Using Amazon as Forum for obsolete Flash Bulb Holder battery WOW quick results!

[Tin Can]

I wasn't going to post more tonight, BUT.

I have been playing with old Flash Bulbs and their holders. Seems the batteries are obsolete. This Agfa Flash uses a discontinued battery that's OVAL and the modern new one is SQUARE. An Amazon reviewer wrote the new battery would not fit his Leica Flash so I wrote on his review that I guess that meant it won't fit my Agfa Flash.

An hour later the computer beeps and he has posted. He took the outer covering off the battery, wrapped it in tape making it oval and it fits! I forgot that most batteries are round even if they look different.

Amazon, an old film camera Forum!

Eureka!

I also show a LawrenceWalsh FlashRule which is a wood slide rule for figuring out flash exposures.

The slide rule is handy as I have a variety of old bulbs. I'm going to need a few batteries. Like thishttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BNF0Y8Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


:)

131153131154

[DKirk]

If you need more bulbs check out http://www.meggaflash.com/http://www.meggaflash.com/

[Tin Can]

If you need more bulbs check out http://www.meggaflash.com/http://www.meggaflash.com/

Megaflash is cool, but expensive as is http://www.flashbulbs.com/index.shtml

Both are great if you have a paid project. :)

I buy off EBay and CL. I think I have a good supply now... ~1000 bulbs some huge, most small.

Usable data is short, like I can't find comparison between M2, M3, M5 which are most of my bulbs. I know B (Blue) coatings are for color and are 2 stops less power.

M3's are compared to P5 and P25 as almost equal on the M3 packaging.

My Sekonic L-758 meter does not read flash bulbs accurately.

So it's back to empirical testing. Soon...

[Jac@stafford.net]

Megaflash is cool, but expensive as is http://www.flashbulbs.com/index.shtml
Both are great if you have a paid project. :)

Bill Cress sells, or tries to sell to the motion picture industry. His prices reflect the bloat.


Usable data is short, like I can't find comparison between M2, M3, M5 which are most of my bulbs. I know B (Blue) coatings are for color and are 2 stops less power.

It is easy enough to create tables that show the nominal guide numbers. Perhaps I'll start.


My Sekonic L-758 meter does not read flash bulbs accurately.

Look for a early post of mine which shows that one CAN read flashbulbs from a flash meter, but you must use a meter with a cord connection because flashbulbs' onset is not as profound as electronic flash.
.

[Tin Can]

Bill Cress sells, or tries to sell to the motion picture industry. His prices reflect the bloat.



It is easy enough to create tables that show the nominal guide numbers. Perhaps I'll start.



Look for a early post of mine which shows that one CAN read flashbulbs from a flash meter, but you must use one with a cord connection because flashbulbs' onset is not as profound as electronic flash.
.

Thanks Jac! Soon.

I'm going to burn a roll of 35mm and take some serious notes. I hate making notes, I lose them...

But it's obviously necessary for this.

The first step was getting enough bulbs, wires and flash holders to play with...

Done!

[cluttered]

I know B (Blue) coatings are for color and are 2 stops less power.

I didn't think the difference was that large, at least in my very informal tests. I'll run some more careful tests soon.

[Jac@stafford.net]

I didn't think the difference was that large, at least in my very informal tests. I'll run some more careful tests soon.

You are right, of course. With blue bulbs and B&W film the loss is not so great. Color? I cannot comment because I've never used bulbs with color.

[Jac@stafford.net]

To begin understanding the output of flashbulbs, we need to understand what lumen means,
and how to compare lumen to output of modern flashes. I believe most modern, or later
photographers will be amazed at first.

More in store.
.

[Tin Can]

To begin understanding the output of flashbulbs, we need to understand what lumen means,
and how to compare lumen to output of modern flashes. I believe most modern, or later
photographers will be amazed at first.

More in store.
.

I am holding my breath. I see 7000 to 180,000 lumens for some flash bulbs.

eBay has this at $70 for one bulb...GE #75 Mazda WWII Flashbulb Powerful Atomic 180,000 Lumen Seconds Light Output

But I have a few 50's that I think are 70,000 lumens so i could pop 3 of those and get arrested in Chicago..

and I just found this, 100,000 Lumens for a #50! http://www.donsbulbs.com/cgi-bin/r/b.pl/50-flashbulb~ansi.html

[Jac@stafford.net]

[...] eBay has this at $70 for one bulb...GE #75 Mazda WWII Flashbulb Powerful Atomic 180,000 Lumen Seconds Light Output

We GOTTA collaborate, which really means you guide me through my ignorance. :)

Randy, I have flashbulbs which I am afraid to trigger. Among them are the #75 Mazdas (only two) and another (I have a dozen) burn for 1.75 seconds which makes the Mazda a junior.

Don't you find it scarey?

[Tin Can]

We GOTTA collaborate, which really means you guide me through my ignorance. :)

Randy, I have flashbulbs which I am afraid to trigger. Among them are the #75 Mazdas (only two) and another (I have a dozen) burn for 1.75 seconds which makes the Mazda a junior.

Don't you find it scarey?

Safety glasses, cotton clothing, leather gloves have always worked for me with welding. Bring it on. I suggest we treat big bulbs carefully, but I just got by USPS 519 M2 and M3 shoved into a small box, not in their packing, just all banging into each other and not a one was cracked or damaged. I counted, checked them all and bagged them 50 to a ziplock. Slight corrosion on the mini bayonet metal base, but not enough to stop a BC 22.5 volt jump start.

I have over 300 P25 all in boxes, a case of #50. A few #0. 40, 2 and who knows. all the big ones were gifted. Another 300 M3B.

I hate fireworks, but these could be useful in the woods and dark alleys.

If I do use them with people i have a Graflite with the double plastic flip down shatter shield that I am sure is absolutely safe. NOS

I'll probably waste 10% just testing them.

[brucetaylor]

I forget how much light those old flash bulbs put out, and for such a long time! As I recall they saved Jimmy Stewart from Raymond Burr at the end of "Rear Window," Jimmy's handkerchief "recycle" time was critical!

[Jac@stafford.net]

Flashbulb gear? More than I can count, but in the unique or interesting category there are the battery-free Flash Tronics, one for early Leicas (http://www.digoliardi.net/leica-flashtronic.jpg), another I put together from parts (http://www.digoliardi.net/nobat_flash.jpg), plus several universals - all use a magneto which is the base.

A few of these triple headed units (http://www.digoliardi.net/flash1.jpg) which use D cells I got from a long-retired salesman, and of course a glut of Graflite and clones.

Cases of Edison/Mazda base bulbs. Got most of these when camera shops started closing, some from a basement of 'cannot sell' stuff, and a bunch from our local photographer, One-Shot Kelly' (http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/winonadailynews.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/fa/5fa046fd-6f73-5622-91db-b043a59c2fe7/4e7cf376b8383.image.jpg)s basement when he passed away. Oh, even a couple dozen infra-red bulbs.

What I do not have is a functioning slave unit. They all died somehow.
.

[Tin Can]

So we make or tweak a slave unit.

Let's think about that, as coils of wire are troublesome, but worked for many similar purposes.

Shooting big bulbs at a distance might be fun.

Even safer! :(

Maybe tripwire a deer in the headlights...

I hear the choppers already...........................in whisper mode.

[Jac@stafford.net]

So we make or tweak a slave unit.

Let's think about that, as coils of wire are troublesome, but worked for many similar purposes.
[... snip funny stuff ...]

Tip of the day to help pay my way here: When shooting a string of big bulbs using a 110V AC circuit, always put a traditional light bulb in the string to avoid a back-surge which will blow breakers or fuses. (Example, when lighting a factory interior replacing their bulbs with Edison base flashbulbs.)

I never thought I'd live to see the day when lighting bulbs of all kinds became obsoletum. What's next? Film?

[Tin Can]

Tip of the day to help pay my way here: When shooting a string of big bulbs using a 110V AC circuit, always put a traditional light bulb in the string to avoid a back-surge which will blow breakers or fuses. (Example, when lighting a factory interior replacing their bulbs with Edison base flashbulbs.)

I never thought I'd live to see the day when lighting bulbs of all kinds became obsoletum. What's next? Film?

Film lives!

Good tip on using mains, as that could be a test inside my hovel.

Might also save my Honda Generator. (http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/models/eu1000i)

[Jac@stafford.net]

Film lives!

Good tip on using mains, as that could be a test inside my hovel.

Might also save my Honda Generator. (http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/models/eu1000i)

I gotta get one of those now that I'm in the city. On the farm (http://www.digoliardi.net/farm2.jpg) we had a good old Farmall tractor engine and chassis on a concrete pedestal married to a monster generator in place of the transmission. Bring on doomsday! :)

[Tin Can]

I gotta get one of those now that I'm in the city. On the big farm we had a good old Farmall tractor engine and chassis on a concrete pedestal married to a big generator in place of the transmission. Bring on doomsday! :)

I've had this one almost 20 years, loaned it out for a year and they clogged the carb, but I have a new carb in hand and just waiting for that Doomsday emergency. I also have a cheaper clone still in box, if I need a backup. Both are under the bed...

[appletree]

I am confused and know little to nothing about the discussion in this thread. Only wanted to add that I used flashpacks for my SX-70 before and wow are they blinding. I remember having my polaroid camera at New Years Eve a few years back and the entire party was turning each time I lit the sky up and blinded harmless people.

[Jac@stafford.net]

[...] I remember having my polaroid camera at New Years Eve a few years back and the entire party was turning each time I lit the sky up and blinded harmless people.

Not to worry, you did not blind anyone.

[Tin Can]

I won't be using them on people.

I fired a P25 which is darn strong into my left eye at close range. Blink happens very fast, and I noticed no ill effects.

Always testing.

[Two23]

I've been considering buying some Rollieflex flash holders, putting them out on stands, attaching my CyberSync radio triggers, attaching CyberSync transmitter to my Copal shutter/Rodenstock 135mm, and shooting some trains with my 4x5. Think the CyberSyncs will trigger the flash? I'm think they should since it's basically just a switch.

[Tin Can]

I don't know. My Cybersyncs are dedicated for use only on Einsteins. 4 of these. http://www.paulcbuff.com/csxcv.php So they won't work for me that way.

I have 3 transmitters and I would need to buy this. http://www.paulcbuff.com/csr.php The Spec sheet says 300 VDC so maybe. Or this for future use with Alien Bees.

I guess we should have asked Paul...:(

Don't forget trains are protected by Homeland Security.