Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
strobe light = flash light
English answer:
strobe = flash (US)
Added to glossary by
Krzysztof Raczkowiak
Apr 24, 2010 16:04
14 yrs ago
24 viewers *
English term
Poland
Communications guaranteed
Native in: Polish 
Works in: English to Polish, Polish to English, Polish
strobe light = flash light
English
Tech/Engineering
Electronics / Elect Eng
digital camcorder user manual
Hello, folks!
I am working on a digicamcorder translation into Polish.
In the "Parts of the camera" section there is an element called "strobe light window" (as a built-in element of the equipment).
My question is the following: are "strobe light" and "flashlight" used synonymously? Or should I take it literally and write that the camera is equipped with a stroboscope lamp? I find it hard to believe the latter, given that the product is not a high-end-ultra-pro staff.
Thanks in advance for any assistance!
I am working on a digicamcorder translation into Polish.
In the "Parts of the camera" section there is an element called "strobe light window" (as a built-in element of the equipment).
My question is the following: are "strobe light" and "flashlight" used synonymously? Or should I take it literally and write that the camera is equipped with a stroboscope lamp? I find it hard to believe the latter, given that the product is not a high-end-ultra-pro staff.
Thanks in advance for any assistance!
Responses
| 4 +2 | strobe = flash (US) |
Anna Herbst
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| 5 +1 | Not the same |
Gary D
|
Responses
+2
1 day 13 hrs
Anna Herbst
Australia
Australia
Native in English
&
English
Australia
When quality matters more
Native in: Swedish 
, English
Works in: English to Swedish, Swedish to English, Swedish, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Selected
strobe = flash (US)
It appears that the two are used interchangeably in American English whereas they would be slightly different things in British English; see the dictionary entries at PhotoNotes.org:
"Flash unit.
An electronic device which can reliably and repeatedly illuminate a scene with a brief burst of artificial light. Electronic flash units, also called flash guns, studio strobes or just flashes, do not require single-use bulbs and can be used over and over."
"Strobe.
North American meaning: any electronic flash unit, though frequently a large standalone unit for use in a studio. (studio strobe)
UK meaning: usually a device which produces regular intense bursts of pulsating or flashing light. "
And on PhotographyReview.com's forum the following explanations were given to the question "What is the difference (if any) between a strobe and a flash?" :
"/.../ it has become common practice for people to use the terms strobe/flash interchangeably, so I guess there is no harm doing so too. The distinction between the two terms has been somewhat “blurred” together."
and a second answer:
"When it comes to photographic lighting, the two terms are interchangable. They are both generic labels for the same thing. They both refer to the way in which a device achieves its illumination and nothing more."
In Australia a strobe is defined as "a high-intensity flash device used in stroboscopic photography..." by the Macquarie Dictionary 2nd ed.
"Flash unit.
An electronic device which can reliably and repeatedly illuminate a scene with a brief burst of artificial light. Electronic flash units, also called flash guns, studio strobes or just flashes, do not require single-use bulbs and can be used over and over."
"Strobe.
North American meaning: any electronic flash unit, though frequently a large standalone unit for use in a studio. (studio strobe)
UK meaning: usually a device which produces regular intense bursts of pulsating or flashing light. "
And on PhotographyReview.com's forum the following explanations were given to the question "What is the difference (if any) between a strobe and a flash?" :
"/.../ it has become common practice for people to use the terms strobe/flash interchangeably, so I guess there is no harm doing so too. The distinction between the two terms has been somewhat “blurred” together."
and a second answer:
"When it comes to photographic lighting, the two terms are interchangable. They are both generic labels for the same thing. They both refer to the way in which a device achieves its illumination and nothing more."
In Australia a strobe is defined as "a high-intensity flash device used in stroboscopic photography..." by the Macquarie Dictionary 2nd ed.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Tony M
: It is true that even in the UK, we sometimes use the term 'strobe' (incorrectly, alas!) for large stand-alone studio flash units.
42 mins
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The American influence is strong... Thanks Tony.
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| agree |
kmtext
2 hrs
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Thank you!
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| neutral |
jccantrell
: While your statment is true, you must differentiate, a strobe light is NOT a flashlight!
13 hrs
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you for your help, Anne. I do appreciate the time you spent digging through resources. Thanks!"
+1
16 hrs
Not the same
You cannot use them as the same as they are different.
A flash light has a single on off switching device like a electronic trigger or a on off switch. A torch is called a flash light and on new flash lights they have a warning strobe lights attached to the back of them in the case of emergency.. The strobe light on these torches is usually a LED light.
A strobe light uses a transformer (coil) and a Condenser that has a electronic trigger which enables the Hi light to strobe (flash quickly)
Strobe lights were first used commercially mainly as timing lights to make the Cranksharft balancer (dampener) on the engine to appear stationary so the timing can be adjusted. Eventually they were used in other fields such as Art and Dance, chemistry and and in the field of electronics.
Strobe lights AND flash lights are attached to all life vests in aircraft.
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Note added at 16 hrs (2010-04-25 08:51:59 GMT)
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On a camera it is just called a "Flash"
light is not required.
Some high end cameras use a strobe function to take special photos.. My Nikon has a strobe function.
Flash function and strobe light window
Hope this is as clear as mud.
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Note added at 16 hrs (2010-04-25 08:56:12 GMT)
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Window is the 'frame' you wish to shoot
A flash light has a single on off switching device like a electronic trigger or a on off switch. A torch is called a flash light and on new flash lights they have a warning strobe lights attached to the back of them in the case of emergency.. The strobe light on these torches is usually a LED light.
A strobe light uses a transformer (coil) and a Condenser that has a electronic trigger which enables the Hi light to strobe (flash quickly)
Strobe lights were first used commercially mainly as timing lights to make the Cranksharft balancer (dampener) on the engine to appear stationary so the timing can be adjusted. Eventually they were used in other fields such as Art and Dance, chemistry and and in the field of electronics.
Strobe lights AND flash lights are attached to all life vests in aircraft.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 16 hrs (2010-04-25 08:51:59 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
On a camera it is just called a "Flash"
light is not required.
Some high end cameras use a strobe function to take special photos.. My Nikon has a strobe function.
Flash function and strobe light window
Hope this is as clear as mud.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 16 hrs (2010-04-25 08:56:12 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Window is the 'frame' you wish to shoot
Note from asker:
| Thank you, Gary. I decided to chose Anne's answer as more suitable in the context. Take care! |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
jccantrell
: or flash unit might work, too.
1 day 10 hrs
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Thank you very much for your input it is a good suggestion
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Discussion
The camera has a "still" option.
I also suspect that it is a simple shooting light. Still, I will wait for some more opinions. Thanks, Tony!
I suspect this is just a shooting light (possibly behind a small diffuser so it looks a bit like a flash or strobe).
Note that 'flashlight' in US EN refers to a pocket lamp or torch, quite different from a photographic 'flash unit'.