Method and device for controlling quantity of light from flash lamp externally attached to digital camera

A control device for controlling an externally attached flash lamp of a digital camera including an internally provided flash lamp, said internally provided flash lamp being controlled to effect a preliminary emission and thereafter a principal emission of light, said control device comprising:

• a first discharge tube and a second discharge tube;
• a first main capacitor for supplying power to said first discharge tube for emission of light and a second main capacitor for supplying power to said second discharge tube for emission of light;
• light generating means for causing said externally attached flash lamp to effect a first emission of light in response to said preliminary emission by said first discharge tube and a second emission of light in response to said principal emission by said second discharge tube;
• and
• light emission controlling means for stopping said second emission of light when enough quantity of light specified by said camera as required for said second emission has been emitted.