Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/12/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I believe that the "B" on the shutter speed dial does stand for bulb. Back in the olden days, good shutters would have a "T" setting for time exposures and a "B" setting for bulb exposures. The "T" setting would require that the shutter release be pressed once to open the shutter and again to close the shutter. This setting would be used for longer time exposures. For shorter exposures, a "B" setting was used. Rather than a cable release, the photographer would have a squeeze bulb and tubing connected to the shutter mechanism. Pressing and holding the bulb would cause the shutter to open due to the air pressure and releasing the bulb would allow the shutter to close. I believe that you can still buy bulbs and tubing to use on the shutter release. (wire cable has some disadvantages in that it is not flexible like air tubing --- also, you get very little camera movement when using air as opposed to the modern, locking, cable releases). At least that was the way that it was explained to me. Regards, Bill - -----Original Message----- From: Martin Howard <howard.390@osu.edu> To: Leica Users Group <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Date: Sunday, December 26, 1999 4:20 PM Subject: [Leica] B | |It is commonly said that the "B" on the shutter speed dial stands for |"bulb". This doesn't seem to make much sense. Does anyone know the story |behind this, or what the "B" *really* stands for? | |M. | |-- |Martin Howard | |Visiting Scholar, CSEL, OSU | What boots up must come down. |email: howard.390@osu.edu | |www: http://mvhoward.i.am/ +--------------------------------------- |