoid cable.

Batteries
The units were designed to use 1.5 V D type batteries. I do use a one battery extension making a 4 cell pack. Using 1 D type battery and one used battery from my maglight gives me 6 volt.

Bulb adapter
Shown are several bulbadapters needed for the different reflector and bulb types other than the large screw-in type.
Test lamps mounted.

Heiland Reflector
From left to right:
7 inch medium base reflector - 6 inch medium base reflector - 6 inch bajonet base reflector .

Pacemaker Speed Graphic/Heiland Speedlight
Rearview of the PSG with the Heiland Speedlight mounted.
Note the home made cable for the Kalart Focuspot. Also see the special clamps needed to use the original Heiland bracket. See below!

Heiland bracket
View of the Heiland bracket mounted on the rangefinder.
Acquiring a Heiland speedlight...Be sure to get the proper bracket and clamps.
Not as easy to find as the Graflex Graflite bracket, eventually you can mount graflite clamps. on your Heiland Speedlite and mount on the Graflite bracket

Graflex Graflite on Heiland bracket
Alternately you can mount the Heiland clamps on the more versatile Graflex synchronizer. Looking not as sharp as the chrome Heiland, you will have the best of two worlds....

Technika/Heiland
Heiland Flash unit mounted on a Linhof Technika V
Special clamps are hard to find. A real good looking unit.

Time has come to start experimenting, testing contact posts and some, but....
there's more to know: guide numbers, lighting schemes etc.
You will find valuable informaton on lighting and more in one of the editions of "The master book for the larger camera". The 1952 edition is the one we prefer.....Have fun!

My Pacemaker SG's

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