Are these flashbulbs safe to use?

mfratt · Jun 30, 2012

I just received my Crown Graphic 23 from the 'bay. The seller included a Graflite setup and about a dozen bulbs. There is a brown staining around the base of the glass - I'm wondering if they're safe to use or not.

Bill Burk · Jun 30, 2012

To meet current safety standards, I'd recommend putting a clear dome in front of the flash unit in case the bulb shatters.

I assume a fair amount of these bulbs shattered in their day - based on the warnings printed on the packaging of "safety" bulbs.

But I bet they would fire off just fine.

BrianShaw · Jun 30, 2012

All of my Nr. 11 bulbs have that same "staining".

mfratt · Jun 30, 2012

Cool. Good to know. Now I've just got to find a battery pack for this things and I'm off.

To meet current safety standards, I'd recommend putting a clear dome in front of the flash unit in case the bulb shatters.

But then I don't get to scare everyone half to death with my obnoxious flash

BrianShaw · Jun 30, 2012

mfratt said:
... But then I don't get to scare everyone half to death with my obnoxious flash

You will. Get prepared with a soothing response.

cliveh · Jun 30, 2012

When I was about 17, I worked as an assistant photographer for a guy who told me that on VE day after WWII he was taking photographs of people celebrating in a town centre and he was using a plate camera with flash. One of his flash bulbs exploded and some of the shards of glass hit a girl in front of him (no injury incurred) and she later became his wife.

ambaker · Jun 30, 2012

Exploding flash bulbs, who knew? I set fire to the girl I eventually married. Fortunately no real damage. Did leave a red mark for a few days...

mfratt · Jun 30, 2012

ambaker said:
Exploding flash bulbs, who knew? I set fire to the girl I eventually married. Fortunately no real damage. Did leave a red mark for a few days...

*sings* c'mon baby light my fire
its time to set me on.... FIIIIIREEEEEEEEE WOAH

ambaker · Jun 30, 2012

That song was popular about that time, too. It was an accident, but she did wind up with flaming gasoline on her jeans. Fortunately there was a fire extinguisher handy.

hugopoon · Jul 1, 2012

What's the worst that could happen? Just take it to an open space and fire it (maybe make sure there's no one within 20m).

M. Lointain · Jul 1, 2012

This is terrible I know, and kiddies don't do this at home, but a long time ago we used to put flashbulbs in lamp sockets which would scare the bejeesus out of the person turning on the light.:devil:

hugopoon · Jul 1, 2012

*goes eBaying for Halloween supplies*

Dismayed · Jul 1, 2012

I remember flash bulbs from when I was a child. Most of my memories of childhood holidays involve floating white orbs. I suspect that my retinas are permanently scarred. Make sure that your victims (subjects) wear nuclear blast eye protection.

premortho · Jul 31, 2012

I'd experiment with one or two. Back in the day, I only used those screw in bulbs for shots over 45 feet away. I used midgets (Press25's) closer.

premortho · Jul 31, 2012

XL

mfratt said:
Cool. Good to know. Now I've just got to find a battery pack for this things and I'm off.

Battery pack? The Graflite IS the battery pack. Takes 2 or 3 "C" size batterys. When you root thru all the goodies, look for a flaslight bulb holder that fits where the bulb goes. That way you won't waste any bulbs setting the thing up.:munch:Good luck. The Graflite is harder to find now than the cameras.

But then I don't get to scare everyone half to death with my obnoxious flash

Sirius Glass · Aug 1, 2012

There is one member of APUG who as a child decided to take apart an unused flashcube with a screwdriver. He burned his hands and go a brilliant concept at the same time.

Benoît99 · Aug 1, 2012

In 1947, Puerto Rican nationalists planned to assassinate President Harry Truman while he was at Blair House in Washington. Two shooters approached Blair House and got into a gunfight with police and Secret Service guards posted at the door. Truman was inside and not hurt, but he heard and perhaps saw the gunfight. Much later, a flashbulb on a press photographer's camera exploded while Truman was speaking, and several people were alarmed and ready to take cover. Truman remained calm, smiled and said that an exploding flashbulb didn't bother him as he had already been shot at by people with real bullets.

Are these flashbulbs safe to use?

mfratt

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