Available Strobes with Round Reflector?

waynecrider · Nov 11, 2012

I'm looking for the above to use with a Yashica TLR. I like the look of the smaller bulb models but in a strobe. Can anyone suggest a particular one that I can look up. Is it possible to convert a bulb model?

Chan Tran · Nov 11, 2012

waynecrider said:
I'm looking for the above to use with a Yashica TLR. I like the look of the smaller bulb models but in a strobe. Can anyone suggest a particular one that I can look up. Is it possible to convert a bulb model?

The Quantum Qflash has round reflector. Doesn't quite look like a bulb unit.

Ian Grant · Nov 11, 2012

My strobe isn't portable but there's these on ebay. The mains type are cheaper.

Ian

waynecrider · Nov 13, 2012

Chan Tran said:
The Quantum Qflash has round reflector. Doesn't quite look like a bulb unit.

Thought of it but it's too pricey.

I may have to go with a normal handle mount.

TheFlyingCamera · Nov 13, 2012

If you're patient, there was someone out there who converted Vivitar 283/285 strobes to take a bare-bulb flash tube with an optional bayonet-on circular dish reflector. I forget what they were called, but I remember seeing them advertised in Shutterbug for several years back in the 1990s. I think Norman and/or Dynalite also make/made portable flash units that have a similar flash head.

Mike Wilde · Nov 13, 2012

Yes, Norman 200B's and 400B's had a bare bulb with the option of a round reflector or mounting of a slip on speed ring to mount a soft box or similar modifier. The Normans were a high end pack and head unit ( I have one old 200B that I restored).

So even many years old they may not come cheap.

Why not consider the possibilty of masking off the edges of the 35mm form factor reflector, or just add a diffuser and live with the stiop or more of brightness loss.

waynecrider · Nov 14, 2012

Thanks for reminding me of the Norman's guys. I'll also watch the "E" and see if there are any converted Vivitar's going thru.

Bill Burk · Nov 14, 2012

I like the idea. I think it might be cool to have something like the Norman 200B bulb, but fit entire flash electronics from another much less powerful unit into the case.

I don't need f/11 at EI 100. Just a tiny bit of illumination to fill the shadows.

So it seems a miniature flash could be taken out of anything and put into an old flashbulb reflector.

(If it can be done safely).

TheFlyingCamera · Nov 14, 2012

I did a quick check on the auction site and saw several Vivitar 283 conversions. There was a professionally done conversion that looked as well-made as a Quantum, and was priced similarly. Then there were a pair of rather amateur-looking conversions selling for about $150 each. They looked a little klugey, and I'd be worried about their durability and safety long-term. But they exist as an option. A final thought - just get a Gary Fong light modifier with a chromed interior. Or take a quart-size plastic takeaway soup container, spray-paint the inside silver, and cut a hole in the bottom for the flash to go through.

waynecrider · Nov 15, 2012

Yeah saw those two. That professional unit looked pretty big, maybe bigger them my Yashica 120G.

I could always go with a Sunpak 120J but I am kinda leaning towards putting something together. Like Bill I just need something small, basically for closer portraits. I've seen reflectors for sale and I have some small flashes. Any electronics experts around?

snederhiser · Nov 15, 2012

Hello;
Look at the early Graflite strobes, made by Heiland/Honeywell. The first Heiland/Honeywell strobes were considered the standard for TLR's and used by the press before the shift into 35mm. Steven.

Mike Wilde · Nov 15, 2012

Yes, I have an early Strobonar by Honeywell sitting on the shelf on display. Kind of an oval reflector. Guide number 80 in feet at iso 100 I reacll. It used sub c cells - 4 of them. I have not been motivated to hunt down the new cells it needs, and I am also missing the chahrger cord.

If all of my too many other flashes all died at once, I might fit this with aa NiMH's to see if it still would fire, after a good long soak on power withiut flashing to recondition the electrolytic capacitior.

David A. Goldfarb · Nov 15, 2012

The old Norman portable units aren't so expensive, but if you have to upgrade to a new SuperBattery and charger that works with it, it can be, though it is a better battery than the old ones. There are people who re-cell the old batteries as well. A 200C is newer, lighter and smaller than a 200B with the same output. The 400B is the same size as a 200B with double the output, and I think it's heavier.

That's a 200B pack on my shoulder and a large tele-reflector on the flash head. The normal reflector is 5-inches in diameter. I've since replaced the 200B with a 200C. That paper on the reflector is a table I made for converting distance (readable from the focus scale on the lens) to aperture at three different power settings (200/100/50 W-s)--

Nokton48 · Nov 15, 2012

I have two Norman 200B's that I had tuned up at New York Flash Clinic. And I have an Armatar 283 Flash that takes Norman Reflectors and flashtubes and works great. Stroboframe makes a good 2 1/4 Bracket that works with the 283.

The Honeywell 700 Hammer-Handle strobe is one that I used to use with the Yashicamat 124G for press work back in the 70's. Honeywell made a special TLR bracket that fit the 124G perfectly. Mine wasn't auto exposure, but they made many different versions and that was certainly an option.

Available Strobes with Round Reflector?

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