Print Viewing Light Booth - which one and where?

[Josh-H]

I need to get a new Light Booth for print evaluation - any recommendations on type and where to buy?

Ta.

[DanielStone]

1. what size do you need? what's the largest print you'll ever print, or ever want to print? I'd go one size larger than that size, just in case.

2. Have you thought of building your own? I'd imagine it wouldn't be too hard. And save some(or a lot of) green too. Also, what about just using a clean, smooth, sanded and painted flat black(or zone V OR VI) wall?

3. here's a small review on the LL site

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/...es/pdv-3d.shtml


but on size, one of my friends works in a lab doing large lightjet prints for critical clients (lots of museums), and he works with 40x50 prints all day. They use a setup similar to a bay-window(with the windows walled up) style , so there is reflectance off of the walls to the site, creating a "wrapping" light that hits from pretty much all the angles. They use daylight balanced flourescents for lighting above. They do critical work, and they build their own, due to the large print size.

-Dan

[Josh-H]

Thanks Dan -Good question on the size - I am really not 100% sure. Most of my prints for clients are on 13 x 19 paper - but they do go larger on occasion and I do print my own landscape images both for myself and for sale to larger sizes.

I think I may end up building something.

[Craig Murphy]

Why not get the Solux bulbs and arrange them however you want.    Seems way easier than a light booth.

[digitaldog]

If you need to work with outside providers, you’ll likely need a Fluorescent booth. I really like those by GTI as they are not super expensive and have (on some models), digital dimmers. That makes setting display and booth luminance easier.

Solux is the more ideal light source. You can build your own booth or use one or more of their nice task lamps. Downside is adjusting luminance is done by moving the physical location of the light which can be tricky (you don’t want to spill onto the display).

I have both. I prefer the Solux but often need to use the GTI working with print shops and the like.

[Craig Murphy]

Solux is also selling those grid for the lights so they don't spill as much.  $10 per grid and then $5ea for the clip to hold them on.  Probably rig your own snoot with tin foil etc.