Interesting find

[colyn]

Yesterday I saw a Canon bulb flash unit for $19 at a antique mall but did not pick it up. In the case was the head, chrome handle, and a micro-sync unit that pluged into the handle then connected by way of a plug. I believe it is for the Canon rangefinder cameras with the side rail flash mount.

Is it worth going back for or should I leave it be??

Don't have a Canon IVSB but am thinking about getting one...which this unit should fit..

 

[CameraQuest]

ok to collect
I would not give much chance for your finding flashbulbs.

Stephen

 

[colyn]

ok to collect
I would not give much chance for your finding flashbulbs.

Stephen

I was wondering about the bulbs..

 

[goamules]

I find the bulbs and use my IVSB flash on special occasions. It's more about finding slow film really, you don't want to try to use ASA with a flashbulb. I find bulbs at antique shops and thrift stores.

 

[Nokton48]

Columbus Camera Group has a ton of flashbulbs down in their basement.

Flashbulbs are FUN. 😱😱😱🙄

 

[peterm1]

At that price I think I would be tempted to get it anyway as it could be owrth more to a collector even if you never by a IVSB or use flash.

 

[airds]

Beautifully made - go get it!

 

[oftheherd]

Flash bulbs provide a different light that electronic flash. I find bulb flash to provide light that isn't as harsh, but still strong (depending on size of course).

Thanks Nokton48 for the info on Columbus Camera Group. I wasn't aware there was a good US distributor. However, a search on their site didn't reveal any bulbs for sale. I do recall a discussion on a thread some time ago about two manufacturers of flash bulbs. I think both were in European countries, but one may have been England or USA. IIRC it was in a thread about a photo of an old steam locomotive that had been taken with flash bulbs, and I think Mr. Hicks provided the information.

Google brought up http://www.flashbulbs.com/BulbPrice.htm (very expensive), but Frugal Photographer ( http://www.frugalphotographer.com/catFlash.htm )seems to have a few at better prices. You could also try some of the links at http://www.google.com/search?q=flas...8&startIndex=&startPage=1&rlz=1I7ADFA_enUS436 for more ideas.

I guess I should try to stock some more myself. I have a small supply of clear, blue, and even IR bulbs.

 

[colyn]

What flash bulb did this flash use? The socket is about the size of a press 25.

 

[goamules]

I use Sylvania M3 bulbs. Here is a long thread about using Canon flashes you may have missed:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83541

 

[farlymac]

I got a Flash Unit Model B-II recently, and that info in the link will come in handy. It's designed to go on any Leica style camera, as the sync is a lever that sits over the top of the shutter button. So when you depress the lever, it triggers the shutter at the right point. Should be able to use it with my Zorki I.

PF

 

[John Shriver]

You would really want 6B or FP-26B flashbulbs for any focal plane camera. You can make 25B or M3B work, but at a very limited set of slow shutter speeds.

The short-peak bulbs for leaf shutters are common as dirt on eBay. The focal plane ones are there, not as common, sometimes overpriced, sometimes reasonable.