39 replies to this topic

[Pablo]

...and I'm ready to buy something decent that puts out REAL light, not this "green" junk that makes my photos underlit and appear yellowish.

Not just for photos, but for fine slot car work, y'all know what I do.  Prefer something that won't add heat to the room, as it's already plenty hot down here in south Mississippi   Been using one small fluorescent lamp and one cheapo small lamp for years and I'm tired of getting by with that, I need an upgrade.  Please show me what you guys have and where to get it.  Is there anything at Lowes that will work for me, or will it have to be an online order ?  I can do either one but would prefer to not pay shipping and get a Lowes unit, if a good one exists.

Thanks

 

Pablo

[Zippity]

OttLite - the only way to go

 

Read this.

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[Mike K]

I use a halogen fixture above my bench, plenty of white light, inexpensive at most hardware stores but there is the heat factor you were trying to avoid.

[The Number of]

Ott light is the way for pictures too,has the right color balance. Be wary of the Chiese lookalikes the pics will green shift with the cheapies.  Bill

[John Miller]

Ott light only.

[glueside]

No matter what you buy you need to make sure that get a 5000 kelvin (5K) light.  This is actually close to daylight.  If you to lower the light turns yellow and higher it turns blue.

[Dennis David]

OTT - Lite

[Bill from NH]

Pablo, I have a portable Ott light like that shown in Zippity's post. Ott makes both desktop & floor models. Check with any Jo-Ann Fabric Stores in your area. They often have sales on Ott lights.

 

If you get cold this winter, I'll send down my 500W halogen utility light. That ought to heat your whole place. It'll also thaw out any frozen pipes.

[Noose]

Pablo. Ott is the only way to go. I have two of them on my bench and I carry a small one for races.

[drrufo]

 Guys I tried the Ott lite and it didn't cut it for some reason. I am using two under counter light fixtures that have two 35w t4 bulbs and I get a lot of light. I woud like another light that would be overhead for fine work but the two t4 bulb setups work well.

[mjsh]

Print a 40 % off coupon and get an Ott lite at Hobby Lobby.

[Mike Patterson]

I use a 48" flourescent shop light hung 31" above my bench, with an articulated arm light mounted on each side with a 100w bulb in each one.

 

If you have any photo editing software, it should have a way to remove the color cast. Shoot your subject matter on a sheet of white paper, and color correct for that. With Adobe Photoshop Elements, it's one click, Makes life easier.

[Zippity]

Better still, photograph using RAW format

[Pablo]

OK I'm going to buy the 13W folding desk model

Thanks for the help, guys !!

[SlowBeas]

Anybody use one that includes a magnifier? The lens on my current desk lamp slightly distorts the view. I'm considering the 22W Clamp Magnifier lamp and am curious to know if the Ott lamp's lens is more accurate. Frankly, I don't know what "optical-grade magnifier" truly indicates.

[Ramcatlarry]

I have two benches with old drafting table flourescent lamps over them. Adjustable w/2 t-8 15W tubes each. Garage sale finds that only needed new tubes.

 

My OTT lamp is great in the race box for the raceway pit.

[Lumpy]

Search: Vision Max Full Spectrum Desk Lamp at Wallyworld. Very much like an Ottlite, and has yet to fail me.

[Pablo]

I'll check that out if the OTT doesn't do the trick for me. Thanks

[Zippity]

My Ottlite isn't the battery model - it runs off the mains - 240 volts out here in Kiwi land

[Champion 507]

In addition to Ott-Lites, I also use a head-lamp for working at the desk Lots of good LED light until the batteries run down. I use rechargeable batteries and keep a spare set charged. I have one like this:

 

 

 

[Ramcatlarry]

I did a distributor search for 'OTT' and found this:   www.hofcraft.com/ott-lite-clearance-and-overstock-sale.html 

Seems there lots of variations that we canuse...and maybe raceways should carry.

[Bill from NH]

My "Geezer Goggles" from Harbor Freight have built-in battery powered lamps, but they don't replace my Ott light. Doug's Energizer head-lamp looks to be more effective.

[Pablo]

I have two benches with old drafting table fluorescent lamps over them.

Larry, while driving home I thought about your post, and a (fluorescent) light bulb flashed in my head ....... 

"Hey, there are 3 overhead fluorescent lights with double bulbs in the blighted shed out back"  !!!

So I opened up "the door to hell", wrestled with piles of rotten lumber and wet drywall, and removed them.  Each has double 48" bulbs and hangs with hooks and chains.  Looks like I'll be cleaning and installing new lights in the hobby room this weekend.  Also, my new folding OTT for traveling is on it's way.  I think I'm all set now Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee !!!    

[Champion 507]

Another valuable tool is Dr. Mom's Otoscope, available online or at Walmart. I use mine every day.

 

You know how when you go to the doctor and he/she uses a flashlight to look in your ears, nose or other places? Well, Dr. Mom's has a home use version that works great.

 

You get a powerful LED light and 3 or 4 different size cone attachments. The magnification is about 10x.

 

We used them mostly for peeking inside Falcon 7s or Hawk 7s to check on brush seating or wear. But they're handy for c-cans and d-cans too.

 

 

 

[Zippity]

The number of home uses is endless, if you'll pardon the pun