Flash Bulbs, Gear Info, Images of Gear & Guide Number Data

[Doug Herta]

One thing to consider when testing is that these bulbs are 30-40-50 years old and may not give off a consistent amount of light. I do a lot of flashbulb photography with Crown and Speed Graphics and find that exposure can vary widely based on the condition of the bulb. Try to find ones in original boxes that don't look water stained and moldy.

AG bulbs in a 5" reflector don't do so well. The #5 and #25 work really well in the 5" and I have success with the M2, M3, M5, M25 in an adapter in the 5" - my most common configuration is dual 5" flashes with M size bulbs. The Edison base (regular light bulb base) work well in the 7", but have not been happy with the smaller bulbs in the 7", even with adapters with long shafts that place the bulb in the middle of the reflector - the light falloff is severe.

For fast shutter speeds with M setting, the M series that are usable appear to be the M3, M5, and M25. The M2 box indicates it is good for X and M up to 1/30 of a second and M-setting cameras at faster speeds require an M3.

[mjork]

This is what I use as my main flashbulb reference:
http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes..._1961_data.pdf

It's got details about all types of bulbs except M3.

[Tin Can]

This is what I use as my main flashbulb reference:
http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes..._1961_data.pdf

It's got details about all types of bulbs except M3.

That's great! I know the site, but didn't have this link.

I pay Butkus now and then, he is a great service, which I use often.

thx

[ShannonG]

As a commercial studio shooter i have and have had lots of lights.for strobes i use Speedatron black line and brown line kits with 4 heads each,(1 black line kit and 3 brown line kits) reflector dishes .snoots and barn doors.I also use large diffusion panels.But all that gear is for work related stuff.
For my table top large format work i usually use continues lighting,either just the modeling lights on the speedos or my hot light kits witch are older Smith Victors telescoping mini spots W/all the attachments.and of course diffusion and reflection..I really like my hot lights for large format still life work.ive built light bulb contraptions and have used the led panels,,but keep going back to the trusty hot light kits.Once in awhile ill use the strobes for large format stuff ,but not very often,,,,,just how i roll
here are a couple of pics showing the mini spots and one with a speedo and mini spot combo
https://instagram.com/p/3hgczgBCjl/
https://instagram.com/p/65B7CJhCig/
http://https://instagram.com/p/2YgsB7hCuQ/