RE: M Type Bulbs

[P3D David W. Kesner <drdave@xxxxxxxxxx>]

In digest 1566 Cliff writes;

<I know this is a longshot, but is there actually a source to get the old
<type "M" bulbs such as No.5 and No.25? Blue or white? I have rigged up a
<flash out of  old 110 camera flash guts. But I'd like to be as nostalgic
<as possible.

I have been using bulbs in my flat cave photography since I started taking
photos and continue to use them in my underground stereo shots. You cannot
buy new bulbs anywhere. You may be able to find the occasional store that
some old stock lying in the back room, but it is usually limited to a few
dozen boxes. You can find them at yard sale, flea markets, and photo swap
meets. Cavers have a real affinity for bulbs and try to buy up all the
stock they find. There is the true story of a world renowned cave
photographer in England that has brought up so many bulbs and stored them
in his house that the fire department refuses to go near his house if it
should ever catch on fire (he literally has thousand and thousand of
bulbs). The M3B is the most sought after as it has the same guide number as
the 5B or Press 25B but is much smaller. You also realize that the clear
bulbs are for B&W and the blue bulbs are color corrected? You can make your
own dye and dip clear bulbs to use for color film. I thinks I have the
formula around here somewhere although I have never tried it.

One of the best and easiest flash guns to buy and use is the old Honeywell
Tilt-O-Mite. It has a 5 or 7 inch folding fan reflector so it stores in a
nice small package. The batteries may be a little hard to find, but I have
found Radio Shack to be able to order them. The real problem is with the
capacitor. They originally came with the battery type that just snapped
into contacts like the battery. You cannot find these anymore. I just found
a comparable capacitor (from an old TV) and soldered it to the contacts. It
has not failed me in over six years of dragging, dropping, and banging
around caves.

Back to your original question, there are several caving equipment
suppliers that have the larger M bulbs for sale. Let me know how serious
you are and I will dig their names up for you.

Thanks for the time,

David W. Kesner
Boise, Idaho, USA
drdave@xxxxxxxxxx
(No I'm not a doctor - just a nickname)


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