Do uncoated xenon flash tubes or clear domes pose a UV eye hazard?

Asked 12/21/2013

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I’m trying to understand whether photographic xenon flash tubes can emit enough ultraviolet light to be dangerous, especially when using a clear dome or an uncoated tube. I’ve also seen references to “UV-coated” versus uncoated flash tubes/domes and wasn’t sure whether the coating increases or reduces UV output. Is the purpose of a UV coating to block UV, and are normal photographic flashes considered a significant eye hazard in typical use?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

12y ago

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I see photographers casually discussing whether they are going to use UV-coated domes or tubes just to get better pictures of white dresses.

I think you misunderstood. From what I've read, wedding photographers particularly want to avoid bright ultraviolet light when photographing a wedding dress because the UV can cause the brighteners added to fabrics to fluoresce, giving the dress an unwelcome blue cast.

It seems that "clear" is between UV-coated and frosted, and it seems that UV-coated emits more UV.

I believe that's backward. The UV coating is supposed to reduce the amount of UV and avoid the fluorescence problem; see What does UV coating do for a flash tube? for more.

Also, note that this is mostly only an issue when talking about larger strobes, like studio units. Hotshoe flashes (a.k.a. Speedlights or Speedlites) typically have a plastic lens in front of the tube that will block UV light.

Originally by user4262. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user4262

12y ago

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In photographic lighting, “UV-coated” generally means the coating reduces UV output, not increases it. Photographers sometimes prefer UV-reduced tubes or domes because UV can make optical brighteners in white fabrics fluoresce, causing an unwanted bluish cast, especially with larger studio strobes.

A clear vs. frosted dome is a separate issue: frosting mainly affects diffusion and can shift color temperature, but it is not the same as UV treatment.

Based on the answers here, ordinary photographic flash use is not generally treated as a major UV eye hazard in normal practice. The concern discussed by photographers is usually color/fluorescence effects, not blinding subjects. This is more commonly talked about with bigger studio strobes than with small hot-shoe flashes.

So, if your goal is safety and neutral color, a UV-coated tube/dome is intended to reduce UV. If your concern is eye safety in normal photographic use, these flashes are not typically regarded as dangerously UV-intensive in the way germicidal UV sources are.

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