Miniature Flash Bulbs - a nickle tutorial please

Christopher Walrath

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I have just acquired a Kalart Speed Flash for use with my B&J 4x5 Press Camera and an M Bulb bayonet style adapter. I have found that Cole's Cameras seems to have the best pricing on miniature style (M) bulbs.

My question is what is the difference between M-2, M-3 and M-5 bulbs?
 

mopar_guy

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Chris,
Check out Bill Cress' website:

flashbulbs.com

Dave
 

removed-user-1

That is a really useful website (nice to look at too). I'm going to have to dig up my old Nikon BC-7.
 
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Christopher Walrath

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I already did. I thought I had mistakenly Googled 'flash boobs'. And I actually got zero info before just closing the thing.
 

nickandre

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The difference is amount of light. IIRC M2s have less power than M3s. You'll sometimes see a B as in M3B which means the bulbs are coated blue to balance with daylight color film.
 

mopar_guy

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Cress has some Guide Number tables in the technical section that are very useful. What sort of information are you looking for specifically?

Another great resource online is: graflex.org

Go to the helpboard and then go to the "Flash Help" forum. Those guys have about a million years experience and will certainly try to help.

Here is a little of what I know:

The M-2, M-3, etc bulbs were generally for use with a flashgun with a small reflector (like 3 inch). Using these bulbs with a 4-5 inch reflector you need to compensate by adding a stop. If you use a 7 inch reflector, you should add a couple of stops. The M-2 bulbs I know can be used with "M" synch on the front shutters of most of the press cameras that were made after about 1941 or so. You may need to get yourself a sync cord as most of the old cords had a natural rubber insulation that has become brittle and causes a lot of problems. It really would help if you could provide some more information about your camera and what you want to do with it.
 
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donbga

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Why would you want to use the wretched things?

I was never so happy as the day I purchased my first Honeywell Strobonar and ditched the flash bulb equipment.

Now please don't tell me it's because they are better and brighter or that you want to shoot like O. Winston Link.
 

mopar_guy

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I like the way that it smells after you set one off.
 

mopar_guy

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Chris,
I just saw an auction over on we-pray that showed a Kalart De-Luxe Speed Flash. It had a handle that would hold two "D" ceels and a bracket that would screw into the tripod socket on the bottom of a camera. Is that what your's looks like.
 

removed-user-1

The only reason I would use one - in my case an FP-class bulb, which it appears Cress stocks - would be for high-speed sync on the Nikon F.
 

donbga

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rthomas said:
The only reason I would use one - in my case an FP-class bulb, which it appears Cress stocks - would be for high-speed sync on the Nikon F.
Click to expand...
:rolleyes:
 

sun of sand

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yeah, you don't need any info when googling flash boobs you just need to take their word for it
 

brian d

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Why would you want to use the wretched things?
Click to expand...

Because its FUN!

Well at least some of us enjoy doing things that way
 

df cardwell

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Let's see. I can carry a Metz 60, or some AG-1bs.

Some Press 25s, or a Speedo 3200.

Yeah, tough choice.


Different story in the studio, of course.

But fill flash for a group shot on 8x10,
a few hundred yards from the truck ?

M2s, nice. P25, really nice. Press 2s ? Actually, too much light.
 
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Christopher Walrath

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Why?

WWII reenacting in Lewes, De. I want it to look right and this is the recommended flash unit listed in the original literature. Yes, the Kalart is the item I purchased. It has the battery mast. I also picked up an adapter for miniature bulbs.
 

df cardwell

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Chris, check a wartime edition of Graphic Graflex Photography.
 
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Christopher Walrath

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Well, it's not gonna be perfect. The B&J was produced in '46 and on but I doubt anyone there will notice.
 

donbga

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Give me a break.
:rolleyes:
 

donbga

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I thought it must be something along those lines.

Good luck,

Don
 

df cardwell

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