Safelight wattage

[MolBasser]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

MolBasser

 

[Stan160]

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]

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]

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

 

[pentaxuser]

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]

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]

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

 

[MolBasser]

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