Battery–capacitor flash
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Polaroid_bc_flash_model_281_IMGP1842_WP.jpg/220px-Polaroid_bc_flash_model_281_IMGP1842_WP.jpg)
Polaroid BC flash model 281
A battery–capacitor flash (BC flash) is a flash photography system used with flashbulbs. Instead of relying directly on the current pulse ability of a battery to directly fire a flashbulb, a battery is used to charge a capacitor that is then discharged through the flashbulb. BC flash units use 5.6 V, 15 V, or 22½ V batteries.
Advantages[]
The advantage is that even with an ageing battery, the flashbulb still gets a high current pulse and thus reliably fires, although the recycle time between flashes increases as the battery ages.
See also[]
References[]
- Electronics for Photographers, by Marshall Lincoln, Copyright 1966 by Chilton Books, pp 43–54.
- Capacitors & Batteries, Boston University Physics Department
Categories:
- Flash photography
- Photographic lighting
- Photography stubs