Differences in flash bulbs for M3 / CEYOO

[ravenxarmy]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I've never used flash with my M3 but I recently picked up a mint CEYOO so I thought I'd give it a go. Came across a box of various lightbulbs as well.
I fired a few just to test whether they work or not and they perfectly do, but before I waste more bulbs and more film maybe someone could please explain to me what exactly are the differences between them? 
I've got a random selection of:

Class M:
0
0B
2-M
3
3B
5
5N

Class FP:
6
6B
6N

Class F (or X, can't really work it out from the box) 
Z PRESS

I tried M3 and M5 for tests and only difference I noticed that M5 seemed to be much brighter

Any tips, tricks and advice on how to use these would be appreciated!

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited July 16, 2022 by ravenxarmy

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[a.noctilux]

I'd read this article;

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Flashbulbs

 

we can see:

Flashbulb types

• F - Fast bulbs, with time to peak approx. 5 ms and flash duration under 10 ms (at half peak), which could be used with X synch sockets of leaf shutters at speeds up to 1/100 s.
• X - a German class laying between types F and M, with time to peak of 10-18 ms and most common flash duration of 8-10 ms. These bulbs could be used with X synchronised leaf and focal plane shutters at speeds up to 1/30 s. This should not be confused with the far more common "X-Sync" used for electronic flash ("X" standing for "Xenon bulb").
• M - Medium speed bulbs, offering time to peak 18-20 ms and generally 8-12 ms flash duration.
• S - Slow burning high power bulbs with time to peak approx. 30 ms. Due to long flash duration (some 20-30 ms) S type could be used with leaf shutters at speeds not higher than 1/20 s, but had guide number significantly higher than other flashbulb types.
• FP - slow burning bulbs intended for synchronisation with focal plane shutters at faster shutter speeds. Although commonly referred to as "Focal Plane" bulbs due to their primary use with focal plane shutters, the letters "FP" originally stood for "Flat Peak", referring to the long duration of relatively even light they produced, which is beneficial for even exposure of a film frame when used with focal plane shutters at faster shutter speeds. Type FP had time to peak of approx. 30-35 ms and 25-35 ms flash duration at half peak, with relatively even brightness.

 

if you need some more bulbs (who knows ?),

contact them (link)

Edited July 16, 2022 by a.noctilux

[ravenxarmy]

I did read that.

I understand the difference between the letters F, M, X etc 

But what's the difference between 3 and 3B???

Or 6 vs 6B vs 6N?

 

 

 

Edited July 16, 2022 by ravenxarmy

[Helge]

The B as a suffix stands for Blue, those bulbs a suitable for color film, however by sacrificing a bit of light. The numbers stand (from my experience) for the power, 6 provides more light than 3.

I have no idea about the suffix N…?

Edited July 17, 2022 by Helge

[ravenxarmy]

I just took a B out of the box and yes, they are blue! 
Awesome. Time to experiment with this...