patrick_s2 Posted April 18, 2004 Share Posted April 18, 2004 Hi all, I picked up a used flash the other day at a camera store "close-out" sale for 40 bucks and have a few questions about it. It is a vivitar 283 with a bare bulb and parabolic reflector...and what looks like a coffee cas lid being used as a diffuser. I bought it as a back up for my other 283, which I use with a promax 80-20 diffuser - which seems to work fine for b/w indoor candids. My question is this - what is the difference in bare-bulb lighting versus regular flash lighting? Thanks to all who post. Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_ferguson1 Posted April 18, 2004 Share Posted April 18, 2004 Do you mean what's the difference in the results? If so it's chiefly that in an enclosed space the light bounces off all the walls and the ceiling, and therefore gives a very soft light. Some bare bulb flashes have a mask or filter that sits in front of the bare bulb, making sure that it's chiefly or only reflected light that reaches the subject. Bare bulbs are also sometimes the only solution for ultra-wide angle lenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick_s2 Posted April 18, 2004 Author Share Posted April 18, 2004 Should you aim the bare bulb directly at the subject? Or should you try and bounce it... thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted April 18, 2004 Share Posted April 18, 2004 bare bulb does not give you softer lighting but does spread the light in all directions. Point it up. BY the way is it an Armatar or NVS modified 283? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_prouty Posted April 18, 2004 Share Posted April 18, 2004 The tube should be pointing straight up for bare bulb. The light eminates around the tube not from the tip of it. Hope that's clear! Someone else might have better language than me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_hovland Posted April 18, 2004 Share Posted April 18, 2004 A bare bulb will give you gray shadows with sharp edges. Consider placing it in front of a flat reflector to keep the light from spreading 360 degrees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick_s2 Posted April 19, 2004 Author Share Posted April 19, 2004 It looks like a vivitar 283 with a reflector...lumidyne or norman - I can't tell. It is not one of the bulky armitor type flashes. So, Shoot it straight up? Hmm... Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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