LF Studio Flashbulbs last night: Selfish images

[Tin Can]

At 2 AM, I got the bug to start shooting selfies with flashbulbs.

I am no expert at flashbulbs and tried 2 different kinds and made 2 brackets with each type. 4 shots all scannable. The best is below. 8X10 Ektascan, P5 @ f45 1/8th. No PS, no Curve, no spotting

I guessed at GN and exposure from the paucity of info online. Most of my bulbs are unmarked and came without the box, which has the instructions...

Following a Mortensen scheme, this is one small Agfa BC (battery/capacitor) flash unit that still works. I have a few that don't. Bad capacitors.

I used a bare bulb on myself, but will use the Graflite with double plastic shatter shield on any other living creature, maybe not plants...

First time doing this and it is amazing to watch how slow the bulb burns and the color, which is far different than any strobe I have seen.

[Peter De Smidt]

Fun stuff, Randy. I might be able to scrounge up some flash bulbs for you.

[Jac@stafford.net]

[...]it is amazing to watch how slow the bulb burns

Imagine the output of a big flashbulb that burns for 1.75 seconds.

We should speak in terms of lumen-seconds for flash so we can wrap our heads around their massive output compared to anything electronic.

[Tin Can]

Fun stuff, Randy. I might be able to scrounge up some flash bulbs for you.

Thanks Peter, I actually have secondary use for used flashbulbs. a close friend uses them in her sculpture. She wants all I produce, Here is her work, but she prefers the interesting shapes of used ones.

[Tin Can]

Imagine the output of a big flashbulb that burns for 1.75 seconds.

We should speak in terms of lumen-seconds for flash so we can wrap our heads around their massive output compared to anything electronic.

Jac, you are the flashbulb expert, and have given me much advice. I am slowly wrapping my head around how they work.

I love the fact if I calculate correctly, I don't need to meter. It's Sunny 16 inside now!

Lumenate me. Please!

[Peter De Smidt]

My parents owned a sweet shop during the 1950s, counter, soda fountain, pinball machine, grill.....People dropped film off to be developed, which was developed by a lab in Sheboygan. My father was in his 20s, he coached middle school baseball, and lot's of young men spent loads of time there. Occasionally, he'd do things like replace the light bulb in the bathroom with a flashbulb.

[Jody_S]

Thanks Peter, I actually have secondary use for used flashbulbs. a close friend uses them in her sculpture. She wants all I produce, Here is her work, but she prefers the interesting shapes of used ones.

Those are amazing!

[BrianShaw]

Hey Randy... very cool! I use flashbulbs but never a shield, and never had one "explode" either. I understand the value of the shield, though. Question: is there any significant light loss with that translucent shield?

[Tin Can]

Hey Randy... very cool! I use flashbulbs but never a shield, and never had one "explode" either. I understand the value of the shield, though. Question: is there any significant light loss with that translucent shield?

Hi Brian,

I cannot answer your question, as I have not used it yet. I am just starting to use flashbulbs and the 4 shots on the weekend were my first in years. Even decades ago, I seldom used flashbulbs as I never had much success as a teenager 40 years ago.

When I do use it, which will be soon, I will add a stop for the shield and report results here.

What size bulb are you using?

[BrianShaw]

Press 25, AKA GE #5, in Graflite with 5 inch reflector. I have some #11 but haven't used them.