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When and why did a "flash" become a "speedlite"?

Or is there a difference?

Mike wrote:
> When and why did a "flash" become a "speedlite"?
>
> Or is there a difference?
>
>

Marketing?

--
--
Ben Thomas - Software Engineer - Melbourne, Australia

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Disclaimer:
Opinions, conclusions, and other information in this message that do not
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given nor endorsed by it.

"Ben Thomas" <> wrote in message
news:2kc1sc.el.ln@192.168.11.2...
> Mike wrote:
>> When and why did a "flash" become a "speedlite"?
>>
>> Or is there a difference?
>
> Marketing?
>
> --
> --
> Ben Thomas - Software Engineer - Melbourne, Australia
>
> My Digital World:
> Kodak DX6490, Canon i9950, Pioneer A05;
> Hitachi 37" HD plasma display, DGTEC 2000A,
> Denon 2800, H/K AVR4500, Whatmough Encore;
> Sony Ericsson K700i, Palm Tungsten T.
>
> Disclaimer:
> Opinions, conclusions, and other information in this message that do not
> relate to the official business of my employer shall be understood as
> neither
> given nor endorsed by it.

If you suggest it Ben, far be it from me to disagree.
Ironic though with the trend toward shortening words and phrases...i.e.
LCD, EVF, CF, DVD, etc, "Speedlite" replaces a much easier to say, type,
and comprehend --- "Flash".

Maybe that's why I'm not a bean counter. No offense to any bean counters
out there.

Mike

> Marketing?

Yes, as I recall it originally referred to the flash's ability to quickly
recharge.

"Mike" <> wrote in message news:kJXEd.62$...
>
>
> Maybe that's why I'm not a bean counter. No offense to any bean counters
> out there.

None taken. I suspect they could not trademark "flash."

"Mike" <> writes:

> When and why did a "flash" become a "speedlite"?

Not a general term, so far as I know; some one brand's tradename.

When I was first in photography, "flash" might very well be expendable
bulbs, and we called the electronic things "strobes" mostly (even
though ours would only flash once before a relatively slow recharge
interval).
--
David Dyer-Bennet, <mailto:dd->, <http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/>
RKBA: <http://noguns-nomoney.com/> <http://www.dd-b.net/carry/>
Pics: <http://dd-b.lighthunters.net/> <http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/SnapshotAlbum/>
Dragaera/Steven Brust: <http://dragaera.info/>

In article <>, dd- says...
>
>"Mike" <> writes:
>
>> When and why did a "flash" become a "speedlite"?
>
>Not a general term, so far as I know; some one brand's tradename.
>
>When I was first in photography, "flash" might very well be expendable
>bulbs, and we called the electronic things "strobes" mostly (even
>though ours would only flash once before a relatively slow recharge
>interval).
>--
>David Dyer-Bennet, <mailto:dd->, <http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/>
>RKBA: <http://noguns-nomoney.com/> <http://www.dd-b.net/carry/>
>Pics: <http://dd-b.lighthunters.net/> <http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/
SnapshotAlbum/>
>Dragaera/Steven Brust: <http://dragaera.info/>

One of the first battry-powered, electronic flashes was Polaroid's "Winkie
Light." Now, aren't we ever grateful that that name did not stick.

Hunt

"David Dyer-Bennet" <dd-> wrote in message
news:...
> "Mike" <> writes:
>
>> When and why did a "flash" become a "speedlite"?
>
> Not a general term, so far as I know; some one brand's tradename.
>
> When I was first in photography, "flash" might very well be expendable
> bulbs, and we called the electronic things "strobes" mostly (even
> though ours would only flash once before a relatively slow recharge
> interval).
> --
> David Dyer-Bennet, <mailto:dd->, <http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/>
> RKBA: <http://noguns-nomoney.com/> <http://www.dd-b.net/carry/>
> Pics: <http://dd-b.lighthunters.net/>
> <http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/SnapshotAlbum/>
> Dragaera/Steven Brust: <http://dragaera.info/>

Thanks for the information David, and also to the others responding to my
original query.

I've been doing photography a long time also, but only recently into digital
photography.
Flash bulbs and strobes are familiar names, but the term "speedlite" is new
and may very well be a trade name that others have simply adopted.

BTW David....using a high voltage battery, the "old time" flash units were
virtually instant in their rate of fire. Those packs were worn on the belt
line. I believe they were two 90 volt dry batteries in series, but may be
mistaken on that.

Again, thanks all for the help.

Mike

"Hunt" <> wrote in message
news:...
> In article <>, dd- says...
>>
>>"Mike" <> writes:
>>
>>> When and why did a "flash" become a "speedlite"?
>>
>>Not a general term, so far as I know; some one brand's tradename.
>>
>>When I was first in photography, "flash" might very well be expendable
>>bulbs, and we called the electronic things "strobes" mostly (even
>>though ours would only flash once before a relatively slow recharge
>>interval).
>>--
>>David Dyer-Bennet, <mailto:dd->, <http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/>
>>RKBA: <http://noguns-nomoney.com/> <http://www.dd-b.net/carry/>
>>Pics: <http://dd-b.lighthunters.net/> <http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/
> SnapshotAlbum/>
>>Dragaera/Steven Brust: <http://dragaera.info/>
>
> One of the first battry-powered, electronic flashes was Polaroid's "Winkie
> Light." Now, aren't we ever grateful that that name did not stick.
>
> Hunt
>
I still have a "Wink Light". It's more of a 'fill flash' than the usual,
more powerful "flash", or in today's terms: "Speedlite". It too uses a
high voltage battery that probably isn't made any longer.

Mike

Mike wrote:
> When and why did a "flash" become a "speedlite"?
>
> Or is there a difference?
>
>
Back in the 50's and 60's a flash was simply that a flash bulb i a
reflector. And a Speedlight was an electronic flash such as the 400 watt
second Graphic used with he press cameras of the day. Had nothing to do
with marketing.