We report measurements of dynamic range, gain profile and absolute gain of three second-generation image intensifiers under pulsed illumination. One electrostatically focused (Mullard 1330) and two proximity focused (Varo 9732 and Photek microchannel plate 140) image intensifiers have been characterized. The dynamic ranges were found to be 240, 560, and 400 for the Mullard, Varo, and Photek tubes, respectively, for all gain settings. At a microchannel plate bias voltage of 900 V the radiant gain for these tubes is 4*103, 3*104, and 2*103, respectively. The sensitivity and dynamic range of the charge-coupled device camera recording system were found to be superior to that of conventional highspeed film (Kodak TMAX).