Ikea SYNAS as a cheap lightbox?

banandrew · Nov 20, 2015

I've been looking for a cheap lightbox for viewing negatives, and found that Ikea is selling these: http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/60241544/

It looks like it'll do the job if the walls are not inserted, and the price is right. There are similar ones on amazon for about $60 (as opposed to this ikea unit for $40) without the walls, that seem to be specifically for tracing.

Anyone have any experience with these? I've never had a lightbox for negatives, but I figure any thing cheap with a relatively even illumination would be usable.

MattKing · Nov 20, 2015

For colour transparencies I'd be worried about the colour temperature of a 4000K light source.

Ironically, it might be too bright (and the LEDs are not changeable).

IKEA's return policy is good though.

banandrew · Nov 20, 2015

MattKing said:
For colour transparencies I'd be worried about the colour temperature of a 4000K light source.

Ironically, it might be too bright (and the LEDs are not changeable).

IKEA's return policy is good though.

Good point about the return policy, I hadn't thought about that. And too bright, hmm, maybe I can add another layer of translucent material for better diffusion and to bring down the brightness... But then the cost would start to push up to those light boxes for tracing, and those seem to have some variable brightness settings...

I'll bring a loupe and try it out at the store if they have a display model. Worst case I'll bring one home and return it if it doesn't work out. Thanks Matt

[edit] I'll only be using this for black and white and C41 (for now)

MattKing · Nov 20, 2015

banandrew said:
Good point about the return policy, I hadn't thought about that. And too bright, hmm, maybe I can add another layer of translucent material for better diffusion and to bring down the brightness... But then the cost would start to push up to those light boxes for tracing, and those seem to have some variable brightness settings...

I'll bring a loupe and try it out at the store if they have a display model. Worst case I'll bring one home and return it if it doesn't work out. Thanks Matt

And don't forget that if you get there early enough in the day, their breakfasts are still only $1.00 .

banandrew · Nov 20, 2015

MattKing said:
And don't forget that if you get there early enough in the day, their breakfasts are still only $1.00 .

HAHAHA I'm more a fan of the horse-meat meatballs myself

banandrew · Nov 20, 2015

Actually looking closer at the specs, it's only a 9"x9" base. That's similar in size to an ipad, so I might just try to find an app that will show a white screen. The ones on amazon look quite nice actually, 17" and adjustable dimming. very thin too, so I wonder if it could be used as a backlight for a scanner, hmm.

MattKing · Nov 20, 2015

banandrew said:
Actually looking closer at the specs, it's only a 9"x9" base. That's similar in size to an ipad, so I might just try to find an app that will show a white screen. The ones on amazon look quite nice actually, 17" and adjustable dimming. very thin too, so I wonder if it could be used as a backlight for a scanner, hmm.

Try blank.org if you need a white screen for your ipad.

banandrew · Nov 20, 2015

MattKing said:
Try blank.org if you need a white screen for your ipad.

I used an app called "paper" with a blank page loaded. The problem that comes up is that in the shadow areas when you look under a loupe, the pixel lines are very obvious and distracting. I guess I'll try Ikea next (and get some meatballs)

mooseontheloose · Nov 21, 2015

I use my iPad as a lightbox - I use a free flashlight app that lights up the screen indefinitely. I don't have a problem with pixel lines, but if you touch the screen accidentally then it tends to shut off.

banandrew · Nov 21, 2015

mooseontheloose said:
I use my iPad as a lightbox - I use a free flashlight app that lights up the screen indefinitely. I don't have a problem with pixel lines, but if you touch the screen accidentally then it tends to shut off.

Interesting, good to know. You must have a newer one than me. I've got an iPad 2 which I think is VGA resolution (1024x768). It's pretty apparent under a 10x loupe.

mooseontheloose · Nov 21, 2015

Mine is an iPad2 as well.

Ikea SYNAS as a cheap lightbox?

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