Full spectrum bulbs

[EricJ]

Just a look at what I use to get all the "sunlight" I need for those dark winter months. I love these things! they really show colors true, and reduce eyestrain as well.

Bulbs


They are admittedly more expensive then normal bulbs, but it's worth it! And they last nearly forever! You have to make sure it specifically says "full spectrum" on the bulb description, and not just "daylight" bulbs. Daylight refers only to the color temperature of the light, not how that color is achieved, where as full spectrum is telling you that the color of the light is achieved by using light from all the wavelengths. Full spectrum should usually fall in the 5000's in terms of color temperature, which also happens to be what is commonly reffered to as "daylight" since it's a nice white light.

[demonherald]

just looking for new lamps for painting and photography..nice insurance check to burn.....Ambient light in my painting area at the moment is damn spotlights so I get shadows everywhere ... a real pain in the wotsit...
can you recommend any good lamps.. These bulbs are just the ticket but what about holders...???

[EricJ]

I've just used generic arm lamps, which I got for about $7 at my local office supply store. The bulbs use just normal sockets, so can fit in nearly every lamp (at least here in the US).

One thing to get used to is that when they first light, they're not nearly as bright, but over about a minute they warm up to full intensity, which is a bit odd at first. Also you have to get used to the light, since your eyes almost just see it as sunlight, which feels a bit odd coming from a lamp.

[EricJ]

they do also come in all levels of wattage, and be careful to look at the wattage equivalent, because they get much brighter for the amount of energy used. The 25w I linked is what I used to paint by, but Casey is always telling me to adjust it because it's too bright in her eyes across the room if she can see the bulb.

[supervike]

The light is much better from these bulbs, I totally agree. (color value wise)

BUT It seems to me that the light is dimmer from these types of bulbs...(i don't know how that can be...)

Isn't 'lumens' a measure of their brightness? If I take a typical Incandescant bulb of 100 watts, and compare it to one of these comprable flourescant...it seems to me it's only half of the brightness. BUT, when I look up the lumens of each, the florescant light has a higher value...Can anyone help explain???

I've really been struggling with my painting lamps, and the lighting situation in my art room.

[matty1001]

I have a full spectrum daylight lamp, cost about £20 from John Lewis.

Heres the ion feel happy one: http://www.andatech.com.au/natural-light-ioniser/natural-lamp-ioniser.php

[EricJ]

From what I understand it's more an issue of how we perceive light, and it's the fact that most bulbs are rather harsh and unpretty light, which is something of an eyesore and sort of make the light "stand out" so to speak, where with full spectrum the light doesn't agitate the eyes. As you get more used to the full spectrum I've found this changes, and when I go into a room with normal lights now, it all seems dull and flat and dark. Another reason this can be is due to the fact the bulbs need about a minute or 2 to really warm up and hit their full lumens, so when you switch it on, it is much less bright, (about 1/4 as bright as it will get).

[talonicus]

You can just you standard edison screw lamp holders for these type . But you must make sure to get 220/240v 50hz lamps for the UK.
It may be easier to get these. http://www.bltdirect.com/products.php?cat=443&nm=Energy+Saving+Daylight+Lamps

Lumens is the amount of light that is given off.

Nigel

[PigmentPusher]

It's funny, I've gotten so used to these daylight bulbs for painting, that I've replaced all the bulbs in my place with them. It seems weird going back to the traditional incandescent yellow lights now.

[EricJ]

I know the feeling! My whole house is full spectrum bulbs now, and when I visit other places the light just looks weird to me!

And welcome to the forums PigmentPusher!