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P3D RE: Question on use of flash guns


  • From: "David W. Kesner" <drdave@xxxxxxxxxx>
  • Subject: P3D RE: Question on use of flash guns
  • Date: Sat, 12 Jun 1999 17:43:44 -0600

In p3d digest 3350 Dr. T. asks:


> I wonder how useful flash guns and flash bulbs are for stereo
> photographers today?

Very useful under the right circumstances.

> I undestand that flash bulbs deliver much
> more light than regular compact flash units

In most cases, much more light. The average strobe is in the GN  
range of 80-100 (at 10 feet with ASA 100). The Vivitar 283 claims  
120 which is about as powerful as you can get without going to one 
of the monster "potato-mashers" and even then they are only about 
150-160. An M3 or Press 25 bulb is good for about 180 
(depending on what kind of reflector you use).

> and that some stereo
> photographers who need lots of light (like those exploring caves)
> sometimes prefer flash bulbs to electronic flash.  Is this correct?

Yes and no. A lot of cave photographers still use bulbs, but more 
and more are going with multiple strobes fired by slaves (the 
electronic kind - although many still use humans). One of the things 
you can do with a bulb and not a strobe is fill up a pie pan with 
about a dozen or so bulbs and fire them all at once to light up that 
50 foot wide by 150 foot tall pit. (Did you know that a bulb will fire if 
it is near another bulb that goes off? Ask any old time press 
photographer to show you the burn scar on his leg from a pocket full 
of flash bulb going off unexpectedly).

> Any other reasons someone would use flash bulbs?

Two main ones come to mind. One is that it is a much broader light 
than the narrow strobe. It is like the difference between a flood light 
and a spot light. This of course can be modified and varied 
depending on the reflector you use. Some like the folding fan 
reflectors can be set in different configurations. The other deals 
mainly with delayed exposures where the shutter is left open for the 
full duration of the bulb's burn time. As the bulb comes up to full 
intensity and then down again as it burns out it gives off colors. This 
can translate to a much "warmer" image. Especially when 
compared to the bright harsh light of a strobe.

> Also, are flash bulbs made today new or do these people rely in old
> stock?

Both. There is a company that has just recently started 
manufacturing bulbs again. They are in Europe somewhere (don't 
have that info handy). The bulk of their production is in the really big 
household lightbulb sized screw base bulbs (talk about a high GN). 
Everyone that I know that still uses bulbs gets them used from old 
stock either at yard sales, the back room of the camera store, or 
from someone who horded them throughout the years. You take 
your chances on price. I have seen them from $1.00 for a single 
bulb to a box of 12 for $0.50. Ebay always has some up for sale at 
rediculous prices.

Do not forget that bulbs come in clear and blue. Clear is for black 
and white and blue is corrected for color film. Some flash guns have 
blue accessory covers for clear bulbs. Many old photo books also 
have formulas for making your own blue shelac to coat clear bulbs.

Hope that is not too much info.

That's all for now,

David W. Kesner
Boise, Idaho, USA
drdave@xxxxxxxxxx


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