My home made light box

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I took a couple of weekends building it and the black light tubes it came with didn't work well but I got it working. It takes about 40 minutes for a cyanotype while the sun only takes 10 minutes. But here it is.

 

[bsdunek]

Nice. So, what kind of lamps did you find that work? I wouldn't mind longer exposures if the end result is good - Winter is so cloudy here one can't depend on anything outside.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

The tubes I replaced them with are these actinic tubes.

http://www.petmountain.com/show_product/11442-505559

The results are pretty good. With my other black light tubes, the cyanotype emulsion washed off whenI was clearing it in water.

 

[Herzeleid]

FYI, BL350 or BL368 bulbs would significantly reduce the required exposure times. I used these bulbs to build my exposure unit, their output peaks around 365nm.
http://www.lamps2udirect.com/pages/...V_Actinic_05_Ultraviolet_Fluorescent_Tube/550

The ones used for aquariums apparently provide peak output around 420nm. Check this thread (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

My exposures are around 7 to 9 minutes with cyanotypes, both traditional and the new formula.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Dang. Should have checked the link first. I blew $100 on the tubes and I'll live with them for a while. But for the next round, I'll get the 365 mn tubes.