DIY negative viewer

Craig Swensson · Mar 15, 2010

greetings, anyone around who has made one of these?
I get the idea, a box with glass top and a light inside.
Some improvements on the above would be appreciated.
regards,
CW

Rick A · Mar 15, 2010

Sure-- just google "DIY light table" or "DIY light box" you'll get plenty of ideas and plans.

Rick

David Brown · Mar 15, 2010

Between my wife and I, we have three: One "store-bought" and two hand made. I made a small one and a larger was made by someone else, and I picked it up at a camera swap and "improved" it.

You understand the concept, and there ain't much more to it than that.

The "trick", if there is one, is to get the lighting even.
Suggest not using tungsten light sources, due to the heat.
Find some white plastic ("milk glass") for the top.

Mike Wilde · Mar 15, 2010

I have bought one recently, that lets me hang it on the wall, and has tube that give me 5000K.

Prior to that it was a 1' wide by 4' long x1' deep with a 3' long flourescent tube that I made back in high school. It had a white acrylic top; the inside of the box was painted white.
It was very useful when first made to sort though hundreds of slides for a year end multiple projector slide presentation, but was a pain to haul with me as I moved though life after finishing high school.

grahamp · Mar 15, 2010

The one I use most is a 5x4 battery model. Easy to pull out when I need it.

Mainecoonmaniac · Mar 15, 2010

Hey why don't you look at this web link.
http://www.instructables.com/id/light-box/

They have other ideas and designs too.

Best of luck!

Craig Swensson · Mar 15, 2010

Mainecoonmaniac said:
Hey why don't you look at this web link.
http://www.instructables.com/id/light-box/

They have other ideas and designs too.

Best of luck!

What a cool site, i might post my monopod made from an extendable mop handle there. cheers

David Brown
The "trick", if there is one, is to get the lighting even

thanx David, this is the `little extra' i was after.

thanx all and regards,
CW

matti · Mar 21, 2010

I am building a small light table in my new dark room and was concerned about flourecsent light leaking light even after it is turned off.
/matti

David Brown said:
[...]
The "trick", if there is one, is to get the lighting even.
Suggest not using tungsten light sources, due to the heat.
Find some white plastic ("milk glass") for the top.

pcyco · Mar 21, 2010

hallo

whats about led as lightsource??
good or not????

bobwysiwyg · Mar 21, 2010

pcyco said:
hallo

whats about led as lightsource??
good or not????

Why not keep a dark, or dense piece of cloth, or some other material handy to cover it when it is initially turned off?

youngrichard · Mar 22, 2010

Try an ebay search for "x-ray viewer". Since almost all medical and dental x-rays are now digital, millions of viewing boxes have been discarded - i know, I've got one. They almost always have 2 fluorescent tubes and reflectors to give even illumination to the corners so fine for B/W not so good for colour. There are at least 2 on UK eBay at the moment, probably cheaper than you can make your own.
Richard

Ronald Moravec · Mar 23, 2010

I proof on a scanner or use a loupe and small table lamp with a white paper under it. Nothing complicated.

Craig Swensson · Mar 23, 2010

made one thanx all, had all the bits required in the garage ,works a treat.
regards
CW

DIY negative viewer

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