OpenTube

Bare Bulb Flash | Ask David Bergman

Adorama

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Today's question from Andrew B. is, "I have a couple flashes that have a bare bulb attachment. They don't have a ton of power, so I don't want to restrict it, but what would I use the bare bulb for?"

Go to http://www.AskDavidBergman.com to submit your own photo question, see David's gear list, and view the episode archive.

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✘ PRODUCTS USED:

Flashpoint eVOLV 200 Pocket Flash
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Glow Lantern Softbox
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✘ PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT USED:

Canon EOS R Mirrorless Full Frame Digital Camera Body
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Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens
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Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Black Aluminum Tripod with MVH502AH Pro Video Head https://www.adorama.com/bg055xprob52....

CLAR Illumi Max 500 High Power 5600K LED Light
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Glow EZ Lock Octa Quick XL Softbox With Bowens Mount (48")
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20 Comments

@JoeMustang99 4 years ago

The small umbrella attachment for the bare bulb AD-200 head works very well in tight spaces and helps focus the light toward the subject without losing any light to the sides.

@Mariner1460 4 years ago

I did a bunch of testing in a room with dark walls using various modifiers. Bottom line was, yes the bulb eats more power, but it typically gives a better overall light pattern. By “better”, I mean smoother and broader (at least in my modifiers.). In a double diffused soft box, they look about the same (except bulb was a bit warmer), but used with a collapsible beauty dish or umbrella, the fresnel had more of a hot center and more of a “splotchy” look from edge to edge. As for my umbrella, Fresnel was best shoot-through while bulb was clearly better bounced. Oh, another benefit of the bulb is the ability to use the small direct mount modifiers like the snoot and reflector. The reflector is way bigger than the fresnel, but it makes up for the power loss and delivers a very nice round and even pattern.

@brad_in_yyc 4 years ago

Never used a bare bulb as I didn't really know how it would change my light and the Fresnel just works for what I do. But that's super interesting to know and I may use it in the future!

@ScottTice1971 4 years ago

Only when I forget my soft box. :)

@gerardferry3958 4 years ago

fresnel light is smaller as its focused and its source is smaller than the bulb

@LMActionsports 4 years ago

I use the bare bulb all the time when I use my ad200’s in my softboxes.

@felixrodriguez4263 4 years ago

Great way to use bare bulb in small space to spread the light on the subject. It gives me another hat trick in my kit of photography. Thanks David

@richarddominguez8268 4 years ago

I was a medical photographer for 46 years. The bare bulb I use it in all my surgeries and autopsy and open-heart. We had the old Norman B 200 and B400. I use a special bracket that allowed the flash head to be right over the front top of the lens. It was a manmade ring light. 105 micro Nikor at f16 a perfect exposure every time. Open heart I use a Hasselblad Elm motor drive camera with a ring light, with a grip that allowed me to hold the camera outreach hovering over the open cavity. The bare bulb is limited if you do not know to use it,. Richard

@johnleighdesigns 4 years ago

great stuff thanks for sharing - For the speedlite guys (thats me that is) Ive tried adding a dome or stofen diffuser to the speedlite to mimic a "bare bulb" sticking out - It loses a stop and half of light but does seem to do similar job spreading the light inside an umbrella or softbox to even out and fill the modifier with less of a hotspot

@bfs5113 4 years ago

My introduction to bare bulb flash photography was around 1983 using a Vivitar 4600 flash + BB attachment.

@wadecoffie7255 1 year ago

I really like your simple non technical clear conscience explanations without talking over my head. I always walk away with a clear understanding. Thanks so much David. I look forward to the next video 😊

@ajbid805 4 years ago

great explanation, however if I were a bit of a stickler, I would say raising your ISO makes a difference because you're raising your ambient light which could break up your shadows a little bit.

@photographyandvideotutoria8053 1 year ago

Thanks, David, that was exactly what I was looking for. I reckon I'll hit the subscribe button and join the 1.3 million subscribers you've earned. :)

@rickbulak4615 4 years ago

I use reflective umbrella with 7" reflector attached to ad200 bare bulb to direct light to back of umbrella. Great for portraits and small groups. More efficient than Fresnel head.

@farthead8901 4 years ago

i use the AD200 bare bulb, with softbox in my studio all the time.

@zacisoutoffocus 4 years ago

Great explanation David! That is a great piece of kit and it’s nice to have both heads included.

@juliuscaesarsanchezrimando9392 4 years ago

Thank you Mr. Bergman and Adorama

@rickierecardophotography7406 4 years ago

I shot bare bulb this weekend, the results (in my opinion) was nice and soft. I'm starting to play around with bare bulb flash more often.

@jimmyhill9591 4 years ago

One use you didn't mention where the bare bulb works better is in a tall strip softbox. You get far more even light from top to bottom than with a Fresnel, though overall it will meter a bit lower for a given power setting. I've found the same is true if you are using a large bounce umbrella with a diffusion cover(Photek Softlighter or similar).

Since I work indoors, and the eVOLV 200's have power to spare in my case, I use the bare bulbs with those very modifiers all the time. In strip boxes they make evenly lighting a background easy as pie.

@donprice8925 4 years ago

Before I even knew what I was doing I bought the AD200 and found that I preferred working with the bare bulb. Even now with some experience on the books I still prefer it for mostly the same qualities you mentioned.