When inserting a bulb in the flash, unplug the synch cord or wear a glove on that hand. You do NOT want a flashbulb lighting up in your fingers. Guess how I know this...
Any safety concerns using old flashbulbs?
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Yes, your warning is valid indeed. Who thinks of the shutter? Actually there are quite some things to consider with bulb flashes, either for safety reasons, or for sparing the battery.
With a condensor flash the condensor may have been decharged sufficiently for that premature firing not to happen. But one still better not test such without a glove...
With a condensor flash the condensor may have been decharged sufficiently for that premature firing not to happen. But one still better not test such without a glove...
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The filament in a flashbulb is not tungsten, but either of aluminum / magnesium / zirconium or some combination filament which ignites and burns rather than glows due to the filament not being in a complete vacuum. In this case, the filament acts rather like an igniter, where the energy pulse -- delivered either by the batteries or static shock -- is the key to starting the filament burn.
In fact, Magicubes worked by detonating a miniscule amount of fulminate with a pin to start the burn, rather than using electricity.
-Jason
No, you'r wrong.
It is tungsten with some explosive on it. Only that will ignite and by that ignite then the aluminiun or zirkonium filling.
Magicubes use an explosive that can be triggered mechanically, the rest is the same.
It is tungsten with some explosive on it. Only that will ignite and by that ignite then the aluminiun or zirkonium filling.
Magicubes use an explosive that can be triggered mechanically, the rest is the same.
That doesn't make sense at all, AgX. Tungsten is used in regular bulbs, yes. But in a flashcube it doesn't make sense to use tungsten at all when magnesium itself burns so easily. Why use a difficult-to-ignite metal when you are already using an easy-to-ignite metal?
I got the original scientific reports from manufacturer Philips from the 50s. It describes that all commercial bulbs had an explosive from the start in the 30s.
Whast varied over time was the type oand form of metal and the oxygenator.
Whast varied over time was the type oand form of metal and the oxygenator.
OP
OP
So what I'm hearing from everyone is that flash bulbs are deadly little glass explosives that go off almost at random. I know they were out in the '50's but it seems to me that they cannot be this unsafe. Otherwise nobody would have used a flash ever and Kodak would have been sued out of existence.
Nobody said so.
To the contrary.
-) Only one case of shattering was reported. But we advised to nevertheless use a clear shielding and only to use bulbs with good indicator mark.
-) We doubt that bulbs can go off by static electricity, but some know of such reports.
-) Yes, if handled wrongly bulbs can ignite prematurely when inserting into the flash. We advised to follow a certain routine (or wear gloves...)
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No. My one bad experience cited above was due to ignorance, the succeeding fourty-odd years heve been trouble free.
Anecdotal "evidence" isn't evidence.
OP
OP
So as suspected then, not unsafe. Just have to heed the directions. Posts numbered 5, 13, 19, 26 and 28 were all discussing issues like having to pre-cock shutters, keep guarded from static, or protect people from shattering bulbs using specific tools (like ziplocs) or the bulbs could potentially cause harm. I wonder if Kodak ever produced a "best practices" sheet about handling flash bulbs that I could read? Frankly I prefer to not learn the hard way as some members have. Thanks everyone for your advice though. I'll use a Ziploc bag, keep bulbs out of my pocket and pre-cock the shutter before placing the bulb. Any other advice?
Same bulb packages give no safety advise at all.
Some say not to use if blue indicator has turned pink.
I got in front of me a Sylvania leaflet that says if the blue dot has turned pink the bulb is defect and be exchanged for free at the dealer. And that always a safety shield should be used.
Some say not to use if blue indicator has turned pink.
I got in front of me a Sylvania leaflet that says if the blue dot has turned pink the bulb is defect and be exchanged for free at the dealer. And that always a safety shield should be used.
Like most things, flashbulbs are as safe as the person using them. I have a few small fanfolds, a really great lightsaber (with a hinged protective screen for both large and small reflectors) and a wee little unit which takes AG1 bulbs. I use them, not a great deal but regularly. When you need a LOT of light they are handy.
As hintead at above safety warnings by the manufacturers were scarce. The most comprehensive one can imagine has Megga. As current manufacturer they of course have to adhere to current attitudes on safety. And they indeed warn about static electricity and even twice warn about bulbs being carried in ones pockets.
Is this a warning that a pocket can create enough static electricity to ignite the bulb or simply that carrying any bulb or other things made of glass in a pocket without proper wrapping is potentially dangerous if you fall over or knock against a solid object and break the glass into sharp pieces in clothing close to your skin?
If it is possible to create enough static electricity in a pocket by some form of rubbing then can anyone please explain how this generates enough electricity to ignite it?
pentaxuser
Yes, they excplicitely have it about static electricity in clothing pockets.
Though that a manufacturer gives a warning not necessarily means that it is true. It could be just a means to be on the safe side against claims after such stories appeared.
We either need some static expert here. Or someone who has fun in experimenting. (Here humidity meanwhile is rising again...)
Though that a manufacturer gives a warning not necessarily means that it is true. It could be just a means to be on the safe side against claims after such stories appeared.
We either need some static expert here. Or someone who has fun in experimenting. (Here humidity meanwhile is rising again...)
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Good luck getting a company to exchange a bulb today.
I used flashbulbs extensively in the the 1960's and some later one, and I never had a problem with them.
Once I was on the subway platform in New York city with a camera with a loaded flashbulb, something like a #5 or #25, and someone tried to steal my tripod from my camera bag. I turned around quickly and fired the flash just inches from his face. I did not have a problem getting the tripod back. I then left the platform in one hell of a hurry.
It worked for Jimmy Stewart too. Until he was defenestrated.
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