Question regarding Ott lights

beartracks42

I was at my local Office Depot today, looking for some better lighting and found the section containing OTT lights. They had so many different configurations of lights that I decided to ask for some info from you folks who already use them before I purchased the wrong thing. Please tell me what configuration of Ott lights that you use and how many are necessary.

Thanks for any replys, in advance.

pharmer

I got the 13w desk lamps with the long arm. But I don't use them, still find reveal bulbs give truer white light. My impression from my images is that Ott lights still have a fluorescent light tint. Good for reading, but not as good as reveal for imaging. I'm doing mostly toned coins, though, not bu silver.

CarlWohlforth

I have a desk lamp and also a clip on one. They work well for untoned cameo proofs. I still like daylight best for color coins and copper.

MacCrimmon

I use two of the 13W portables with automatic white balance.

Light12

I'm going to try these this week and let you know what I get. Its kinda fun working for an AV company sometimes. They are warm enough they might melt a slab if its to close. I know it leave scars if you touch them.



2K Fresnel video shoot spot lights. A lot bigger than they look in the pic.

shylock

Every Lincoln and IH image on this site was taken using Ott Lites. Almost all the silver images were too.

I swear by Ott Lites when it comes to red copper. These are the only lights to image RD copper by.

oldcameoproofsguy

I like ott lights for shooting gold coins. It seems that ott lights will bring out the green toning on an original gold coin better than any other light.

I would rather use GE Reveal lights for copper, nickel and silver. GE Reveal bring out violets and reds better than ott lights, IMO.

Everyone has their own preferences. Experiment with different lighting and go with the results you like best.

shylock

A Lincoln under Ott Lites:

JRocco

I love to use OTT lights to examine my coins. I find them easier on the eyes and they bring out great detail on the coin, but for imaging color, I like to use Reveal bulbs for the reasons given above- better color representation. I also agree that OTT lights work best on copper by themselves.

CalGold

Go to a jewlery show and you will find that OTT lights are used exclusively. They believe that OTT best simulates natural light. Why then do coin shows still use incandescent bulbs?

CG

RedneckHB

Same as MacCrimmon

beartracks42

Guys/Gals,

Thanks for the input. I appreciate it very much.

CarlWohlforth

I own and like Ott lights. However they are blue rather than natural light as they claim. I also use and like reveal bulbs. They are pretty red. The key is white balance in your camera. My favorite light is sunlight. When I use indirect sunlight and the sky is blue the photos of coins can be too blue. Indirect sunlight is best when there is light cloud cover...

MacCrimmon

Both of these are shot with OTTs.....just add multiple positioning angles/attempts, and you'll get it.

Pure, virgin red, and very very true color. The primary light was elongated/pointed across the 'coin circle' at about 11K to 2K. The other from about 1K to 10K in the opposite direction, and adjusted until equal surface illumination was achieved...shot freehand for flexibility of positioning; macro mode and about 3" from coin.




Subtle peripheral rainbow with light cake frosting on the fraulein.