LED replacement for PH140

Melvin J Bramley · Feb 18, 2023

I have a LPL C670 that pops negatives to a frustrating degree.
Is there an alternative LED bulb to the standard PH140?

ags2mikon · Feb 18, 2023

I was just up on B&H's website looking at the Nanlite pavobulb 10c for a similar project.

Melvin J Bramley · Feb 18, 2023

If this physically fits it may do the job?

albada · Feb 18, 2023

If you look at the specifications of that bulb here, you'll see that it consumes 10 watts. That's equivalent to a 60-70 watt tungsten bulb, which is not bright compared to most enlargers. But if the PH140 is only 75 watts, which I read in one place, then maybe the Pavobulb will be okay. I suggest checking brightness first.

Melvin J Bramley · Feb 18, 2023

The physical dimensions may be an issue.
Perhaps there is an adaptor to use other bulbs?

MattKing · Feb 19, 2023

Spectrum is also potentially a problem, if you are using multigrade paper and filters.
LED sources often have discontinuous spectra, which can play poorly with paper that responds differently to different colours of light. A high CRI number doesn't solve the problem.
The glass carrier is, of course, one solution that does work.

Pieter12 · Feb 19, 2023

MattKing said:
Spectrum is also potentially a problem, if you are using multigrade paper and filters.
LED sources often have discontinuous spectra, which can play poorly with paper that responds differently to different colours of light. A high CRI number doesn't solve the problem.
The glass carrier is, of course, one solution that does work.

If the enlarger has a filter drawer, try a sheet of heat-absorbing glass in there.

IMetodiev · Feb 23, 2023

I'll second the glass in the filter drawer, it helped me

Melvin J Bramley · Mar 13, 2023

IMetodiev said:
I'll second the glass in the filter drawer, it helped me

What glass did you use?

ic-racer · Mar 14, 2023

Let it pop, focus, cap the lens with the lamp on, place the paper in the easel, then quickly turn off the lamp, remove the lenscap and start the timer. This is standard practice with any enlarger that does not have a glass carrier.

A potential problem with a lamp that produces less heat is that it won't pop right away, so you will think the focus is stable, but during the exposure it will pop.

LED replacement for PH140

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