Light bulb question

winger · Jul 16, 2013

I'm putting this in miscellaneous 'cause it's a darkroom related question, but a mod may move it if they think it fits better elsewhere.
I have a regular light in my darkroom that just blew the other day. It was a 100W one and I don't have any more and can't get one. Of the brighter replacements out there, which ones turn off the fastest and how long do they take? The boxes only mention if they turn on instantly. I don't really want to stand around for 10 minutes to wait for the light to be completely off. I tried using a 60W, but it isn't really bright enough 'cause it has to cover the whole room.

BrianShaw · Jul 16, 2013

winger said:
I'm putting this in miscellaneous 'cause it's a darkroom related question, but a mod may move it if they think it fits better elsewhere.
I have a regular light in my darkroom that just blew the other day. It was a 100W one and I don't have any more and can't get one. Of the brighter replacements out there, which ones turn off the fastest and how long do they take? The boxes only mention if they turn on instantly. I don't really want to stand around for 10 minutes to wait for the light to be completely off. I tried using a 60W, but it isn't really bright enough 'cause it has to cover the whole room.

You talking about compact fluorescent (CF) bulbs not regular tungsten bulbs, right?

Truzi · Jul 16, 2013

Use two 60-watt bulbs

You may be able to find some "special use" incandescents that are not prohibited under the new rules. Outdoor floods, "rough duty" lights for mechanics, etc.

Bill Burk · Jul 16, 2013

I had same problem. What was a 100-watt halogen before, I replaced with a 72-watt Halogen Reveal bulb.

winger · Jul 16, 2013

I would use two 60Ws, but there's only one socket.
Yes, I can't buy incandescents in 100W, so looking at the halogens, LEDs, and whatever else they have at Lowes/Home Despot. I just can't tell which ones will turn off quickly and not expose my film if I'm loading holders, etc...

MattKing · Jul 16, 2013

The halogens and LEDs will be fine - they don't illuminate after they are turned off.

Fluorescents are potentially the source of problems.

Tom1956 · Jul 17, 2013

eddie · Jul 17, 2013

Bethe- Would something like this work for you? You can use 2 60 watt bulbs.http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055TCY46

mr rusty · Jul 17, 2013

Check out 100W "rough service" bulbs on that well known auction site. Same old incandescents, repackaged.

winger · Jul 17, 2013

eddie said:
Bethe- Would something like this work for you? You can use 2 60 watt bulbs.http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055TCY46

If I can't find some "rough service" 100W ones, that might work. I may try some LEDs first.
Thanks!

Tom, are those non-smiley faces your opinion on the whole light bulb thing? Mine, too. But I think we're all preaching to the choir here on that one.

David Brown · Jul 17, 2013

Both Home Depot and Lowe's sell halogen bulbs that are 100W "equivelent", but are 72W.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-...6993/202514345?N=1z0ykpbZ1z0ykp1#.UeajI9KTiSo

Not to editorialize, but I use regular 150 tungsten bulbs as the "white" lights in my darkroom. You can't buy 100W, but 150W and 300W are readily available.

ChuckP · Jul 17, 2013

I also use 100w in the darkroom. You can still get 100w bulbs at some places. I just got some last week at a local hardware store. Some off brand but they had a bunch in stock. I looked on Amazon and they still had some in a 48 bulbs package. A lifetime supply. Checkout someplace besides Home Depot and Lowes.

Tom1956 · Jul 17, 2013

Winger, you're pretty sharp.

Terry Christian · Jul 17, 2013

LED 100W replacements will be quite rare, and very pricey. 60W replacements run about $20 currently. And no matter what type of bulb you buy, get into the habit of comparing lumens, not wattages. With watts no longer being useful for gauging bulb brightness, lumens are the answer.

Gerald C Koch · Jul 17, 2013

winger said:
I would use two 60Ws, but there's only one socket.
Yes, I can't buy incandescents in 100W, so looking at the halogens, LEDs, and whatever else they have at Lowes/Home Despot. I just can't tell which ones will turn off quickly and not expose my film if I'm loading holders, etc...

Don't know if they still make them but at one time they made a Y-shaped converter which had two sockets for bulbs going into a single base.

Terry Christian · Jul 17, 2013

I just checked here where I work: a 100W replacement in LED is 1675 lumens and would cost you about $45 to $50. Of course, it'll also last 25,000 hours.

John Koehrer · Jul 17, 2013

eddie said:
Bethe- Would something like this work for you? You can use 2 60 watt bulbs.http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055TCY46

Yeah, what he said!

AgX · Jul 17, 2013

If one uses fluorescent lamps and has issues with phosphorescence after switching off, one might consider a kind of flap that one can swing over the fixture to cover the switched off lamp.

brianmquinn · Jul 22, 2013

mr rusty said:
Check out 100W "rough service" bulbs on that well known auction site. Same old incandescents, repackaged.

I used these bulbs a lot when I was doing construction. They really have a more durable filament but put out less light and a more yellow light than the "Same old incandescents". Still should work for most needs.

Light bulb question

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency