OTT-LITE question? Coin photography

holeinone1972

Are 2 13 watt OTT-LITES really enough light for photos?

I am currently using (3) 60 watt GE reveal lights.

I see that the OTT-LITES are on sale again and I am considering getting 2, or 3?

Rob

JZrarities

Two OTT lights, aligned exactly along the side of a slab, works fine for me.

Check my website for examples.

MikeInFL

OTT lights are overrated for coin photography, IMO. That said, I'd suggest getting two...Mike

commoncents05

That's what I use.

-Paul

drwstr123

I have two, depends on the coin whether I use one or both.

messydesk

Save your money and just get compact fluorescent daylight bulbs. That's what I use.

derryb

Rob,
How about a link to the sale?

LeeG

It's all a matter of personal preference. I like the OTT-LITE and use two:

holeinone1972

<< <i>Rob,
How about a link to the sale? >>



Here ya go.

holeinone1972

Lee, how did you get those OTT-LITES over the grand canyon?

LeeG

<< <i>Lee, how did you get those OTT-LITES over the grand canyon?

>>


That just shows how good they are.

commoncents05

Rob, Luckily I still had the link to my OTT lights that I bought.

Here you go.

They work great, and they are flexible, which is very, very handy for taking pics. Much cheaper than the ones linked also.

-Paul

holeinone1972

<< <i>Rob, Luckily I still had the link to my OTT lights that I bought.

Here you go.

They work great, and they are flexible, which is very, very handy for taking pics. Much cheaper than the ones linked also.

-Paul >>




WOW are those the same as the ones i posted? Really?

ArizonaJack

<< <i>It's all a matter of personal preference. I like the OTT-LITE and use two:







>>



Nuff said, I'm ordering a pair.

blu62vette

I used to like them and dont use them anymore. I consider them wasted money. Go for daylight CFL's, same temp, much more flexibility.

blu62vette

<< <i>Rob, Luckily I still had the link to my OTT lights that I bought.

Here you go.

They work great, and they are flexible, which is very, very handy for taking pics. Much cheaper than the ones linked also.

-Paul >>



Gooseneck 7 bucks, cfl 6-8 bucks.

MikeInFL

<< <i>

<< <i>It's all a matter of personal preference. I like the OTT-LITE and use two:



>>



Nuff said, I'm ordering a pair. >>



I think you might be making a hasty decision....

Lee got it right, IMO, when he said it's a matter of personal preference. Lee takes great pictures, and I'd be the first to say it, but it isn't the OTT light that makes his pictures great. If you asked the 10 best photographers what lights they use, I'd bet you'd get at least 5 different answers, and you know what -- they are all right!

That said, there's no good reason (in my mind) why anyone with a camera with the ability to do a custom white balance* should spend $50+ on OTT lights, when other fluroescents will do just as good of a job rendering color. Even a simple incandescent bulb with a $3 clip on reflector, with the right camera and a custom white balance can produce results like this:



* Note: If your camera doesn't have the ability to do a custom white balance, you may be better off with a light like the OTT which provides a more balanced color spectrum which will be handled better by the lack of sophisticated white balance engine in the camera, or twiddling with white balance in post processing.

Respectfully submitted....Mike

messydesk

<< <i>Gooseneck 7 bucks, cfl 6-8 bucks. >>

mgoodm3

If you do get compact fluorescents, only get daylight color balance ones. the warm ones ain't so good.

speety

Personally i have 3 ott lights but 2 would probably be plenty. I've had great results with reveal bulbs and CFLs as well. Just pick lights and get used to them, any light source listed in this thread will work fine if you put in time learning the correct white balance and how to position them correctly.

IrishMike

I have 3 of them, two of the fold up which I place at 3 and 9 o'clock and an Ott bulb placed in a gooseneck lamp at 12. Each coin requires some adjustment but this is how I start. With my camera I have to dial down the white balance two settings to more red as they leave a blue cast if I don't. Using the gooseneck allows you to adjust for the height you are shooting from and different type of metals you are shooting.