Flash Tubes page 3

Operating a flash tube

A flash tube is a horseshoe or round-shaped gas-filled discharge lamp and is the main part of a studio flash. The tube is attached to the inside of a flash head and around the setting lamp. The quality of the final picture in studio photography is mainly determined by the lighting of the object. The maximum flash power depends on the flash tube and the power that it can deliver is expressed in watts per second. When the flash is activated, the gas discharge starts, with starts the exposure. This discharge lasts only a fraction of a second, and allows you to capture the object with the desired light.

Connecting and replacing

The flash tube naturally lasts a long time, and is therefore both durable and user-friendly. If you are dealing a lot with studio photography, it is advisable to replace it once in a while. The flash strength deteriorates over time, and it becomes more difficult to capture the object with the desired exposure. You can replace flash tubes from Falcon-Eyes or Elinchrom relatively easily yourself, so you no longer have to have the work done by a professional. The plug pins can be inserted into the head of the flash unit. This is how contact is made with the other parts of the flash unit. Always make sure you know what you are doing and handle the flash tube with care, as this is a vulnerable product.