Photoflood

Overview

A photoflood (also "photoflood lamp" or "Fotolampe") is an incandescent lamp developed as a continuous light source (practical light) for photographic and early cinematic lighting. The tungsten filament is operated at a significantly higher temperature than ordinary incandescent lamps ("overload"/overrun). As a result, the lamp delivers brightness far exceeding what its wattage would suggest, and a color temperature high enough for film. The price for this is a very short lifespan.

Therefore, a photoflood is not a specific light fixture or grip equipment, but the lamp type itself (the light source). It is screwed into a simple reflector socket or a spotlight housing.

Types and ANSI Codes

Classically, two sizes are distinguished, each assigned an ANSI lamp code:

Related photoflood lamp codes include BBA (250 W, 3400 K) and ECT (500 W, 3200 K). The ECA type is an A-23 lamp with a medium base (E26) and a C-9 tungsten filament, common for 120 V; in Europe, corresponding 230/240 V versions were available.

Use on Set

For decades, photofloods were the affordable workhorse for studio portraits, product photography, and smaller film shoots. Due to their high color temperature, they are suitable for tungsten-balanced film stock; 3400 K types are closer to daylight mixes than the standard 3200 K lamps.

• Advantage: very high light output per watt, low acquisition cost, immediately ready continuous light.
• Disadvantage: extremely short burn time (a few to around twenty hours) and high heat generation; the color temperature noticeably drops over the lamp's lifespan.

In modern productions, photofloods have largely been replaced for primary illumination by more durable tungsten-halogen lamps and LED fixtures. A continuing niche is visible practicals/props: When a lamp is intended to be lit within the frame itself, its high output ensures it remains clearly visible on film even against bright set lighting.