In photography, one of the most useful features is the flash. Whether it is taking a clearer picture in dim light or making it possible to snap a picture in the dark, the flash plays a big role. While most people do not take enough photographs to ever ask the question, the truth is, like any light bulb, the flash on a camera has a limited lifespan.
In theory, camera flashes can last millions of cycles, far longer than the other parts on a camera. However, there are compounding issues and external factors that can decrease the lifespan of a camera flash.
The flash on a camera is important in many situations, and ensuring yours lasts as long as possible is crucial, even if it is just to save you money. Today, you will learn more about the lifespan of camera flashes, what affects that lifespan, and how it can come to a premature end.
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How Long Do Camera Flashes Last?
The lifespan of a camera flash is dependent on many things, starting from the type of flash you buy. Every model will have its own estimations determined by various factors, including the energy used and the quality of the product put together.
In truth, it is a rather pointless question for most, especially when a built-in flash is considered. The reason for this is that the shutter of most cameras has a lower estimated lifespan than the average camera flash, which can last for millions of cycles. Comparing that to the hundreds of thousands that most shutters do makes it obvious.
However, there are some things that can cause a camera flash to fail more quickly, and those are the more important factors to keep in mind when determining the actual life of a camera flash versus its theoretical lifespan.
The Types of Camera Flash Failure
A camera flash is not a light bulb in the traditional sense. Instead, a flashtube is used, which is designed to deliver an intense, short-lived burst of white light. While this is perfect for taking a well-lit picture, it can cause a great deal of heat, especially if multiple pictures are taken within a short duration.
Heat is not the only problem, either. Improper use, the build-up of energy, and a mix of those conditions and time can reduce the lifespan of a flash.
Catastrophic Failure of a Camera Flash
Considering the long theoretical lifespan of a camera flash, it might take a catastrophic failure to bring a camera flash to a premature end. A catastrophic failure can result from a lot of things, and it can even end with something as shocking as the light shattering. However, the main two causes of catastrophic failure are:
- Energy
- Heat
Energy is responsible for structural failure, mainly when dealing with the glass envelope. This problem occurs when there is an excessive amount of energy used during the pulse. Under normal circumstances, a camera flash will make a noise, something akin to the tapping of glass. However, if “explosion energy” levels are reached, it can shatter.
Most flashes do not allow this to happen, with calculations going into cooling and determining the thickness of glass through something called power loading, but it is a type of catastrophic failure that can end a camera flash’s life early. On the other side of things, heat can be a major issue as well, particularly if the flash is being used often.
Heat is caused by several things, but a higher than average amount of energy being used can cause heat to build up. The same is true of longer flash durations. The end result is the light cracking, which is one of the reasons it is advised to give a flash cooling time, something far more important for high-powered flashes.
Gradual Failure of a Camera Flash
Under normal circumstances, gradual failure occurs very slowly, taking years of a massive number of cycles. However, the average amount of energy used can decrease the lifespan of a camera flash rapidly. Usually, the percentage of energy used is compared to the “explosion energy” point to calculate this.
- 30% or Less of Explosion Energy: Low chance of catastrophic failure.
- 50% of Explosion Energy: Thousands of flashes before catastrophic failure.
- 60% of Explosion Energy: Potentially less than one hundred flashes before catastrophic failure.
If the camera flash is operated at a low percentage of explosion energy, then problems other than catastrophic failure before the focal point. In fact, it becomes less about the complete destruction of the flash and more about a gradual decrease in performance.
Of the things that can happen to a camera flash, the two that really determine its lifespan are:
- Sputter
- Ablation
Keep in mind that when operated at these standards, the lifetime of a camera flash is somewhere in the millions, potentially even as long as tens of millions of flashes. Assuming proper care, that means a camera flash could last a lifetime.
Sputter and Ablation
Sputter occurs at the truly low levels of explosion energy, somewhere below 15%. It can also occur with long pulse durations. Sputter is a process in which the metal from the cathode is vaporized. The metal, having nowhere to go, is deposited on the wall of the bulb. With the metal on the bulb, it blocks the light output, which grows worse over time.
This method of gradual failure is common, and it is impossible to stop entirely. However, the amount of sputter that occurs varies greatly, not just due to the energy used or external concerns but through the type of camera light.
Ablation occurs at a higher energy level than sputter. What happens with ablation is that the electrical arc created from the higher energy level begins to erode the wall. Due to this, cracks begin to form, and soon, the pressure on the glass increases. When this happens, the chance of the camera light rupturing increases.
What Affects the Lifespan of a Camera Flash
Energy and heat are the two biggest problems, and what affects a camera flash’s lifespan is also dependent on that. Some of the most important things to keep in mind for estimating the lifespan of your camera flash are:
- Inappropriate Camera Flash: If you use the flash at a high output, at levels that put it in the high explosion energy percentages, the flash will fail faster. You can often adjust the power output, though it depends on what intensity flash you need. Use a flash, even an external flash, to suit the situation if possible.
- Temperature: Temperature differential affects the lifespan of a camera flash. In fact, the temperature differential is a major player in catastrophic failures. Therefore, if you plan to travel to extreme temperatures, bring a flash designed for that. Also, remember to allow time for the camera flash to cool down.
In truth, there are various things that can affect the life of a camera flash. But taking proper care of the flash and using it as intended go a long way.
Conclusion
Camera flashes have a long lifespan, eclipsing that of a camera shutter of other parts of the camera. However, there are also many factors that can cut that life short. When determining the lifespan of your camera flash, it is important to take how you will use it into account, allowing you to estimate the chances of failure.
If you use a camera flash with care and use the right camera flash for the job, you might not have to worry about your camera flash failing for the foreseeable future.
