Sale of Halogen Bulbs to be banned in Australia.... LED as an enlarger bulb alternative?

awty said:

The early 12 volt transformers to run 12 volt ceiling halogens could cause a fire in certain cases. Had to be positioned in a not so confined space. Lots of electrical appliances can cause fire, usually requires a bit of common sense and someone who knows what there doing.

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I believe the issue with halogen bulbs was that they were so hot. Many early "torchiere" style lamps used halogen bulbs and there were reports of drapes/curtains catching fire if they came in contact (as could happen if blown by wind through an open window). Later lamps of that style had guards in place to protect the hot bulb from flammable objects.

And, in many climates, for a good part of the year, the heat they generate has to be countered by air conditioning. So I say keep halogens in the place - the enlarger.

DREW WILEY said:

Halogen home lighting has burned down a lot of houses. Halogen instrument bulbs are unrelated. But thinking you can substitute LED's in a color enlarger is like hunting a water buffalo with a BB gun.

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I love the analogy and I hope anyone thinking about replacing the high powered, continuous spectrum halogen lamp in a colour enlarger with LEDS will remember it.

OzJohn said:

I love the analogy and I hope anyone thinking about replacing the high powered, continuous spectrum halogen lamp in a colour enlarger with LEDS will remember it.

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It can be done & done very well, but it's not so much a bulb replacement as a whole new light source - and potentially as colour accurate as using separation filters. Cheap it is not.