Question about Speedlites

[wickerprints]

So, I haven't really seen any information out there about this question I have, but then again, I didn't search super hard.


Do the flash lamps in the Canon Speedlites (or similar flash units) eventually burn out or diminish in intensity? If so, how long do they typically last?

[ShutterbugJohan]

Do the flash lamps in the Canon Speedlites (or similar flash units) eventually burn out or diminish in intensity?

They can burn out, but I don't think that they lose intensity as they get older. Even if they do lose intensity, they should compensate by "overexposing" to get the proper exposure.

If so, how long do they typically last?

Long enough that I've only heard of one that was burnt out, and it was from the 1970s or 80s. I'm sure it happens more often than that, though. [] I think that this is an issue that is very unlikely to affect most of us.

[Wes]

I had an old Vivatar flash that was over 20 years old when I finally got rid of it and it was still going strong so who knows how long will last.