Flash photography used to be pretty wild
Technology Connections・26 minutes read
Flash photography evolved from the complex and expensive use of flash tubes to the convenient and affordable Magicubes, simplifying low-light photography with mechanical actuation and quick, bright flashes. The development of flashbulbs and Magicubes by Kodak aimed to promote flash photography and boost sales of film products, revealing the explosive nature of flash initiation and zirconium burn processes in photography.
Insights
- Flash photography evolution from flashbulbs to flashcubes and Magicubes revolutionized low-light photography by simplifying the process and making it more accessible to consumers.
- The intricate process of igniting flashbulbs and flashcubes through explosive charges and rapid burning of zirconium showcases the complex yet efficient mechanisms behind early flash photography, highlighting the blend of science and practicality in capturing light for images.
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Recent questions
How did flash photography evolve?
Flash photography evolved from scientific research to consumer accessibility.
What was the purpose of Magicubes?
Magicubes were designed for quick, bright flash photography.
How did flashcubes simplify photography?
Flashcubes simplified flash photography by integrating four flashbulbs.
What was the cost of flash photography in the past?
Flash photography in the past cost around $1.50 per photo.
How did Kodak contribute to flash photography?
Kodak aimed to promote flash photography and sell film products.
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Summary
00:00
Evolution of Flash Photography Technology
- Photography used to be challenging, requiring carrying a camera and incurring costs for film and processing.
- Flash photography was necessary for low-light conditions due to film sensitivity.
- Flash photography involved using electronic flash units with flash tubes filled with xenon gas.
- Flash tubes achieved high brightness by discharging stored energy in a fraction of a second.
- Flash tubes were initially used in scientific research before becoming available for general photography in the 1950s.
- Consumer flash photography was made accessible through flashbulbs, which were used with flash units.
- Flashbulbs were single-use bulbs filled with zirconium and oxygen for a bright flash.
- Flashcubes were introduced in 1965 to simplify flash photography by integrating four flashbulbs into a disposable cube.
- Magicubes, developed in 1970, used fulminate to ignite zirconium shavings for a quick, bright flash.
- Magicubes were mechanically actuated and used in cameras like the Kodak Instamatic X-15 for low-light photography.
14:45
Magicube: Flash Photography Innovation and Technology
- Attaching a Magicube to a camera involves a small pokey bit that activates the flashcube by pushing up on a spring to release it and strike the primer tube.
- The actuator also checks if the flashcube will work, lifting into place with light pressure before taking a picture.
- Reusing a flashcube with a spent lamp facing forward triggers a red flag indicator in the viewfinder to warn of potential issues.
- Pressing the shutter button forces the actuator into the flashcube, setting off the explosive fulminate within four milliseconds of opening the shutter.
- With a flashcube installed, the camera adjusts its shutter speed to 1/45 of a second for optimal light capture on film.
- Advancing the film frame rotates the flashcube 90 degrees automatically for the next shot.
- A flashcube package originally cost $2.25, equivalent to nearly $18 today, with each flash photo costing around $1.50.
- Kodak's development of the Magicube aimed to promote flash photography and sell film products, making cameras more affordable by eliminating batteries and wiring.
- High-speed footage revealed the initiation and zirconium burn process of the flashcube, resembling a firework.
- Electrically-operated flashbulbs still relied on explosives to initiate the zirconium burn, possibly involving an "ignition paste" or rhenium in the filament composition.
29:37
Flashbulb Ignition Process: Bright Light Explosion
- The process of igniting a flashbulb involves several steps: a camera sends power through the filament, causing it to get hot and incandescent, igniting a primer bead, which then sparks the zirconium wire to emit brilliant light through rapid burning in oxygen.
- Two styles of flashbulbs, including Sylvania’s Magicubes, rely on explosions to ignite zirconium, with the electrically-fired ones also following a similar process.
- The quick ignition process of flashbulbs, lasting only 95 nanoseconds, results in a bright light that can overwhelm sensors, showcasing the surprising explosive charge in the initiation fuse and the historical use of flashbulbs in photography.
