Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Colour Management => Topic started by: John Rodriguez on September 12, 2013, 10:22:30 pm

Title: E26 (ie household 120v) High CRI D50 Bulbs?
Post by: John Rodriguez on September 12, 2013, 10:22:30 pm

I'm looking for a high CRI 5000k bulb for print evaluation.  I know about the Solux PAR bulbs but they're 3000k unfortunately.  Suggestions?

Title: Re: E26 (ie household 120v) High CRI D50 Bulbs?
Post by: pluton on September 16, 2013, 01:33:08 am

Search out the KinoFlo® KF55 26 watt, medium screw-base(E26) CFL bulb.
KinoFlo is a 25-year supplier of lighting instruments to the motion picture and television industry, and pioneered the "truly color-correct", photographically useful flourescent tube and related fixtures. It's 5500ºK and not 5000ºK, however. 

Title: Re: E26 (ie household 120v) High CRI D50 Bulbs?
Post by: John Rodriguez on September 16, 2013, 12:08:59 pm

Perfect, thanks Pluton!  5500k is fine.  The main things I'm looking for are high CRI and daylight balanced, this fits the bill.

Title: Re: E26 (ie household 120v) High CRI D50 Bulbs?
Post by: Scott Martin on September 16, 2013, 12:30:12 pm

I'd go with the Solux bulbs anyway. The idea that 5000K is important is a myth - what's really important is the CRI and that's where Solux excels. Since human perception has chromatic adaptation, we adapt to these different color temps, except for a subtle psychological effect. Cold light 5000+K lights gives us a feeling like we're in a sterile hospital environment. Warm 2700K lighting gives us a homey "I feel like sleeping" feeling.

IMO, High CRI 3000-4000 is the perfect temp for critical print viewing as it gives us neither of those impressions - when you walk into a room light in this way it just feels right. Just my opinion! [as someone who consults with a lot of people internationally on lighting and CM issues]

Title: Re: E26 (ie household 120v) High CRI D50 Bulbs?
Post by: John Rodriguez on September 16, 2013, 06:43:37 pm

Thanks Scott.  I've heard solid arguments for both, so I plan on trying both :)