Safelight wattage

MolBasser · Feb 18, 2010

So I have a small closet darkroom in the making. I have an old OC kodak safe light that I put a 25w bulb in.

The room is 5.5x7.5 feet in size.

The light seems pretty bright from my dark room memories.

What is the general consensus on wattage/ft^2 with the OC safe light?

The light is centralized on the ceiling.

MolBasser

richard ide · Feb 18, 2010

I would suggest either a 7W or a 15W. The lower the wattage the longer you can have paper out. Do a proper test with a piece of paper. Check search for threads.

MattKing · Feb 18, 2010

Don't know which safelight model you have, but the Kodak two way safelight I have specifies a maximum 15 watt bulb.

Did you check the safelight itself? They often are imprinted with the bulb recommendation.

Matt

MolBasser · Feb 18, 2010

I checked the website and said that 25w was ok for 4' from the paper surface, which is pretty much where I'm at with my enlarger table and the light.

I think I would be more comfortable with a 15w, but I haven't been able to find one yet. Prolly find one when I go to the Home Depot to get my lumber to make my table.

Doing a paper test sounds like a good idea. I will search for threads but have some ideas on how to do it in my head.......

I hope to post some pictures of my new darkroom this weekend, and better yet, some pictures FROM my new darkroom......

MolBasser

largeformat pat · Feb 18, 2010

I would suggest aiming the safelight at the ceiling. It will soften and create an even light for you. Also increases the distance
Pat

MolBasser · Feb 18, 2010

I could do that. I have an "aimable" fixture also. I just screwed the other light into the closet socket.....

MolBasser

Stan160 · Feb 19, 2010

If the old safelight contains an equally old filter, it's worth testing, no matter how low powered the lamp. The filters do deteriorate with use, and I expect at a faster rate if a higher power lamp is installed.

Ian

MolBasser · Feb 19, 2010

It certainly is a very old safe light and filter....

I'm going to do some tests tomorrow night, provided my developer and such arrives as planned tomorrow afternoon.

MolBasser

Denis R · Feb 19, 2010

in my OO safelight, there is a 4 watt nightlight bulb, 7 1/2 was too much

pentaxuser · Feb 19, 2010

15W isn't a magic number and it may be that 25W gives you all the time you need but certainly check. With safelights the more light the better is my philosophy provided it isn't fogging paper for the time I need to have paper out of its bag before exposure and dunking into dev.

With a stronger light, I'd switch it off when focusing neg and using an analyser for exposure - makes both things easier.

pentaxuser

David Brown · Feb 19, 2010

MolBasser said:
Doing a paper test sounds like a good idea. I will search for threads but have some ideas on how to do it in my head...

Don't re-invent the wheel

Just do this:

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/products/techInfo/k4/k4TestSafelite.shtml

fotch · Feb 19, 2010

I think the 25w is for the larger 8x10 or 10x12 units. The round bullet type is 15w.

MolBasser · Feb 19, 2010

fotch said:
I think the 25w is for the larger 8x10 or 10x12 units. The round bullet type is 15w.

This seems to be the consensus of many people that I have talked to and have messaged me.

Thanks for all the help folks!

MolBasser

Safelight wattage

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