How Long Do Flash Bulbs Last?

[CameraLens]

I remember back when stores used to sell packs of replacement flash bulbs but I don't seem to see those around anymore. How long do flash bulbs last these days before they blow out? How much do they cost to replace?

[Mark]

I don't know the answer to your question

But I do notice that you have a special L series 580ex II or is that just a joke at the L shaped lens thing :)

[Titus213]

Well, with those packs the bulb generally lasted for one picture. I still have some of those around I think. All the way back to the foil filled clear glass bulb....

I don't know how long a flash tube would last in today's modern flash. It will surely depend on use and abuse.

[basroil]

For strobes, check your dealer, usually they last quite a bit and can have the bulbs replaced easily. For something like a speedlight, somewhere on the press release for one of the speedlights that came out at the same time as the 30d they said that the bulb was improved to get you as many uses as shutter actuations, so that would mean 100k. Can't tell you that is the definitive answer, but the best i can remember.

[Wilt]

Electronic flash tubes vary widely in lifetimes...photophraphy lighting studio units are rated from 10k-30k, rapid rate high speed strobes are rated for 50 million!

[CameraLens]

The L thing is a joke. I use a red rubber band around it.

[David Rossberg]

Obviously that depends on enough factors to make it an impossible estimation. In any event it's definitely more than you could keep track of!

Put it this way; I have a Vivitar flash from the late 70's that was flashed extensively (as in on a daily basis) until the early nineties, then lay in limbo for 15 years and finally handed to me where I've played with it quite a lot for a while. A photo journalist acquaintance have 20 year old, super banged up and insanely well used Canon 430EZ that is still going strong.

[Wilt]

Obviously that depends on enough factors to make it an impossible estimation. In any event it's definitely more than you could keep track of!

Put it this way; I have a Vivitar flash from the late 70's that was flashed extensively (as in on a daily basis) until the early nineties, then lay in limbo for 15 years and finally handed to me where I've played with it quite a lot for a while. A photo journalist acquaintance have 20 year old, super banged up and insanely well used Canon 430EZ that is still going strong.

OTOH, back then MOST photographers didn't put thru 25k exposures in a single year, either!

[David Rossberg]

True that!

Although if I was nearing 25k a year on my poor old workhorses I'd give them an eternal rest on a bed of green gels, and would even consider getting some ProFotos!