Safelight questions

1kgcoffee · Jul 30, 2017

In the process of setting up a darkroom and wondering what to use for a safelight.

Requirements
1. minimal non-red pollution
2. Adequate light output
3. Not too expensive

I don't want to filter a regular incandescent. For those who use LED sources, where have you purchased them and what wavelength output should I search for?

-thanks in advance

MattKing · Jul 30, 2017

This LED rope light works great for me:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Meilo-16...onal-Shine-Decoration-ML12-MRL16-RD/203645834

tedr1 · Jul 31, 2017

You don't say what materials this is for, but presuming it is the common black and white papers then the usual thing is a small one-piece incandescent lamp with amber filter, sometimes known as OC type. often they can be found used on ebay for very little, search for darkroom safelight. I prefer amber to red, I find it easier on the eye. The lamp needs only a little power, 15W or so (incandescent rating).

dpurdy · Jul 31, 2017

https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...bulb-8-smd-led-globe-bulb/440/#/attributes/13

I buy mine here. I have both the Amber and the Red bulbs and I have tested them both and they don't fog. They are bright enough for me.

I use four of them to light my darkroom.

Fujicaman1957 · Jul 31, 2017

1kgcoffee said:
In the process of setting up a darkroom and wondering what to use for a safelight.

Requirements
1. minimal non-red pollution
2. Adequate light output
3. Not too expensive

I don't want to filter a regular incandescent. For those who use LED sources, where have you purchased them and what wavelength output should I search for?

-thanks in advance

There is a long running thread on this topic over on www.largeformatphotography.info. Go over and look-it's in "Darkroom Equipment" and the thread is "Kodak OC safelight filters"

darkroommike · Jul 31, 2017

Red light is very safe for all b&w papers but it hits in a part of the spectrum the human eye is not very sensitive to. The OC filter or the Thomas sodium vapor safelights are both safe and the light is much more visible to the human eye, so the room will appear brighter. It needs to be said that all safelights fade with time and should be tested. And all red LED's are not created equal and should also be tested before any serious work is done.

MattKing · Jul 31, 2017

darkroommike said:
all red LED's are not created equal and should also be tested before any serious work is done.

+1
My rope light passed a modified Kodak safelight test. Modified in that I tested slightly longer with pre-exposure than with post-exposure.

cliveh · Jul 31, 2017

Encapsulite Safelights

* Shadowless Illumination
* Brighter fog-free lighting
* Energy saving - low power consumption

Special polyester filters, coated both sides for safety, and controlling the light source to very precise limits, are enclosed within a tough, clear polycarbonate sleeve with clip-on end caps.

But paint the walls white to enhance visibility.

1kgcoffee · Aug 1, 2017

Thanks for the responses. Great ideas here. Never would have though of an LED rope!!!

nsurit · Aug 2, 2017

Totally off the wall or perhaps off the ceiling, but I would look for an inexpensive Thomas Safe Light. Can't imagine not having one.

seezee · Aug 2, 2017

dpurdy said:
https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...bulb-8-smd-led-globe-bulb/440/#/attributes/13

I buy mine here. I have both the Amber and the Red bulbs and I have tested them both and they don't fog. They are bright enough for me.

I use four of them to light my darkroom.

+1 on this. You can get this adapter to put 2 bulbs in a utility clamp fixture. I haven't tried the amber yet, but I plan to test them when I get my printing area set up.

darkroommike · Aug 3, 2017

nsurit said:
Totally off the wall or perhaps off the ceiling, but I would look for an inexpensive Thomas Safe Light. Can't imagine not having one.

I gave $45 for my Thomas 30 years ago and have finally had to put in my spare lamp, in another 30 years, if I am still on this earth, I'll be 93 and the safelight bulb will be someone else's problem.

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