Can red LEDs be used as darkroom safe lights?
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In the past when I have used a darkroom the safe lights have been a dim incandescent bulb, with an 'orangish' colored filter.
Given red light is less energetic than orange, and LEDs are reasonably monochromatic, can they (e.g., a bike rear clip on light) be used as (cheap) darkroom safe light?
black-and-white darkroom
asked Apr 20 at 8:02
DarcyThomasDarcyThomas
2399
|
show 1 more comment
In the past when I have used a darkroom the safe lights have been a dim incandescent bulb, with an 'orangish' colored filter.
Given red light is less energetic than orange, and LEDs are reasonably monochromatic, can they (e.g., a bike rear clip on light) be used as (cheap) darkroom safe light?
black-and-white darkroom
asked Apr 20 at 8:02
DarcyThomasDarcyThomas
2399
FYI
– John
Apr 20 at 8:31
Please specify if you'll only be working with monochrome (B&W) film, and if so, what specific types. Different monochrome films can be more or less sensitive at different wavelengths than other films. Ditto with the paper you plan to use. For color film/papers, the options are much more limited (pretty much zero for conventional color imaging).
– Michael C
Apr 21 at 5:42
@MichaelC There are few to no B/W film emulsions now which can be used with any kind of safe light. On the other hand there are few to no B/W papers which can't. (I think there are some non-panchromatic films, I doubt there are any panchromatic papers as they would be so horrible to work with.)
– tfb
Apr 21 at 9:16
@tfb The main point is that the question doesn't even make clear if the OP is concerned with monochrome/B&W or color. Certain assumptions need to be made clear.
– Michael C
Apr 21 at 10:37
2
@John Please don't leave mystery links without explanation.
– mattdm
Apr 21 at 13:02
|
show 1 more comment
In the past when I have used a darkroom the safe lights have been a dim incandescent bulb, with an 'orangish' colored filter.
Given red light is less energetic than orange, and LEDs are reasonably monochromatic, can they (e.g., a bike rear clip on light) be used as (cheap) darkroom safe light?
black-and-white darkroom
asked Apr 20 at 8:02
DarcyThomasDarcyThomas
2399
In the past when I have used a darkroom the safe lights have been a dim incandescent bulb, with an 'orangish' colored filter.
Given red light is less energetic than orange, and LEDs are reasonably monochromatic, can they (e.g., a bike rear clip on light) be used as (cheap) darkroom safe light?
black-and-white darkroom
black-and-white darkroom
asked Apr 20 at 8:02
DarcyThomasDarcyThomas
2399
asked Apr 20 at 8:02
DarcyThomasDarcyThomas
2399
edited Apr 21 at 6:30
DarcyThomas
asked Apr 20 at 8:02
DarcyThomasDarcyThomas
2399
asked Apr 20 at 8:02
DarcyThomasDarcyThomas
2399
asked Apr 20 at 8:02
DarcyThomasDarcyThomas
2399
2399
FYI
– John
Apr 20 at 8:31
Please specify if you'll only be working with monochrome (B&W) film, and if so, what specific types. Different monochrome films can be more or less sensitive at different wavelengths than other films. Ditto with the paper you plan to use. For color film/papers, the options are much more limited (pretty much zero for conventional color imaging).
– Michael C
Apr 21 at 5:42
@MichaelC There are few to no B/W film emulsions now which can be used with any kind of safe light. On the other hand there are few to no B/W papers which can't. (I think there are some non-panchromatic films, I doubt there are any panchromatic papers as they would be so horrible to work with.)
– tfb
Apr 21 at 9:16
@tfb The main point is that the question doesn't even make clear if the OP is concerned with monochrome/B&W or color. Certain assumptions need to be made clear.
– Michael C
Apr 21 at 10:37
2
@John Please don't leave mystery links without explanation.
– mattdm
Apr 21 at 13:02
|
show 1 more comment
FYI
– John
Apr 20 at 8:31
Please specify if you'll only be working with monochrome (B&W) film, and if so, what specific types. Different monochrome films can be more or less sensitive at different wavelengths than other films. Ditto with the paper you plan to use. For color film/papers, the options are much more limited (pretty much zero for conventional color imaging).
– Michael C
Apr 21 at 5:42
@MichaelC There are few to no B/W film emulsions now which can be used with any kind of safe light. On the other hand there are few to no B/W papers which can't. (I think there are some non-panchromatic films, I doubt there are any panchromatic papers as they would be so horrible to work with.)
– tfb
Apr 21 at 9:16
@tfb The main point is that the question doesn't even make clear if the OP is concerned with monochrome/B&W or color. Certain assumptions need to be made clear.
– Michael C
Apr 21 at 10:37
2
@John Please don't leave mystery links without explanation.
– mattdm
Apr 21 at 13:02
FYI
– John
Apr 20 at 8:31
FYI
– John
Apr 20 at 8:31
Please specify if you'll only be working with monochrome (B&W) film, and if so, what specific types. Different monochrome films can be more or less sensitive at different wavelengths than other films. Ditto with the paper you plan to use. For color film/papers, the options are much more limited (pretty much zero for conventional color imaging).
– Michael C
Apr 21 at 5:42
Please specify if you'll only be working with monochrome (B&W) film, and if so, what specific types. Different monochrome films can be more or less sensitive at different wavelengths than other films. Ditto with the paper you plan to use. For color film/papers, the options are much more limited (pretty much zero for conventional color imaging).
– Michael C
Apr 21 at 5:42
@MichaelC There are few to no B/W film emulsions now which can be used with any kind of safe light. On the other hand there are few to no B/W papers which can't. (I think there are some non-panchromatic films, I doubt there are any panchromatic papers as they would be so horrible to work with.)
– tfb
Apr 21 at 9:16
@MichaelC There are few to no B/W film emulsions now which can be used with any kind of safe light. On the other hand there are few to no B/W papers which can't. (I think there are some non-panchromatic films, I doubt there are any panchromatic papers as they would be so horrible to work with.)
– tfb
Apr 21 at 9:16
@tfb The main point is that the question doesn't even make clear if the OP is concerned with monochrome/B&W or color. Certain assumptions need to be made clear.
– Michael C
Apr 21 at 10:37
@tfb The main point is that the question doesn't even make clear if the OP is concerned with monochrome/B&W or color. Certain assumptions need to be made clear.
– Michael C
Apr 21 at 10:37
2
2
@John Please don't leave mystery links without explanation.
– mattdm
Apr 21 at 13:02
@John Please don't leave mystery links without explanation.
– mattdm
Apr 21 at 13:02
|
show 1 more comment
3 Answers
3
active
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Yes, they can. The darkroom I work in uses the strips of red LEDs you can get to put in car rear windows, all run from a 12 volt supply, as safelights and they work brilliantly. I believe that fairly extensive tests were done before I joined: leaving paper out for hours & then checking for fogging. I'd encourage anyone planning on doing this to do similar tests, but they work very well.
answered Apr 20 at 10:36
tfbtfb
56118
add a comment |
Before making assumptions on monochromaticity with LED lights that aren't built for this purpose, test and/or measure. LEDs are often overdriven, and/or allowed to get reasonably hot, and/or used in pulsed modes in these applications. All this can affect their spectral behaviour (compared to datasheet values) a lot.
answered Apr 20 at 8:33
rackandbonemanrackandboneman
3,218817
add a comment |
Beware of red LEDs that are based on blue LED chips + red phosphor, they may still emit a fair amount of blue light. I don't know how many there are out there, just saying.
Same for amber/yellow LEDs, they may be fantastic, or they may be useless.
https://www.google.com/search?q=led+darkroom+safelight = 42100 results.
answered Apr 21 at 5:17
Jeroen van DuynJeroen van Duyn
372
add a comment |
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3 Answers
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3 Answers
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Yes, they can. The darkroom I work in uses the strips of red LEDs you can get to put in car rear windows, all run from a 12 volt supply, as safelights and they work brilliantly. I believe that fairly extensive tests were done before I joined: leaving paper out for hours & then checking for fogging. I'd encourage anyone planning on doing this to do similar tests, but they work very well.
answered Apr 20 at 10:36
tfbtfb
56118
add a comment |
Yes, they can. The darkroom I work in uses the strips of red LEDs you can get to put in car rear windows, all run from a 12 volt supply, as safelights and they work brilliantly. I believe that fairly extensive tests were done before I joined: leaving paper out for hours & then checking for fogging. I'd encourage anyone planning on doing this to do similar tests, but they work very well.
answered Apr 20 at 10:36
tfbtfb
56118
add a comment |
Yes, they can. The darkroom I work in uses the strips of red LEDs you can get to put in car rear windows, all run from a 12 volt supply, as safelights and they work brilliantly. I believe that fairly extensive tests were done before I joined: leaving paper out for hours & then checking for fogging. I'd encourage anyone planning on doing this to do similar tests, but they work very well.
answered Apr 20 at 10:36
tfbtfb
56118
Yes, they can. The darkroom I work in uses the strips of red LEDs you can get to put in car rear windows, all run from a 12 volt supply, as safelights and they work brilliantly. I believe that fairly extensive tests were done before I joined: leaving paper out for hours & then checking for fogging. I'd encourage anyone planning on doing this to do similar tests, but they work very well.
answered Apr 20 at 10:36
tfbtfb
56118
answered Apr 20 at 10:36
tfbtfb
56118
answered Apr 20 at 10:36
tfbtfb
56118
answered Apr 20 at 10:36
tfbtfb
56118
56118
add a comment |
add a comment |
Before making assumptions on monochromaticity with LED lights that aren't built for this purpose, test and/or measure. LEDs are often overdriven, and/or allowed to get reasonably hot, and/or used in pulsed modes in these applications. All this can affect their spectral behaviour (compared to datasheet values) a lot.
answered Apr 20 at 8:33
rackandbonemanrackandboneman
3,218817
add a comment |
Before making assumptions on monochromaticity with LED lights that aren't built for this purpose, test and/or measure. LEDs are often overdriven, and/or allowed to get reasonably hot, and/or used in pulsed modes in these applications. All this can affect their spectral behaviour (compared to datasheet values) a lot.
answered Apr 20 at 8:33
rackandbonemanrackandboneman
3,218817
add a comment |
Before making assumptions on monochromaticity with LED lights that aren't built for this purpose, test and/or measure. LEDs are often overdriven, and/or allowed to get reasonably hot, and/or used in pulsed modes in these applications. All this can affect their spectral behaviour (compared to datasheet values) a lot.
answered Apr 20 at 8:33
rackandbonemanrackandboneman
3,218817
Before making assumptions on monochromaticity with LED lights that aren't built for this purpose, test and/or measure. LEDs are often overdriven, and/or allowed to get reasonably hot, and/or used in pulsed modes in these applications. All this can affect their spectral behaviour (compared to datasheet values) a lot.
answered Apr 20 at 8:33
rackandbonemanrackandboneman
3,218817
answered Apr 20 at 8:33
rackandbonemanrackandboneman
3,218817
answered Apr 20 at 8:33
rackandbonemanrackandboneman
3,218817
answered Apr 20 at 8:33
rackandbonemanrackandboneman
3,218817
3,218817
add a comment |
add a comment |
Beware of red LEDs that are based on blue LED chips + red phosphor, they may still emit a fair amount of blue light. I don't know how many there are out there, just saying.
Same for amber/yellow LEDs, they may be fantastic, or they may be useless.
https://www.google.com/search?q=led+darkroom+safelight = 42100 results.
answered Apr 21 at 5:17
Jeroen van DuynJeroen van Duyn
372
add a comment |
Beware of red LEDs that are based on blue LED chips + red phosphor, they may still emit a fair amount of blue light. I don't know how many there are out there, just saying.
Same for amber/yellow LEDs, they may be fantastic, or they may be useless.
https://www.google.com/search?q=led+darkroom+safelight = 42100 results.
answered Apr 21 at 5:17
Jeroen van DuynJeroen van Duyn
372
add a comment |
Beware of red LEDs that are based on blue LED chips + red phosphor, they may still emit a fair amount of blue light. I don't know how many there are out there, just saying.
Same for amber/yellow LEDs, they may be fantastic, or they may be useless.
https://www.google.com/search?q=led+darkroom+safelight = 42100 results.
answered Apr 21 at 5:17
Jeroen van DuynJeroen van Duyn
372
Beware of red LEDs that are based on blue LED chips + red phosphor, they may still emit a fair amount of blue light. I don't know how many there are out there, just saying.
Same for amber/yellow LEDs, they may be fantastic, or they may be useless.
https://www.google.com/search?q=led+darkroom+safelight = 42100 results.
answered Apr 21 at 5:17
Jeroen van DuynJeroen van Duyn
372
answered Apr 21 at 5:17
Jeroen van DuynJeroen van Duyn
372
answered Apr 21 at 5:17
Jeroen van DuynJeroen van Duyn
372
answered Apr 21 at 5:17
Jeroen van DuynJeroen van Duyn
372
372
add a comment |
add a comment |
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FYI
– John
Apr 20 at 8:31
Please specify if you'll only be working with monochrome (B&W) film, and if so, what specific types. Different monochrome films can be more or less sensitive at different wavelengths than other films. Ditto with the paper you plan to use. For color film/papers, the options are much more limited (pretty much zero for conventional color imaging).
– Michael C
Apr 21 at 5:42
@MichaelC There are few to no B/W film emulsions now which can be used with any kind of safe light. On the other hand there are few to no B/W papers which can't. (I think there are some non-panchromatic films, I doubt there are any panchromatic papers as they would be so horrible to work with.)
– tfb
Apr 21 at 9:16
@tfb The main point is that the question doesn't even make clear if the OP is concerned with monochrome/B&W or color. Certain assumptions need to be made clear.
– Michael C
Apr 21 at 10:37
2
@John Please don't leave mystery links without explanation.
– mattdm
Apr 21 at 13:02