The invention discloses a drive circuit and a method for controlling a drive circuit for a flash tube. The drive circuit comprises a capacitor and a first inductor switch group comprising a first inductor and at least one first switch connected in series with each other. The first inductor switch group is configured to be connected in series with the flash tube and the capacitor. The drive unit further comprises at least a second inductor switch group comprising a second inductor and at least one second switch connected in series with each other and configured to be connected in series with the flash tube and the capacitor, and in parallel with the first inductor switch group. The method further comprises the steps of receiving input parameters related to a desired flash characteristics, and controlling the first and second switches separately based on the received input parameters to obtain the desired flash characteristics.