Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs

[chorst01]

In the CTT November 2005 issue there is an interesting discussion about the use of compact flourescent bulbs for layout lighting to resolve ITAD problems. The article ( Tips, Tools & Techinques: Infrared-compatible bulbs, CTT November 2005, p. 41) is accompanied by a photo of a compact flourescent bulb. Unfortunately, no info is provided as to where such lightbulbs in this particular shape might be obtained. Any further info as to supppliers/distributors of such bulbs would be appreciated.

--chh

[Roger Bielen]

chh - I don't recall the specific bulb and don't have my copy of CTT handy but around here both Lowes and Home Depot carry a good variety of bulbs, including the compact flourescents. If that fails try a lighting store.

[Anonymous]

Generally flourescent buls will distort colors and are not recommended for Model Railraod use. Is this a special type of bulb? I know there is new technology out there. I think i'd stay with the incandescents.

[Anonymous]

I think what you mean, dtpowell is that the UV in the light from a florecent bulb will fade some colors over time.

You can see a similar thing happening in store windows. If you put a color box in a store window over time the box will fade until it has a blui***inge to it.

A solution is to place a UV resistant film over any cover that you put in front of the bulbs. This should cut back the UV fade effects. A combination of incandesent and floresent bulbs seem to be the ideal to match a daylight color balance.

Florescents are closer to the look of natural or "day" light because they have a bluish color. Incandesents have a yellowish or orangish appearance and look a bit odd as well. Floresents with blue incandesent bulbs look very good. Without those blue bulbs it seems a bit depressing like an overcast day. A big plus though is the floresents draw less power and will save you some in your electricity bill.

One other thing to think about is the effect florescents have on photos. If you are using a film camera you should use tungston film under florecnts or it will look "off".

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by emmaandy
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One other thing to think about is the effect florescents have on photos. If you are using a film camera you should use tungston film under florecnts or it will look "off".

I believe the only photo "cure" for florescents is a florescent filter. Tungston film is to help regular bulbs look less yellow. Even the "natural light" bulbs will appear a bit yellow on daylight film. A digital camera can be set to overcome many of these problems.

[ben10ben]

Personally, I don't care all that much for the color of fluorescent bulbs, but to each his own.

For taking pictures, you might want to try using a flash for photography under anything but natural light. The color temperature of an electronic flash is closer to daylight than about any other type of artificial light source.

If you want to use ambient light, though, you will need to either change film types(for a film camera) or use an apropriate combination of filters. To use daylight film under fluorescent, the type of filter you need, I believe, is called an FLD. It's a pinkish colored filter that can be had for a few bucks off of Ebay, or $10-20 for a higher quality Hoya, Tiffen, or B+W from a photo retailer. The classic tungsten-balanced film is Ektachrome 64T, although it is often cost-prohibitive(Around $12 for a 36-ex roll the last time I checked). Be sure to add an 85C warming filter if using tungsten film under daylight or flash. Finally, to use daylight film under tungsten lighting, you need an 80A cooling filter to achieve the proper color balance.

If you're using a digital camera, all you need to do is change your light setting. Most cameras have preprogramed options for daylight, tunsten, and fluorescent. Better cameras have custom settings, which are great in mixed light. All you have to do is take a picture of a photgraphic-grade white card, and use that as the basis for your white balance.