Film Loading Lite?

Jon Shiu · Apr 27, 2022

Wondering how this might be used?

Donald Qualls · Apr 27, 2022

Dark green or dark amber filter? Very dim bulb?

Lights similar to that were used in the Kodak factory to get from machine to machine and to thread machines or deal with jams and misfeeds. Still enough light to do something with if you've been in the dark for a couple hours, but so dim it won't fog film noticeably at reasonable distance and with short exposure.

It might also have been made for ortho or blue-sensitive film in process shops or X-ray labs.

mshchem · Apr 27, 2022

Slow litho film for graphic arts. Should have a dark red filter for ortho films. Pretty useless for modern pan film. Makes a nice display item.

ic-racer · Apr 27, 2022

Originally for loading X-ray cassettes with film, now used with B&W paper. I made one and would be lost or fall on something without it. Pretty essential as I keep my darkroom pretty dim.

Donald Qualls · Apr 27, 2022

Also, with a red filter, similar lights are popular with amateur astronomers due to their reduced effect on dark adaptation.

Sirius Glass · Apr 27, 2022

It might be useful to find things in the darkroom as long as unexposed and undeveloped films or color paper are not out. There is an exception for orthographic film.

gone · Apr 27, 2022

It appears to have lived and worked in a darkroom from those stains, I've never seen one of these. Like Sirus said, it would be dandy for finding things in the darkroom w/o turning on all the lights. Assuming you could first find the flashlight in the low light/darkness :]

faberryman · Apr 27, 2022

Sirius Glass said:
It might be useful to find things in the darkroom as long as unexposed and undeveloped films or color paper are not out. There is an exception for orthographic film.

If film and paper are not out, just turn on the lights.

Sirius Glass · Apr 27, 2022

faberryman said:
If film and paper are not out, just turn on the lights.

Head slap! Why didn't we think of that?

ic-racer · Apr 27, 2022

Jim Jones · Apr 28, 2022

Turning on darkroom lights destroy night vision for a while. A flashlight with a dark red filter is much better.

grain elevator · Apr 28, 2022

Jim Jones said:
Turning on darkroom lights destroy night vision for a while. A flashlight with a dark red filter is much better.

You mean the night vision we need when the darkroom lights are on? really I don't understand, what other night vision would be needed?

Donald Qualls · Apr 28, 2022

Safelight is often dim enough that significant dark adaptation is required to see well. This light would add a little light in the search area without dazzling and without resetting the 15-20 minute time it takes to readapt.

Doremus Scudder · Apr 28, 2022

I keep an small amber LED thumb-light (e.g., Photon) in my darkroom apron pocket. Comes in handy for reading my (usually) copious and complicated notes for burning when I forget what I'm doing halfway through... I just switch off the enlarger light, get my LED light out, read my notes and then go back to work where I left off.

Doremus

Jon Shiu · Apr 28, 2022

Thanks all for info. The light comes with Red, Green and Amber filters. Unfortunately the switch is corroded and non-functional. If anyone wants this let me know.

Jon

Film Loading Lite?

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