How long does a flash-gun bulb unit last?

[nemo man]

I was considering buying a used flash-gun from a camera store, to use as a second off-camera flash unit. But what sort of limit do they have on life-time usage?

[Subfightersandman]

i have an old vivitar that was my dads, that is about 30 years old. it still works like the day he got it

[PacAce]

A flash tube could last years (I have one that's over 40 years old) or it could last 15 minutes if it is fired incessantly at full power. It all depends on how much care or abuse the flash is given. ;)

[René Damkot]

... or it could last one flash ;)

Click (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidhobby/2372430385/sizes/m/)
(From here) (http://strobist.blogspot.com/2008/04/overclock-your-speedlight-for-more.html)

[Wilt]

Tens of thousands of flashes, is the typical life of the flash tube in a photographic flash unit. Stroboscopic units for the stage or disco have hundreds of thousands of flashes in their lifetime. YMMV, as the lifetimes stated, when they are stated, vary widely from flash model to flash model.

[nemo man]

Tens of thousands of flashes, is the typical life of the flash tube in a photographic flash unit. Stroboscopic units for the stage or disco have hundreds of thousands of flashes in their lifetime. YMMV, as the lifetimes stated, when they are stated, vary widely from flash model to flash model.


Sounds like I'm quite safe buying a used unit then. Just seems strange when all domestic bulbs never seem to last long! Different beast I suppose.

[Wilt]

'domestic bulb' = incandescent?!

Incandescent = bulb with a filament, where the filament fails after it has been glowing a finite period of time
strobe = electric charge passing thru a gas to make it glow

[Titus213]

'domestic bulb' = incandescent?!

Incandescent = bulb with a filament, where the filament fails after it has been glowing a finite period of time
strobe = electric charge passing thru a gas to make it glow

Now that makes it sound downright disgusting.....:lol:

[Wilt]

Now that makes it sound downright disgusting.....:lol:


I guess you must not have been amused to even the slightest, by the antics in the dorm! ;)

[Titus213]

And the barracks....:lol: