Light table recommendation

[philipus]

I'm not sure if this is the right subforum for my question but feel free to move it if it isn't.

I'm looking to buy a light table/box but don't know what to look for. I'll use it to evaluate negs (colour and bw) and slides, usually around a roll at the time. I will begin with MF soon so I should consider that too.

What about light sources and build quality, are some brands better than others?

Anything else I should think about?

Thanks very much in advance
Philip

 

[L Gebhardt]

I have an older one from Light Impressions which works just fine. It's very similar looking to this: Logan Electric 8 x 10" Desk Top Light Box 750428 B&H Photo. You want to get one with big enough for your film and to fit on your table or desk.

I would recommend getting one with a color corrected lamp that's close to 5000K (which seems most common) for slide viewing. For black and white or color negative film it won't matter much. I have no idea on reliability of the different brands. Mine been going fine for probably 10 years, but it's not used every day.

If you can get your hands one them make sure there are no sharp edges to scratch the film. Also the longer ones will be more comfortable with roll film. I would love to have a 4 foot box to lay out a whole roll at once.

Many of them come with a foot to elevate the back of the box. But if there's not a lip to hold the film, well your film will soon be on the floor. I leave mine flat even with the lip.

 

[DennyS]

I have a Gagne Port-a-Trace, 16x18" that's really nice. Color corrected, adjustable brightness, stainless steel sides (nice for magnetic attachment of registration pins). Highly recommended, about $170 from amazon.

 

[Pioneer]

I have a small 10x12 Porta Trace that I love. It isn't very big, just a little larger than a Print File archival page, but it works perfect for everything from 8x10 negatives to a page of 35mm negs.

It is available from Amazon for around $50.

Gagne Light Box 1012-1 10x12 1 8watt Bulb - Amazon.com

 

[ann]

I have one that was up for sale over on APUG. I will have to go take a look to see which brand, size etc.
It was a great device, but since I have a huge light table at the lab it is just sitting in the closet.