Rhys_Hardwick
enthusiast
Reged: 12/04/2007
Posts: 208
Loc: Cardiff, Wales, UK
|
|
Hi all, I was wondering if anyone could give me some guidance on my latest project.
I'm going to make a light-box for viewing my 35mm negatives (and possibly slides in the future). I am going to use some opaque white perspex to put the films on. Under that, obviously, I need a light source.
I first thought of using white LEDs, but then realised there would be an issue with the small angle of light they give off (most are 20 degrees or so). Then I though of using normal incandescent light sources. At the moment, the idea is to have 6-8 12V MES type bulbs powered by a transformer (probably going to get the components at my local Maplins.)
The issues, as I understand them, is going to be colour temperature if I want to view daylight balanced slide film. Most of the negatives I will be viewing will be B&W, so it is less of an issue.
Does anyone have any comments or suggestions? Do you think this idea will work. I am able to do the electronic wiring part, etc, myself.
Thanks for any comments.
--------------------
Rhys Hardwick
www.rhyshardwick.co.uk
Edited by Rhys_Hardwick (23/10/2007 15:08)
|
OneTen
'Two Breakfasts'
Reged: 23/06/2003
Posts: 2237
Loc: Hartland, Devon
|
|
I googled 'daylight bulb' and came up with this: link
--------------------
Richard .......... My Website - My Flickr
|
Woolliscroft
veteran
Reged: 23/08/2005
Posts: 1253
|
|
My wife uses daylight bulbs in her work as a specialist in ancient glass. She gets them from, of all places, embroidery/knitting shops.
--------------------
David.
|
TheCircleOfConfusion
veteran
Reged: 01/03/2006
Posts: 1364
Loc: The People's Republic of Geord...
|
|
Good quality daylight balanced fluorescent tubes are a good option. They run cool and are inherently fairly diffuse. High frequency ones are more efficient and often easier on the eye.
At work we use opal Perspsex (030 or 040) to make light boxes.
--------------------
www.thecircleofconfusion.com
"They're just photos after all"
|
zx9
old hand
Reged: 22/06/2007
Posts: 829
Loc: London
|
|
I was lucky enough to buy a S/H MacBeth light box for not a lot, it is just a fibreglass box covered by a translucent perspex top. Inside are two daylight balanced fluorescent tubes.
It may be worth looking at used darkroom suppliers before spending too much time and money building your own.
--------------------
Regards
ZX9 (Keith)  
My Flickr Pictures
|
Malcolm_Stewart
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/07/2005
Posts: 2242
Loc: Milton Keynes, UK
|
|
Whatever you end up with, the most important thing I've found is good masking to keep stray light out of your eyes. Helps enormously with the denser slides.
My light box has the normal opal top and that's fine for viewing things like 5"x4", 6cm x6cm transparencies sitting on top of a suitable mask. For slides, there's an additional sheet of clear plastic with guides glued to the front surface. This sits on top of the illuminated opal sheet. On the underside I've glued strips of black tape so as to mask the gaps between slides.
--------------------
Malcolm Stewart
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
