lighting....

[Guest]

The years seem to be catching me up and my eyes are not what they were.

I more or less gave up modelling with frustration as my efforts were not very good.

It wasn't until recently I realised I needed glasses and things have improved slightly.

But with dark nights coming I need better lighting than my energy saving overhead bulbs.

Ive been looking at my local model shop EMODELS. And what they have to offer. But 75 quid for a lamp and magnifier?

What lighting is used by everyone else? Any recommendations?

[Guest]

A little strip light above the bench and some cabinet spotlights that I've fixed clips to so they can be positioned almost anywhere.

I had a pair of pescription glasses made with a 10/11 inch focal point ... Much closer focus than normal reading distance.

[John]

If your using fluorescent or led get daylight (colour 860) go to your local electrical wholesaler don't pay model shop prices, ask for trade prices most will give you the discount a 2ft tube should only cost a couple of quid, the fitting will cost a little more.

Just a note if you are buying a new fitting get HF which is high frequency you won't get that annoying flicker, the tubes last longer and cheaper to run.

[Guest]

Forgot to say that I use a reptile tube so that is virtually daylight in its spectrum.

[John]

Forgot to say that I use a reptile tube so that is virtually daylight in its spectrum.

Handy for vitamin d but not the same as daylight tubes, you will find they range between 5500-6500k and considerably dearer

[Guest]

I have an 11 watt fluorescent desk lamp with a double arm "Anglepoise" mechanism that a friend gave me years ago. I can put its lamp close to the work.

But the best buy I have made is the following headband magnifier. It leaves the hands free:

http://www.expotools.com/cgi-bin/sh000001.pl?WD=magnifier&PN=Headband%2dMagnifier%2 dwith%2d3%2dlenses%2d73840%2ehtml#SID=68

It is good quality and, using my reading glasses and one or both of the main lenses, allows items to be held in focus with both eyes at 9 or 6 inches distance, or down to 4 1/2 inches with the single glass stage in use. The main two lenses are plastic and also, I think, the single "glass", but that's no problem. I wish I had bought it years ago.

[ATTACH]70211.IPB[/ATTACH]


Price: £16.95 (Including VAT at 20%)

738-40 Headband Magnifier

with 3 lenses.

Features 3 seperate lenses, all

contained within the unit, which

enables the user to quickly switch

between four different

magnification strengths.

4 Different magnification strengths:

LENS A only: 1.8x

LENS A + B together: 2.3x

LENS A + C together: 3.7x

LENS A + B + C together: 4.8x.

Velcro adjustable

headstrap fits all

sizes.

Lens B is hinged &

sprung -and can be

clipped in position

behind Lens A when

required.

[Guest]

Handy for vitamin d but not the same as daylight tubes, you will find they range between 5500-6500k and considerably dearer

Not the vitamin d type, our animals are mainly nocturnal so dont need the extra lighting vitamins, we subsidise that with vitamin powder etc. The tube I use is TL84 which gives a daylight tone to display colours ... TL84 was a standard that M&S adopted to colour match their fabrics in a light box ... I happened to come across a few (ahem) when I worked at the dyehouse.

I found that the tubes that are sold for enhancing the colours of fish and reptiles (as you say... Hellish expensive) are the same type of tube.