Beginner...novice..............question

Phil Bennett

Phil Bennett

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Guys

Im very new to lighting and flash, and I hope that someone can help me out.

What is a modelling bulb and what is a flash bulb, and in what situation of photography do you use them

Sorry if the question is a silly one.

Phil
 
Not at all! Ask away.... you normally talk about modelling bulbs and flash bulbs in the context of (usually mains-powered) studio lights.

If you are using a studio light (typically firing into a brolly or soft-box to 'soften' the light) it may not be obvious what the outcome will be like. For this reason they often come with modelling lights that won't affect the exposure of the shot, but allow you to get a good idea if you have the lights pointing in the correct direction.

I understand that posh lights actually change the power of the modelling light in proportion to the power that the flash gun is set at so you can get an idea of the outcome if you were using two or more lights in the studio. Would be good if you were using one light as the main light, and the other at a lower power to provide some 'fill' for shadows.

The flash bulb is the bit that actually lights the model when you take the shot.

Hope this helps

Phil
 
Thanks for the reply Phil, but Im still confused.

Do modelling bulbs flash? when triggered, because the price of modelling bulbs against flash bulbs is quite servere, so I take it that you interchange them for specific types of shot, but Im not sure which shots.

Sorry, but Im really new to this.

Phil
 
No, modelling lamps don't flash, they just provide a continuous light that shows the 'modelling' or in other words the effect that the flash will have/

And the flash tube isn't continuous, it just flashes to provide the light needed for the exposure.
The modelling lamp provides such a tiny amount of light (compared to the flash) that, in normal conditions, it doesn't affect the exposure in any way.

Edit: No, you don't interchange them. They are always there. Typically, the modelling lamp is in the centre of the flash head, surrounded by the flash tube, which is typically nearly circular
 
Cheers Guys

Ive got it now, sorry for the questions

Phil
 
Are we talking about the same things here?

Flash bulb usually refers to an old style megnesium-filled bulb, about the size of a grape, which you fire once then throw away. Not really been used seriously for decades.

Flash tube refers to the gas filled glass tubes in an electronic flash unit, usually about the size of a pencil. They can be thin and straight, as in hot shoe guns, or circular as in most studio units. They can be fired tens of thousands of times.

A modelling light/bulb is usually very similar to a domestic tungsten light bulb, or a variation on that. They are fitted to studio flash units and put out a continuous low level light, so that you can see the 'modelling' effect that the flash will produce. They are often switched so that they can be dimmed in proportion to the flash output, to give an indication of relative light levels in a multi flash set up.
 
HoppyUK said:
Flash tube refers to the gas filled glass tubes in an electronic flash unit, usually about the size of a pencil. They can be thin and straight, as in hot shoe guns, or circular as in most studio units. They can be fired tens of thousands of times.

A modelling light/bulb is usually very similar to a domestic tungsten light bulb, or a variation on that. They are fitted to studio flash units and put out a continuous low level light, so that you can see the 'modelling' effect that the flash will produce. They are often switched so that they can be dimmed in proportion to the flash output, to give an indication of relative light levels in a multi flash set up.
Click to expand...

Thanks Hoppy

Ive got it now

Phil
 
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