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Ott Lite alternative-Full spectrum light bulbs
RedTiger
Posts: 5,608 ✭
There is wide praise for the full spectrum Ott lites, but even on sale, they are too much for me to spend just to take photos.
I saw these full spectrum Honeywell brand compact fluorescent bulbs on sale, $3 for two, and figured they were worth a shot. For those who live near a Big Lots store, that's where I found them.
The light is white and a bit harsh, and not so good for reading or general use. The lights are much better than regular bulbs, however, they do seem to highlight flaws. All of these pics are with two of the Honeywell bulbs in regular clip lamps ($7 to $9 at Target or Walmart). So if you don't have the coin for the Ott lites, and there is a Big Lots store near by, for $3 for two bulbs, it is a bargain.
Here are a few shots (new purchases from Feb Long Beach):
A toner, coin is well represented.
Circ silver, shows flaws much more than the naked eye can see. The scratches are barely noticeable, but in the photo it looks wose than in hand.
Circ copper, again the full spectrum light seems to highlights the verdigris more than eye normally sees.
I saw these full spectrum Honeywell brand compact fluorescent bulbs on sale, $3 for two, and figured they were worth a shot. For those who live near a Big Lots store, that's where I found them.
The light is white and a bit harsh, and not so good for reading or general use. The lights are much better than regular bulbs, however, they do seem to highlight flaws. All of these pics are with two of the Honeywell bulbs in regular clip lamps ($7 to $9 at Target or Walmart). So if you don't have the coin for the Ott lites, and there is a Big Lots store near by, for $3 for two bulbs, it is a bargain.
Here are a few shots (new purchases from Feb Long Beach):
A toner, coin is well represented.
Circ silver, shows flaws much more than the naked eye can see. The scratches are barely noticeable, but in the photo it looks wose than in hand.
Circ copper, again the full spectrum light seems to highlights the verdigris more than eye normally sees.
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I also saw some incandescent bulbs advertised as natural light or similar. I can't remember the exact name or brand right now, but I saw them at Target, about $6 for eight 60 watt bulbs. Again, for someone who wants to try something different, but not spend $70 on a pair of Ott Lites, these light bulbs do give a different result than halogens or regular bulbs.
Sunlight!
<< <i>Don't get enough of it. Need to take pics more than a couple hours a week. Ott seems the least worse right now. >>
7:39am ST
Sun 2/12/2006
Sunrise: 6:54am
Sunset: 5:25pm
11 hours and 31 minutes of sunlight today where I live!!
That's 80.61 hours per week.
<< <i>Do you work? -40, commute -10, food shop, clean, home repairs, ect. >>
Who don't??
The full spectrum bulbs that I bought are much better than other light bulbs that I have and better than sunlight available to me indoors.
I have wanted some Ott lights, but can not justify the cost. It is a lot of money to take some pictures for fun (I rarely sell coins). So for other collectors on a budget, keep an eye out. My photos have improved a great deal with the new lighting, so I thought I would share my Big Lots find (two full spectrum light bulbs for $3).
<< <i>I have tried natural sunlight, but I could not find a good spot without going outside. I am not going to take my coins outside to take pictures of them. >>
I don't go outside, but I do have windows in my house!!
Seriously, you want indirect natural light.
I also use all the other types of light in the house, but do know how to adjust my camera for each type. Anyone that thinks a few pictures taken with a certain recommended light is going to have great results is a fool. I took literally a few thousand pictures before even starting to get a feel for my camera. But, 20+++ years of 35mm experience also helped.
In other words, you need to practice, practice, practice!!!
A couple more practice shots, these two are of the same coin.
The purplish color is not present. The first photo accents the hit in the right field. The second photo is more accurate on the frost level and the hits in the field.