Bulb to Strobe Conversion

[Mark Alan Day]

I'm new to APUG so this may be the strangest (or even most idiotic) question ever posed. Has anyone ever seen or heard of a strobe (or flashtube) that can be inserted into the flashbulb recepticle of a standard flashbulb attatchment? One that may simply operate and fire as the bulb normally would. I don't know, I just thought it'd be pretty neat to use that old flashgun and reflecter with a modern strobe.:confused:

 

[snapguy]

I have an electronic flash unit that is meant to sit on a hot shoes on top of your camera. It is very tiny, maybe two inches by three inches by a half an inch deep. It would fit inside a Graflite flashbulb unit and you could put a translucent cover over it so nobody would know it is there. You'd have to make a Mickey Mouse holder for it inside the flash reflector and figure out how to run a cord from a hot shoe attached to it to the camera. The unit takes one AA battery and is slow to recycle but puts out a lot of light. It could be done.

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

While admittedly not a strobe-tube-in-a-Graflite setup, there is this option:

Vintage Stroboflash by Albert J. Sanowskis

It's the original Graflex strobe units where the internal electronics have been removed, replaced, and modernized for performance and reliability. I've considered one of these for my 4x5 Crown Graphic to keep the external look and performance authentic. I may yet try one if and when the New55 Film product goes mainstream.

I like to keep all of my antique cameras—and especially the Crown Graphic—in perfect as-new cosmetic as well as functional condition. That's because when using them in public they become powerful visual ambassadors for the viability of film.

I never want to have to answer the question "Is film dead?" by saying "No", then holding up a stained, rusted, scratched, peeling, bent piece of junk.

So the Crown works and looks like it was made yesterday. Not a sign of aging at all. This always results in admiring compliments and questions. And willing subjects.

And the answers to their questions almost always include "www.apug.org" and "www.freestylephoto.biz" somewhere during the discussion.

The above refurbished strobes would fit nicely for me within that framework, I think...

Ken

 

[removed account4]

i used to have some sort of vintage metz flash, it looked exactly like what you
are asking about. what seemed to be a flash tube receptacle for a bulb, but
there was a xenon flash head in there instead. it took a power source i could never find ( dry cell ? )
and i was never able to use it .. would have been fun and fun-looking on the side of a graflex or graphic camera.

 

[Rick A]

Maybe engineer a Winklight from a Polaroid, they're about the same(I think) size(at least the right shape).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/141582463724?lpid=82&chn=ps

 

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to APUG

There may be answer at www.graflex.org in their files or their forum.

 

[removed account4]

...

 

[Peter Simpson]

Check Electronics Goldmine for strobe parts. Like APUGuser19 said, its possible, but a real challenge. Are you up to it?

 

[AgX]

Such electronic strobes to fit bulb firing contacts were made in several versions. For Flashbulb, Flashbar and Flipflash.
Also adapters to PC-sockets.

 

[Peter Simpson]

While admittedly not a strobe-tube-in-a-Graflite setup, there is this option:

Vintage Stroboflash by Albert J. Sanowskis

It's the original Graflex strobe units where the internal electronics have been removed, replaced, and modernized for performance and reliability. I've considered one of these for my 4x5 Crown Graphic to keep the external look and performance authentic. I may yet try one if and when the New55 Film product goes mainstream.


Ken

Nice find -- that is one heck of a nice design!. The only thing I would change is the toggle switch on the top. Too easy to inadvertently brush it and switch to a different power. I think the original rotary switch was a better choice. But otherwise, it's a very nice updating of a classic design using modern components with their improved performance (and size!)

 

[Mark Alan Day]

Thanks. This has been a big help. I use a Rolleiflex TLR with that funky lens mount flash holder. Yes, a Poloroid just might work.

 

[mgb74]

Or fit one of these inside the reflector.

 

[wombat2go]

Here is my version. It is a non destructive mod to the Graflite.
A machined brass slug replaces the bayonet socket and holds a bracket with a claw for the hotshoe of the small old focal flash.
(posted before)
https://app.box.com/s/gz4dl6b6u2c1c0gg0dmv