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Home /  Support Center /  Knowledge Base /  Color matching

What is the difference between NorthLux™ 95 CRI LED Shop Light Fixture and the D50 5000K LED Shop Light Fixture for Color Matching?


What is the difference between NorthLux™ 95 CRI LED Shop Light Fixture and the D50 5000K LED Shop Light Fixture for Color Matching (ISO3664:2000)? I'll be doing mainly ceramics, with some printmaking in my studio. 

We can confirm that the NorthLux™ 95 CRI LED Shop Light Fixture and the D50 5000K LED Shop Light Fixture for Color Matching (ISO3664:2000) are identical products that are provided unique landing pages for marketing purposes.

As such, you can expect that the performance and color accuracy will be identical across both items. We would like to sincerely apologize for any confusion that this might have caused in your planning purposes.

Difference between NorthLux 5000K & D50 A19 Bulbs


I can see using the D50 color-matching bulbs near the computer to check digital images of my paintings. But what's the difference between these A19 bulbs and the Northlux A19 bulbs at 5000K?

We can confirm that the NorthLux™ 95 CRI E26 A19 LED Bulb for Art & Studio product and the D50 5000K A19 LED Bulb for Color Matching (ISO3664:2000) are identical products that are provided unique landing pages for marketing purposes. The key feature that these items share is the D50 calibration, which can be very beneficial for color-sensitive work such as print design. This can be noted by the shared part number of 4005.D50.

Similarly, the Ultra High 95 CRI 6500K E26 A19 LED Bulb for Jewelry & Display product is from the same family line and offers an identical CRI of 95+ as our other A19 products.

As such, you can expect that the performance will be identical across these items, though each is calibrated slightly differently. However, we would like to sincerely apologize for any confusion that this might have caused.

Daylight Bulb to View Prints for Color Accuracy


I am looking for a daylight bulb to screw into a regular tabletop lamp to view prints for color accuracy. I'd like to get the brightest bulb available to make sure IU has full lighting coverage. Which do you recommend?

Based on the details provided, we might recommend our D50 5000K A19 LED Bulb for Color Matching (ISO3664:2000) product. This item is designed to be calibrated to the D50 standard, which could be quite valuable for print viewing and color accuracy.

LED Lights that Simulates Sunlight and UV Output


I'm an avid salmon fisherman. I tie a lot of flies and painting lures for salmon. I'm looking for a light that best simulates sunlight but also has UV down to about 350nm. Do you have a light that would work? 

While we can confirm that many of our products (such as the ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Flexible Strip) offer light output which closely simulates direct sunlight, these products generally do not offer UV output as well. 

As such, we, unfortunately, might not have the ideal lighting product available at the moment.

I was looking for a simple bulb. I have a light box I built where I can put different colored filters to simulate different watercolors. However, currently, it just uses a standard bulb. About UV, is there a single 350-400 nm light you guys sell?

If your light box is designed to utilize an E26 base lightbulb, we unfortunately might not have the ideal ultraviolet product form factor available at the moment. However, depending on the dimensions and design of the lightbox, you might also be able to utilize our 365 nm realUV™ LED Strip Lights. This product is designed to output UV-A light which is centered within the referenced range.

Film Grade LED Panels for Photographic Printing


Film Grade LED Panels for Photographic Printing

I am a professional photographic printmaker and require High CRI High R9 value print view lighting to just prints. I print using 5000K print view lighting but many times also view the print with 3200K lighting which is closer to the gallery and museum lighting. It looks like your Film Grade 9.5" x 18.9" flexible LED dimmable panel would work well for my needs. My print viewing area is 36" high by 60" wide. I want to determine if I need 1 Film Grade Flexible panel or 2 Film Grade Flexible panels to cover my print viewing area with even illumination. I will also want to be able to select 5000K precisely using the dimmer device. 

Our FilmGrade LED panels would certainly meet your color point needs, but unfortunately, we currently do not have any dimming solutions that would meet your requirements. (We currently support DMX only, for use in TV studio / theatrical installations).

​We do apologize for the inconvenience!

​As an alternative, we would perhaps build a panel using our single-color LED strip lights which can be used with our in-line dimmer. For example, please see below for an example layout:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_3E

Color Critical Lighting for Cultural Heritage Field


I would like to know if you have a product using the Toshiba TRI-R LEDs. We are involved in the Cultural Heritage field and need a better solution for lighting than currently available products. I am looking for a lighting solution similar to your flexible panels with the lighting spectral quality of the TRI-R-led specifications for proof of product assembly. 

We are not affiliated with Toshiba but we do have a line of 99 CRI products that may closely approximate the color rendition performance you are looking for.

​Below is our product page showcasing our ABSOLUTE SERIES 99 CRI products - please let us know if this is something that may work for your needs, and we would be more than happy to assist with any additional questions or concerns!

https://www.waveformlighting.com/absolute-series

From your link, I think we would need the equivalent of 52 strips to make 2 panels approximately 22”x 11” with full coverage over the area. Is there a connector solution that would work for that? Or do you have an option for the absolute series in an already-made panel about that size?

I would also need a power supply/driver to power 2 panels about that size. As well as a dimming module to work with to set output.

​Unfortunately, we do not have any panel-type products, although I completely agree that this would be an ideal use case for such a product.

​As such, the best alternative would be to use an array of LED strip lights as you suggest. In back-calculating from the suggested quantity, it appears that you would be looking at 26 rows of 22-inch length LED strip sections per panel.

This works out to approximately 48 feet or three reels of 16.4 feet each.

The general limitation for LED strip wiring is 16.4 feet (one reel) per power supply and dimmer connection. This is due to the current carrying capacity limitations in the LED strip as well as those of the power supply.

​As such, your single panel will require three separate sets of power supplies and dimmers, which may or may not be an issue for you from a feasibility perspective.

Each LED strip reel can be cut into as many shorter sections as needed; so each 16.4 ft reel, for example, can be cut into 9 separate sections of 22 inches each, and then re-joined using our solderless connector accessory PN 3071.

(For a visual overview of the components, here is an example layout for a similar configuration using our 24 volt / 95 CRI product which operates nearly identically from an electrical perspective: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_3E)

T8 LED Tubes Lighting for Dental Office Operatories


I am interested in new lighting for my dental office operatories. My lighting needs have a very high level of color matching. Existing fixtures are approximately 20+-year-old fluorescent recessed troffers. I use T12 CRI 90 5000k bulb. Each fixture uses four 48" bulbs. I would like to improve my color-match lighting. What do you recommend? Do you have LED bulbs that will work in my existing fixtures? Do you recommend LED over fluorescent bulbs? 

Based on the details provided, we might recommend our D50 5000K T8 LED Tube Lights for Color Matching (ISO3664:2000) product, as it is designed to be compatible with the D50 global standard for color-critical applications.

Regarding fixtures, we can confirm that these items are not compatible with all ballasts which are pre-installed within fluorescent T8 fixtures. However, we have compiled a list of tested ballasts, and include instructions on how to install these tube lights via ballast bypass methods on the product sheet.

As most fluorescent tube lights have a CRI of 80, the light output will likely wash out some colors. However, as our LED tube lights have a CRI of 95+, your office will benefit from much improved light output.

Full Spectrum LED Lights for Imaging Applications


I am currently looking into purchasing a full-spectrum light source to use in imaging and was wondering if you had any recommendations. Also, would it be possible to adjust the intensity? 

One of the most popular product options we've seen has been our T5 linear lamps, which can be installed quite easily in a variety of locations. These lamps feature 95 CRI which provides full spectrum and excellent color accuracy, features which are essential for accurate imaging applications.

Our D50 product in particular meets the ISO 3664 standards for color accuracy and should be a great option for your needs. Please see below for the product link:

https://store.waveformlighting.com/products/d50-5000k-t5-led-linear-light-fixture-for-color-matching-iso3664-2000

The only downside is that these T5 lamps cannot be dimmed, so you will need to be able to work with a fixed brightness level.

Proper LED Products for Art Studio Lighting


I am an artist and have been on a long quest for proper lighting for my easel that will not distort colors. I have an east-facing window. I have read through much of your fantastic website, which is well done and very informative. I have a few questions:

Noting that I have an east-facing (not north) light source and think I would like the dimmable NorthLux™ 95 CRI BR30 LED Bulb for Artwork & Studio Edison bulbs would you recommend the 5000k or the 6500K?

​Both color temperatures should work well for your needs; however, 6500K is generally a better fit for north-facing windows. As such, you may prefer the 5000K for your east-facing window setup. 

​Please see below for additional insights from our blog:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/art-painting/difference-between-5000k-and-6500k-bulbs

​What would 800 lumens equate to in incandescent wats? I couldn’t find a scale to show me how lumen output compares to incandescent wats, which is what I am used to when comparing light brightness. If I get two of these which are 800 lumen or 60W halogen will these give me essentially 1600 lumens on my painting surface (depending on the distance of course)?

​800 lumens is approximately equal to a 60-watt incandescent bulb. You are exactly right that two bulbs would add up directly to 1600 lumens and provide twice the brightness.

​Do keep in mind, though, that incandescent lamps emit a much warmer 2700K color tone, so it can be a bit difficult to compare brightness when discussing daylight-calibrated bulbs. Nonetheless, it is certainly a good ballpark estimate when it comes to relative brightness levels!

​There are so many different light sources to consider when creating a painting: reference source (photo, print, iPad, computer, life), natural outside light (weather dependent), studio light (intensity, color, placement including projection on both paintings and palette), photographing final work for publication and giclee printing, and gallery or home viewing of the finished painting. I read on your site that a device’s screen can emit blue light. So, is it probable that this is the first point where color can become distorted?

​That is exactly right - most digital displays will be calibrated to D65 (6500K) but of course, depending on the level of sophistication and quality, the calibration may or may not be accurate. Even natural daylight, as you mention, can change depending on the weather and season, so that can be difficult to navigate as well.

​That is where high-quality studio lighting comes in and can provide some consistency and accuracy. I have seen some customers even block out their windows and replace them with our lamps because the natural lighting was too inconsistent due to changing weather and time of day. Ironically, the only way to ensure consistent lighting would be to only use a high-quality, full-spectrum artificial light source, day and night.​

​If an artist is working primarily from an iPad should they choose the 6500K light because it matches the blue light from the iPad or goes with the 5000K because it will color compensate?

​Unfortunately, it does not seem that Apple likes to publish technical data about their iPad product and I was unable to confirm if their screens are calibrated to D65 (6500K). That being said, I believe almost all digital displays are calibrated to D65, so there is a strong likelihood that the iPad product line is also D65 calibrated.

​If so, the 6500K light source will be a better match to the iPad, since as you mentioned correctly, the 5000K will be a bit "warmer."

​(Here is some additional information on D65: https://www.waveformlighting.com/color-matching/what-is-d65-and-what-is-it-used-for)

​So many questions, but your team seems to have the technical expertise to answer them and for the various combinations of light. If these bulbs and your recommendations turn out to be the Holy Grail of Art Studio lighting, I would like to share it or see it as a feature article or workshop with my local, national, and international art society membership because many artists seem to struggle with this lighting issue because it is such a science complicated by the ever-changing variety of bulbs and diverse lighting comparison scales. Also, would you have any discounts available for our membership? 

We would be honored to have you share your experience working with our products! As a general policy, we do not offer any group or membership discounts, but I would be more than happy to share the opportunity with our team at that time.

Shop Lighting for Auto Detailing


Would like to talk with someone regarding lighting for a shop for paint correction and also for home lighting fixtures we have.

Our 95 CRI LED products sound like a great fit for auto detailing.

​Our most popular product for such locations is our NorthLux shop light product, which I have linked to below:

https://store.waveformlighting.com/products/northlux-95-cri-led-shop-light-fixture

Depending on whether or not you have existing T8 fixtures, our NorthLux T8 lamps may also be a good fit:

https://store.waveformlighting.com/products/northlux-95-cri-t8-led-tube-for-art-studio

LED Bulbs Products for Color Control in Photography


I photograph (multi-shot/PS stitched) original art and maps for large-format reproduction. Have you gotten any feedback on the best product, bulb, or strip for better color control? I have fabricated light fixtures in the past and would appreciate advice on recommended reflector specs.

Based on the details provided, there are a few products that we might recommend.

For example, in the event that you were to utilize traditional E26 lamp fixtures, we might recommend the D50 5000K A19 LED Bulb for Color Matching (ISO3664:2000) product.

However, if you were hoping to utilize traditional tube light fixtures, we might recommend the D50 5000K T8 LED Tube Lights for Color Matching (ISO3664:2000) product.

For more information regarding the D50 standard, this article from our website might prove to be useful: 

https://www.waveformlighting.com/color-matching/what-is-d50-for-graphic-arts-printing

A19 LED Bulbs for Photographing Paintings


I'm looking for the best A19 bulb for photographing paintings. Kelvin, wattage recommendations? 

Based on the details provided, we might recommend the D50 5000K A19 LED Bulb for Color Matching (ISO3664:2000) product. This product is designed to be compliant with the D50 standard, and could be a great option for your space.

Oil Painting Studio Lighting Recommendations


I am a professional Oil Painter, and I am looking for your recommendations on bulbs for my 4 softbox lighting kits (16-20 bulbs total). I have to paint at night while my kids are sleeping so it is essential that I have as close to perfect daylight as humanly possible, so if you would kindly suggest your best options I will order all of them.

​Our NorthLux A19 is one of the most popular products among our artists and studio customers who are after the best color rendition for daylight-calibrated color temperatures. I've included the link below:

https://store.waveformlighting.com/collections/a19-bulbs/products/northlux-95-cri-e26-a19-led-bulb-for-artwork-painting

You mention that you're after a lamp that is as "close to perfect daylight as humanly possible," and we're very confident that the 5000K and/or 6500K color options will meet your needs here. The one tricky thing, as I'm sure you are aware, is that "perfect daylight" can be challenging to define, as natural daylight conditions can change depending on the time of day, season, geography, and weather - not to mention the orientation of the windows and other natural lighting features in a studio space.

As such, we offer both 5000K and 6500K color options to allow our customers to decide. The 5000K color option more closely resembles a neutral, noon daytime light color, whereas the 6500K color matches the natural light that you would see from a north-facing window on a clear day. Both feature 95 CRI, which indicates that they will be a near-perfect match to natural daylight, but as I've described above, the definition of "natural daylight" is a bit different when choosing 5000K vs 6500K.

We do have a blog article going over the differences below, which might be helpful:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/art-painting/difference-between-5000k-and-6500k-bulbs

Our A19 lamps include a standard medium screw base and should be a quick and easy installation in your existing soft light boxes. Each lamp is approximately equal in brightness to a 60-watt incandescent bulb (but, of course, with daylight color calibration!)

Flicker-free Bulb for Color Rendition and Artwork


I'm looking for a flicker-free bulb that has good color rendition, for alertness and artwork. What do you recommend?

Though we, unfortunately, do not have 100W bulb products available at this time, we're happy to confirm that we sell many products that offer a high CRI which could be beneficial for artwork creation.

For example, our D50 5000K A19 LED Bulb for Color Matching (ISO3664:2000) product is flicker-free and offers a high CRI of 95+, as well as an R9 value of 80+.

This product is also designed to be compliant with the D50 CIE Standard, which may prove to be useful. For more information on D50, we have a terrific blog post on our website, which I have linked below.

What is D50 for graphic arts & printing?: https://www.waveformlighting.com/color-matching/what-is-d50-for-graphic-arts-printing

Are there any flicker-free floodlights?

Unfortunately, we do not currently sell any flicker-free floodlights aside from our realUV™ LED Flood Light product at this time.

However, based on the details provided, our NorthLux™ 95 CRI T5 LED Linear Light Fixtures might be of interest as an alternative. These integrated lighting fixtures can be easily mounted onto many surfaces, contains all electrical components within the housing, and are available in both the 5000K and 6500K color temperatures.

Difference between NorthLux and D50 A19 Bulbs


I ordered the NorthLux™ 95 CRI E26 A19 LED Bulb for Art & Studio - 1-Pack / 5000K and D50 5000K A19 LED Bulb for Color Matching (ISO3664:2000) - 1-Pack / E26 (North America). Are they the same product? 

Regarding the products mentioned, we can confirm that the NorthLux™ 95 CRI E26 A19 LED Bulb for Art & Studio and the D50 5000K A19 LED Bulb for Color Matching (ISO3664:2000) are the same product.

We do apologize for any confusion caused as the product is shown on multiple pages for marketing purposes. This can be noted by the shared part number (4005.D50) listed in the item description for both products.

I have a new question about the aluminum channel for LED Flex Strip. How are the corner channels mounted? I only see the mountings pictured for the flat channel.

We're happy to confirm that the Aluminum Channel for the LED Flex Strip product arrives with installation accessories, including ten mounting brackets and screws that can be used for affixing the channels upon a surface.

High CRI bulbs for Coffee Roasting and Production


I recently purchased a case of bulbs from you and I am curious about how to adapt the lighting in a roasting space. Color is very important for coffee roasting so I am looking for a high CRI value bulb, but the ones I tend to get are not very "bright" or it seems dim in the space. Does the "K" value affect this? 

We're happy to confirm that the color temperature value is not tied to the CRI value or brightness. The brightness of the light emitted by a bulb is measured by the lumen output, whereas the color temperature measures how 'warm' or 'cool' the light appears to be. On the other hand, CRI measures how similar the light output is to that of natural sunlight.

While you may find that higher CRI products have a lower lumen output than traditional incandescent bulbs, the higher CRI bulbs have the benefit of offering light that has a similar spectral output to natural daylight.

If it proves to be useful, here is an article from our website which describes CRI in detail: https://www.waveformlighting.com/high-cri-led

High CRI and R9 Lighting for Textiles and Leather


I make handbags that incorporate textiles and leather. I need to get accurate color when photographing my pictures. I am taking pictures myself and am not a professional photographer. Is there any LED lighting that you can recommend? I’m taking pictures indoor. I also have an adapter that can fit LEDs into a soft box. I’ve tried natural light but I’m trying to get consistent pictures for my online website. 

Based on the details provided, there are a few products that we might recommend depending on your ideal installation method.

The primary product that we might recommend is the 99 CRI ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Flexible Strip product. This product feature light which is virtually indistinguishable from natural daylight, which could prove to be useful with your photography.

Alternatively, in the event that you would prefer to use traditional light fixtures, we might recommend our NorthLux™ 95 CRI BR30 LED Bulb for Artwork & Studio products. However, please note that this product is currently backordered.

As a final recommendation, our NorthLux™ 95 CRI T5 LED Linear Light Fixtures can be easily mounted in multiple configurations, and contain integrated lighting within the product housing, which reduces the amount of required accessories.​

D50 or Northlux: T5 LED Linear Light Fixture for PC Monitor Lighting


I would like to purchase a 4ft T5 LED Linear Light Fixture to light a pc monitor. Do you recommend the D50 or the Northlux? How long is the power cord? 

We can confirm that 5000K NorthLux™ 95 CRI T5 LED Linear Light Fixture item is the same product as the D50 5000K T5 LED Linear Light Fixture for Color Matching (ISO3664:2000) item. This can be noted by the shared part number of both products, PN 4026.2F. 

We do apologize for any confusion this may have caused, as these products are listed on multiple pages for marketing purposes.

As such, you can expect identical high performance from both items in your installation, including D50 compliance. Both of these products also contain a power cord which is 12 inches in length (30 cm).

LED Linear Module for Color Rendering Installation


I'm looking for a high CRI (Re) color rendering light (I make copies of paintings). I need to put a certain amount of light above me with a tilted head on a light stand-by. Do you have some suggestions? (product code 7001.50.5P) 

Based on the details provided, it does seem that the LED Linear Module product could be a great solution for your color rendering installation.

We're happy to confirm that the module is designed to be compatible with mounted installations using M3 screws, and can further confirm that we have heard of customers in the past who have installed these products into lighting fixtures.

Choosing LED Northlux vs Centric Daylight for Painting Studio


I have a question about choosing Northlux 95 CRI bulbs vs the Centric daylight full spectrum bulbs either in 5000K. 

I am using these lights in a painting studio so I'm looking for high as possible color quality as can be. I also read your site said if I care more about a CRI I should use a fluorescent fixture choosing one of those bulbs above which fixture below would suggest for my situation and how many fixtures of each would you suggest to obtain the ideal illuminated result in the painting studio? Further information to give more background in my situation. I have a 12" x 16" space with 15-foot ceilings and I will be making work on both 12-foot walls as well as one 16-foot wall. 

The primary difference between the 5000K A19 bulbs can be found in the CIE D50 standard which the NorthLux product was designed to be compliant with. This is an international color standard which many find value in, due to the low amount of variability in light spectrum output across compliant products.

Here is a great blog post from our website which explains this standard further, which might be helpful: https://www.waveformlighting.com/color-matching/what-is-d50-for-graphic-arts-printing

However, in the event that you would prefer to utilize a T8 LED tube light fixture, I am happy to confirm that both fixtures provided appear to be compatible with our products.

The two LED tube light products that I recommend for your studio are the D50 5000K T8 LED Tube Lights for Color Matching (ISO3664:2000), and the NorthLux™ 95 CRI T8 LED Tube for Art & Studio. The D50 5000K option has a higher R9 rating than the NorthLux (95 vs 91), which could be beneficial for working with color.

Based on my calculations using our lumen estimation calculator, it appears that your space would benefit from 15,981 total lumens. As each of the T8 LED tube lights emits 1800 lumens, we recommend 9 lamps in order to sufficiently illuminate the space.

LED Lights Recommendations for Digital Photo Studio


I'm converting a utility room in our garage to be a dedicated digital photo studio. As such, I know I need much more controlled/accurate lighting. Note, that I do not plan to shoot photos/video in the room, just edit, evaluate, and display.The skylights have remote-controlled blackout shades. My initial thoughts about your products are as follows:

I was thinking of using your 16' LED strip mounted in an aluminum channel on the ceiling ridge, e.g. Centric Daylight strip 5000K. For the LED strips, do your aluminum channels have a system to interlock end-to-end or would you recommend other types of aluminum channels for reasonably diffuse light?

While the linear light fixtures could allow for an easier installation than the LED strip lights, the linear light fixtures are not dimmable. As such, your space might benefit from the LED strip light products, which allow for dimming functionality.

Further, the aluminum channel products unfortunately do not feature the ability to interlock. However, there may be third-party products available elsewhere which would allow for a continuous length of mounted LED light strips for installation along the trusses of the room.

I was thinking of using your FilmGrade Hybrid LED strip mounted in your corner aluminum channels mounted under the bottoms of the trusses in the photo to illuminate the right side wall where I would hang/display prints. How accurate are the hybrid strips in simulating various color temps, etc.? Equally important, what's a simple solution for a controller that would allow me to specify the desired color temperature and it would set the appropriate LED values? Is this doable, what would you recommend?

The FilmGrade™ HYBRID LED Strip Lights could be a great option for your space, and I am happy to confirm that this product can be used to simulate any color temperature between 3200K and 6500K by adjusting the intensity of each color temperature.

However, it might be valuable to know that a LED strip light product featuring a single dedicated color temperature is able to emit more light per foot than the individual colors of the HYBRID LED Strip Lights are able to. For example, the HYBRID LED strip lights emit 225 lumens per foot, per color, whereas the single-color FilmGrade™ WHITE LED Strip Lights emits 450 lumens per foot.

This product can be controlled using several different methods. Though the easiest implementation would likely be to utilize a color tunable LED controller, which would allow for you to easily adjust each color point. The below article contains detailed descriptions for each configuration method available for the product.

How to Connect Hybrid CCT Tunable LED Products: https://www.waveformlighting.com/film-photography/how-to-connect-hybrid-cct-tunable-led-products

You sell your T5 Linear light fixtures (D50) in 4 ft. I was thinking of using a couple of those to set up a dedicated print viewing station. Your website says they are out of stock but will ship on 12/14. Is availability still accurate as I would like to go ahead and order them to start experimenting?

We can confirm that the 5000K 4-ft NorthLux™ 95 CRI T5 LED Linear Light Fixture product is currently expected to be available by December 14th. In the event that you would like to place your order prior to that availability date, we would process the shipment as soon as the items become available.

Do all of your 5000K lights actually meet D50 spec or only where specifically indicated?

Not all of our 5000K color temperature products are designed to be compliant with the D50 standard. However, if you had a specific product in mind, I would be happy to review the item to check for D50 compliance.

Anything else you would advise or suggest that I consider?

Regarding installation suggestions, the primary consideration which comes to mind would be to test the LED strip light products within the space prior to cutting the product into segments or installing them completely, as we are unable to accept returns for these products as soon as they have been cut or altered.

Our second suggestion is to keep in mind that the FilmGrade™ HYBRID LED Strip Lights requires a 24V power supply.

Third, the HYBRID LED Strip Lights product has a maximum run of 32.8 ft, and draws a variable amount of power per foot depending on the color point adjustment. Details regarding this can be found on the product specification sheet. As such, you may want to consider a power supply which is capable of outputting enough power to accommodate the power draw needs of the lengths of your installation.

On the FilmHybrid LEDs, I saw the referenced setup with the two dimmers. But to use that, I need to figure out the dimmer settings that correspond to different Kelvin temperatures. I'm assuming to do that I would need to have a spectrophotometer that can measure incident light which I don't have. Is there another 3rd party solution that you could recommend that wouldn't be too complicated or expensive that would allow me specify the color temp and then set the appropriate values on the two LED channels of the hybrid film strip?

Any 3rd party aluminum channel manufacturers you recommend that might have interlocking sections? I'm still going to take a look at yours as well.

Unfortunately, the dimmer uses an analog dial to control the relative brightness levels of the two channels, so there is no way to digitally map the two output levels to a specific color temperature level. You may want to think of this as being similar to a traditional shower faucet, with one for hot and one for cold, without the ability to set a specific water temperature.

We are not aware of any third-party products or solutions that could incorporate our LED strip light to achieve the lighting controls you are looking for, but do hope to be able to offer such solutions in the near future. For the time being, we may recommend searching for cinematography and photography lighting products such as those manufactured by ARRI or Kino Flo, although these will likely be a much higher price point.

I've got a few questions on your 24V dimmable transformer that I purchased:

Is this designed to be driven at 100% rated load (96W) for a prolonged period of time? Is there any issue with splicing a pigtail and plugging it into an outlet (that has an AC dimmer upstream)? Is there a minimum load requirement on the transformer? Any issues if there is a GFI on the circuit?

The 24 volt dimmable power supply load is de-rated at 100% (full 96 watt capacity) until ambient temperatures exceed 105 F. Maximum allowable ambient temperature is 140 degrees F, at which the power supply output load is de-rated to 60% (59 watts capacity).

​We do not maintain a minimum load requirement on the power supply unit, but all dimmer tests are performed at 85% load.

With respect to your questions regarding installation through a wall outlet and the use of GFI components, I would consult with an electrician for further recommendations. From what I understand, there may be code compliance issues arising from:

The installation of a dimmer switch on a power outlet (e.g. what happens is someone inadvertently plugs in a non-dimmable, non-lighting appliance into the "dimmable" power outlet?)Installing hard-wired products into a wall outlet using a spliced plug cord.

From a pure electrical standpoint, I do not believe there would be any performance issues, but such installation methods would be beyond the scope of our safety and reliability assurances.

.

Overhead LED Lights Fixtures for Dental Lab Lighting


I have a dental lab and want to use overhead lights to create natural light to match shades for teeth on my bench top. I have no fixture but I need to get one or more. It would flush mount or hang. Ceiling is 70 inches above bench top. 

Our 95 CRI / full spectrum light sources are likely to be a great fit for the application. 

Below are two fixture products that may fit your needs well. Please let us know your thoughts:

https://store.waveformlighting.com/products/d50-5000k-t5-led-linear-light-fixture-for-color-matching-iso3664-2000https://store.waveformlighting.com/products/d50-5000k-led-shop-light-fixture-for-color-matching-iso3664-2000

D50 T8 LED Tube Lights for Color-Matching


We are looking for D50 Daylights for our color-matching table for printing and Packaging film checking. With the currently installed daylights we are facing an issue with online approval of our printing substrate through video calls there is flickering in the video and the other person on the video call is not able to see the substrate. Same problem we are not facing with normal light. So we are looking for such day lights which work fine with video transfer.

Currently, we use fluorescent tubes with electronic ballast of 36 watts, lengths of 1200mm, and 5000K. 

Based on the 5000K and 1200 mm length specifications, I've determined that our T8 D50 lamps are the best option for your needs. Please see below for the product link:

https://store.waveformlighting.com/products/d50-t8-led-tube-lights-for-color-matching-iso3664-2000

​We will also need to check for electronic ballast compatibility. The ballast must be listed on our list of compatible ballasts (found here: https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/UM_4024.pdf) for safe operation. If the ballast is not listed, you will need to perform some fixture modifications to remove or bypass the ballast altogether.

I want to confirm about the flicking issue we are facing with the existing light at the time of video calls will not be there with this T8 D50 lamps please advise. For electronic ballast, we can bypass if your LED lamp is not required the same.

Yes, these lamps are flicker-free when used without a fluorescent ballast (including an electronic ballast bypass). This would include video conferencing applications.

Please provide the datasheet for the light Certified that the provided light is D50 lights.

We have attached a link to the product photometric report below, which displays the full product light output technical details.

D50 T8 Spectrum Test Report: https://www.waveformlighting.com/photometrics/TR_4020.65.pdf

Recommended LED Strip Lights with a brightness level equivalent to a Retail Showroom


I am interested in the LED strip lights to light an area 15m long by 6m wide and 2.8m ceilings to a brightness level equivalent to a retail showroom. The calculator says I will need approx 42,000 lumens however I want to confirm that the led strip lights will be suitable. The purpose of the room is mostly storage for area rugs; however, customers regularly request more photos, so colour-accurate lighting throughout the entire area would be ideal. If I was to run two lines of the led strip lights from one end to the other which would equal about 6 reels total, would this actually light the area to the required level? Other than the 6 reels what else would I need to install this? 

To confirm, I've also run the numbers on my end based on the dimensions provided (converted to approximately 50 x 20 ft = 1000 square feet).

​The 42,000 lumens would provide you with approximately 40 footcandles, which is a great brightness level for general color evaluation, especially for larger surface areas such as rugs

Each reel emits approximately 7500 lumens, so the 6 reels sounds like a great target (7500 lumens per reel x 6 reels = 45,000 lumens). Each 16.4 ft (5 meter) reel requires its own power supply, so you will also need to purchase 6 power supply units.

I've linked to some example layouts which show how the power supplies can be connected for a non-dimmable, and dimmable setup, respectively:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_2A?px=-2183&py=-2023&pw=1366&ph=1046&s=0.1

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1C?px=-2183&py=-2023&pw=1366&ph=1046&s=0.1

Going with the same target of approx 43,000 lumens and using the linear light fixtures I would need 24 fixtures however I am not sure of the difference between the Northlux 95 CRI and the D50 for color matching, is there a benefit of one over the other for my use case?

Both the NorthLux and D50 T5 linear lights are actually the same product listed on different product pages for marketing purposes (PN 4026.4F.50) - sorry for any confusion!

We will also be creating content for social media, photos and videos (will the lights flicker?).

Our next batch, expected to be available in Feb 2021, will be 100% flicker free and will be suitable for photography.

We would like to have the warehouse look like it is a bright naturally lit room, and are considering the 5000K colour temperature.

This sounds like a great choice! 5000K is generally a nice, neutral light color that approximates noon sunshine. (6500K would be closer to north-facing blue sky).

We will be running the fixtures down two rows the length of the warehouse approx 1.5m from the sidewalls, if we ran 12 along each side would this create the evenest lighting or is there a better method? 

The best way to achieve even lighting would be to space out the fixtures as evenly as possible. Of course, with wiring and aesthetics that may not always be realistic. If I recall correctly, you had mentioned that the width of the space is 6 meters, so running the fixtures 1.5 meters (or perhaps 2.0 meters) from the walls would indeed provide sufficiently distributed light.

How many lights can be daisy-chained together? how many fixtures can be grouped per power plug, and do you have international plugs available at all?

The maximum connection is 70 feet (21 meters). If using the 4-ft fixtures, this would work out to approximately 17 fixtures per daisy-chain link. Unfortunately, we do not provide any additional plug converters, but you may also want to consider locating a C8 plug wire locally, should you prefer avoiding the use of a plug adapter.

Absolute Series D65 LED Flexible Strip for Color Matching


Can your Absolute D65 modules be used for color matching? I see you offer D50 T8 lights for color matching, however, we require D65 for textiles. Do you have any plans to offer this light in D65? 

We're happy to confirm that our 6500K ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Flexible Strip product is D65 Illuminant-compliant, and can be used for color matching.

We can also confirm that the 6500K NorthLux™ 95 CRI T8 LED Tube for Art & Studio product is compliant with the D65 Illuminant standard as well.

LED Lights for Textile-Dye Color Matching


I am looking for a lightbulb that will give me the most accurate color reading in my fabric restoration work. I use dyes to restore color loss on carpets and rugs and need to be able to match perfectly the color of the original to the spot I am touching up. What would be the best product for this?

We recommend the D50 5000K A19 LED Bulb for Color Matching (ISO3664:2000) product. This product features a high CRI, is flicker-free, and is D50 calibrated for color-critical work which might be valuable for your purposes. We also have a great blog post on our website regarding D50, which I have linked to below in the event that it is useful.

What is D50 for graphic arts & printing?: https://www.waveformlighting.com/color-matching/what-is-d50-for-graphic-arts-printing

​However, please know that offer a 30 day return policy. In the event that one product winds up being preferable over another, simply let us know and we would be happy to issue a free return label for your refund. 

D50 or 5000K LED Lights with Best CRI for Color Creating and Matching


I'm a colorist, creating foundation shades ( makeup) I was looking for the best light to work with, and I thought the D50 would be perfect I notice Centric Daylight has a better R9 ( 100%) compared to the D50 ( 92%). Also, the Centrix are Flicker free so it would be healthier right? I'm facing north and I have Large Windows Could you tell me which bulb should I get? It would be great on your website to have a Graphic comparing all the light and the data! PS: I wanted to tell you that all the blogs regarding, Kelvin, CRI, UV, and other Questions are so Interesting! 

Based on the details which you have provided, we might recommend the 5000K NorthLux™ 95 CRI E26 A19 LED Bulb for Art & Studio product, due to the higher R9 value (listed as 94 in our latest photometric report), which could be very valuable for the color work that you mentioned.

However, please know that we also offer a 30 day return policy. In the event that one product winds up being preferable over the other, we will gladly issue a return label for a refund.

CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ Full Spectrum Flicker-Free T8 LED Tube Light for Paint Shop Application


We are updating the lighting in our paint shop and your CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ Full Spectrum Flicker-Free T8 LED Tube Light seems like a perfect retrofit. The most important thing is that the paint colors appear inside as close to the way they appear outside. I wanted to check in and see if these are the bulbs that you would recommend, and if you would suggest 4000K, 5000k, or 6500k. Based on your write-ups the 6500k seems like the most appropriate - but I always like to check in with the pros! 

Based on the description provided, we might recommend the CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ Full Spectrum Flicker-Free T8 LED Tube Light in the 6500K color temperature option. The light which is emitted by the 6500K tube lights will be extremely similar to that of full daylight.

That being said, please note that we offer a 30 day return policy for all orders. In the event that you decide on a different color temperature after installation, please let us know and we will gladly issue a return label.

LED Home Office Lighting: Best Color Temperature that Mimic Sunlight


I am trying to mimic "sunlight" in my small home office now that the days are getting shorter. The closest thing to my desired lighting that I have experienced is dental overhead lights. I recently purchased a FilmGrade A19 LED bulb, but it felt a bit cool to me. I realize that natural daylight sits in the 5600K to 6500K color range. 

1) Do you have suggestions for which of your A19 or BR30 bulbs may best fit my use case? 

2) Am I always going to find "natural daylight" options a bit too cool? Would 4000K or 5000K offer a better experience? 

Getting the correct color temperature is indeed a challenge!

​You are correct that the 5000K to 6500K range is generally considered a good match for natural daylight. 4000K is also a nice option, and you may find some useful information on our blog post here.

​One thing to keep in mind that oftentimes, natural daylight color temperatures can appear a bit blue or stark when you do not have enough brightness overall. To that end, if you have any information on the total square footage being illuminated, we may be able to provide some additional recommendations on the quantity of lamps needed to provide sufficient brightness at that color temperature.

We would perhaps recommend taking advantage of our free returns policy to test and compare the various color temperature options and lamp quantities. Once you've made your mind, just let us know and we'd be glad to pay for return shipping and refund you for any returned items. 

6500K Flicker-free Lighting for Art Capture, Color Correction and Fine art Printing


I perform art to capture, color correction, and fine art printing. I am using Ikan Lyra LEDs at this time but not so happy with their results. They are okay, but I am looking for 6500K lighting, also flicker-free. I see you have bulbs and strips. 

We suspect that the primary reason for the difficulty in judging color differences is due to an incomplete spectrum emitted by the Ikan product. Specifically, this will likely be reflected in a low CRI value, possibly in the 80-90 range. (You may also want to look into the R9 value, which provides even more data about red color rendering in particular).

As a starting point, we would recommend experimenting with a few of our 95 CRI products. Here are the A19 bulbs which are daylight calibrated to D50 (5000K) and D65 (6500K) with a 95 CRI rating and would be a great starting point for your tests:

https://store.waveformlighting.com/collections/a19-bulbs/products/northlux-95-cri-e26-a19-led-bulb-for-artwork-painting

If you would like to consider our LED strip lights, we would recommend our FilmGrade LED strip lights which are offered in both 5600K and 6500K:

https://store.waveformlighting.com/products/filmgrade-led-strip-lights-for-film-photography

Our 5000K LED strip lights (also in 95 CRI) are listed under our retail & commercial section:

https://store.waveformlighting.com/products/ultra-high-95-cri-led-strip-lights-for-commercial

Installing the LED strip lights will require a bit of additional assembly and installation work. For additional guidance, we recommend referencing our layout maps which can be found at the link below:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps

​Finally, ​we would recommend taking advantage of our returns policy to test out several of the color temperature options and determine if our products do indeed offer an improvement over your current setup. The full policy can be found below:

https://store.waveformlighting.com/pages/returns-refunds-policy

High CRI 95+ 6500K E26 Color Grading room for editing, coloring matching, and finishing videos and still projects.


I'm looking for a lighting solution for a color grading room for editing, coloring matching, and finishing videos and still projects. In looking through your catalog, there appear to be several matches however they are not specifically listed under the color-matching category. Can you list every product that meets the above specs including non-E26 models?

Currently, the only E26 bulb that explicitly meets the D65 ISO color metric is the NorthLux 6500K A19 bulb. Please see below for the product link:

https://store.waveformlighting.com/collections/a19-bulbs/products/northlux-95-cri-e26-a19-led-bulb-for-artwork-painting?variant=16070418989158

For non-E26, you may also be interested in our shop light and integrated fixture products, which are shown below:

https://store.waveformlighting.com/products/northlux-95-cri-led-shop-light-fixture?variant=32004781506662 https://store.waveformlighting.com/products/northlux-95-cri-t5-led-linear-light-fixture

The difference between NorthLux and Centric Daylight Lamps in color-accurate lighting application.


What is the actual difference between the NorthLux and Centric Daylight lamps? Is it just that NorthLux has RedBoost and R9 >90 whereas Centric does not, and is only R9 >80, or is there more?

I'm an artist and looking for the most color-accurate lighting option to redo my studio and the entire house. I use 4" T8 tubes in the studio. Would the D50 5000K series render more accurate colors than the NorthLux 5000K? 

I see you have the Absolute Series as well, but it appears to only be available in strips. Do you, or will you have bulbs and tubes available in this series as well? 

The primary difference between the NorthLux and the Centric Daylight is that the NorthLux has chromaticity points calibrated to D50 and D65 color points, for the 5000K and 6500K versions, respectively. While the Centric Daylight also offers 95 CRI, the exact color point is not as precise.​The NorthLux and D50 series are the same product listed on multiple pages. If you are looking for a color point that matches ISO standards, we would recommend the NorthLux / D50 product lines.​Unfortunately we do not have any lamps with the 99 CRI Absolute Series at this time.

Are the NorthLux indeed R9 > 90?

The NorthLux A19 has an R9 value of 90+.

Also, I'm just curious why, if the NorthLux are more finely tuned, are they and the Centric Daylight bulbs the same price? 

We intend to consolidate production for both the CENTRIC DAYLIGHT and NorthLux lamps into a single part number in the future, such that all products would meet the same D50/D65 standard. As such, the pricing was set to the same price point preemptively as we expect to offer the same product in the future.

Are there plans to make any Absolute series bulbs, even just as 4' T8 tubes?

We do have a few plans for future product development in the ABSOLUTE SERIES, but unfortunately, there are no specifics on that yet.

Absolute Series LED modules for a color matching to a Pantone swatch book and small item product photography.


I am interested in the Absolute series LED modules, I just realized the modules won't fit into the aluminum channels you offer, so I'm not certain what to mount them on or use as a diffuser. Do you have any recommendations? Is the type of diffuser material likely to affect the CRI at all? 

I was also wondering about the brightness - each module produces 800 lumens. 

I am also thinking about getting one of your dimmers, is the panel with 2 modules likely to be too bright to use at full strength? 

I was also thinking about trying the North Lux light bulbs, but wasn't sure about the socket type - I'm in the UK. I noticed the Centric Daylight bulbs have an E27 European option though, are those actually the same bulbs as the North Lux? What is the actual CRI for either of these bulbs? The item page says they have a CRI of 95+, and an R9 of 80+, but the photometric report seems to suggest both of these are much higher. Am I reading it wrong? 

I was planning on getting the D65 modules as I'm used to working with natural daylight color temperatures. The Pantone color bridge I'm using says to use D50 for color matching, is the D65 fine for this? Pantone has further confused me by using M1 lighting for the color bridge guide, but M2 lighting without UV for the online color finder - do the Absolute series modules qualify as M1 lighting (the D50 version anyway)? 

First of all, our ABSOLUTE SERIES LED modules sound like a great option to give you an excellent "building block" for building your own light panel. The 99 CRI is an excellent fit for many color viewing and color-critical applications.

​Whether or not you will need a diffuser will depend on whether there will be any potential for glare. If, for example, you plan on shining the modules directly at the illumination subject, there should not be any issues. For more information, we would recommend our blog article here: https://www.waveformlighting.com/home-residential/aluminum-channels-for-led-strip-lights-are-they-worth-it-an-in-depth-look

​If you do decide that the aluminum channels and diffusers are indeed necessary, you may want to consider our flexible LED strip version of the ABSOLUTE SERIES as they will fit inside the aluminum channels without any issues.

Each module produces 800 lumens. It's a bit difficult to provide any recommendations as to whether this is sufficient or excessive for your needs, but you may want to take a look at our lumen estimation calculator, which you can find here:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/lumen-calculator

​Alternatively, a useful rule of thumb is to remember that 800 lumens are approximately equal in brightness to a 60-watt incandescent bulb.

​Transitioning to our household lamp form factors, the NorthLux is not available in an E27 socket variant, so we would recommend our CENTRIC DAYLIGHT versions instead. For more information on E26 vs E27, you may want to reference our article here:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/home-residential/e26-vs-e27-bulbs-are-they-interchangeable

The CENTRIC DAYLIGHT versions also offer an excellent 95 CRI color rendering at 5000K and 6500K, either of which should work well for you. The only minor difference (as noted by their part number including or not including the letter "D") is that the NorthLux is calibrated to D50 and D65 color standards, which may be of interest to you.

The actual color rendering values will depend on the specific bulb. Our guaranteed values are 95+ and 80+ for CRI, respectively, but depending on the specific bulb, these values may fluctuate. CRI, for example, can be anywhere between 95 and 98.

Since you'll be using the lamps for digital arts (rather than printing and visual assessments) with monitors calibrated to D65, our 6500K or D65 product options sound like the best option for you.

Is there a recommended type of material for this, or will any type of translucent plastic do? Are there any materials that look appropriate but I should actively avoid them due to them compromising the CRI too much? If I use completely transparent clear plastic just for a protective 'lid' over the module, will this affect the color temperature or CRI at all? My gut says no on this last one, but thought it was worth checking in case there's something I'm not aware of.

Unfortunately, all materials will absorb and reflect a small portion of the light energy across the spectrum in slightly different ways. We generally recommend using polycarbonate, acrylic, or glass, as these materials generally alter the spectrum to the smallest extent. Some anecdotal testing on our end indicates that polycarbonate diffusers can affect the color temperature by 200-300K. CRI is generally not affected.

I was hoping you might be able to give me some quick advice on setting up the modules - I've made a basic diagram of my plan, but I don't have much experience with this sort of thing, so I was hoping you could take a quick look and see if it makes sense.

I've reviewed the drawing you kindly provided, and everything looks good and reasonable.

Hopefully, this makes sense, if not, let me know! I will most likely put 3 modules on one panel and 2 on a separate one, but I am making the basic assumption that even if I put all 5 on the same panel using the same power supply, it should be ok, as the power supply is 24v, 60W, 2.5A, which seems to cover the minimum requirements for 5 modules, plus a bit extra - is it ok?  

Yes, the power capacity appears to be perfectly fine for this installation. The only thing to be careful of would be to make sure that the wires used to connect the modules have sufficient thickness. Generally, if you're just connecting a single module, you should be fine with 20 AWG or thicker.

Is it okay to use an inline switch sold as a 12V switch, as long as the amp rating is high enough? I found some that say 2 amp max at 12VDC, and one that says suitable for 5-24V but doesn't mention amps... They're all very basic barrel jack connected on/off switches that look identical, but I've read conflicting information online about this issue, mostly regarding the possibility of arcing with higher voltage, so I thought I'd better ask even though most people say it's ok. I'm guessing the current that will go through the switch will only be the 420mA / 10W for a single module though, given how it will be set up.  

There should not be any significant safety issues here, but we would recommend checking with the switch manufacturer to ensure that operation at 24 volts would be permissible. I believe that both the arc voltage, as well as current ratings, would both be of concern here.

Not too bothered about having to replace the switches if they break, but I don't want anything bad to happen to the LED modules. And I'm assuming that connecting and disconnecting the modules via just unplugging any of the connecting wires between the individual module and PSU while it's all switched on is a bad idea? This sort of thing is generally frowned upon, hence my idea about adding inline switches for each module for some brightness control... Sorry if any of these are silly questions, I'm learning this on the fly! 

There should be no issues with the modules, as long as they are not suddenly flooded with voltage or current.

As for the A19 style bulbs, does the article you linked basically mean it's always unsafe to use E26 bulbs in an E27 socket, even when they are compatible with 240V AC?

That is our assessment based on the dimensions and input voltage levels.

Would it be safe to use a NorthLux E26 bulb with a B22 (bayonet socket) to an E26 adapter at 240V? (E27 to E26 doesn't seem to be a thing...) Given that the product page says it's compatible with 240V AC, I assume I wouldn't have to use a step-down transformer or anything?  

Yes, the product is compatible with global input voltages and will operate with 240 volts AC despite having an E26 base.

Do you know if NorthLux bulbs (the D50 version anyway) conform to the M1 lighting standard at all? 

Unfortunately, our D50 products do not conform to the MIUV metamerism requirement for UV fluorescence. As such, you will see our conformance is limited to ISO 3664:2000 and not any of the later standards.

Do the lights emit anything into the UV range at all, or are they closer to the M2 UV-excluded type lights in that respect? Doesn't help either that the bridge guide uses M1 standards and photoshop uses M2 when the paper the guides printed on is full of OBAs.

All of our products do not emit any UV (defined as < 400nm) except for our realUV products.

Except for our ABSOLUTE SERIES LED products, the LEDs are based on a royal blue 460 nm emitter with phosphor downconversion, so virtually no energy is emitted below 430 nm or so.

I saw the section about white rendering on the Absolute series product page, does this mean they can activate the OBAs in paper and textiles, at least somewhat? 

You are correct that the ABSOLUTE SERIES LED products do have some potential to excite OBAs to improve white rendering. This is due to the underlying emitter being based on a violet emitter which peaks at 420 nm. You'll notice, though, that this is still well within the visible range of the spectrum and does not produce enough ultraviolet energy to provide meaningful improvements to MIUV rendering.

One thing you may want to look into is the realUV LED strip or floodlights​ in combination with our existing visible wavelength range products to improve UV rendering. Unfortunately, we don't have any test data or full solutions here, but this may be worth experimenting with on your end.

What is the difference between Centric and NorthLux lights, since they each have 5000K and 6500K temperatures?


What is the difference between Centric and NorthLux lights, since they each have 5000K and 6500K temperatures? Do these have the same spectral output and are simply the same lamp but in different product families? For backlighting, 35mm slides when photographing (digitizing) which would be better, a 6500K from the Centric or Northlight groups, or the 5600K Filmgrade since it is supposed to match the camera sensor more closely?

For our A19 lamps, the CENTRIC DAYLIGHT products and NorthLux products both have 95 CRI, but have slightly different color point tolerances, with the latter being more precisely calibrated for color matching and viewing applications.

Specifically, the NorthLux 5000K meets the ISO D50 color viewing standard and may be a preferred option for your camera application. (The products are distinguished by their part numbers, which are PN 4005.50 and PN 4005.D50, respectively).

Regarding color correction, the closest match to D50 with our NorthLux product will suggest that few to no color corrections would be necessary because most camera systems will have the D50 color point likely pre-loaded as their calibration point.

Our FilmGrade A19 is another option that provides the same 95 CRI spectral quality, with a slightly higher blue component compared to 5000K. The 5600K color point is commonly used for photography and cinematography applications and is commonly chosen where ambient lighting conditions are also calibrated to a 5600K color environment.

Given the 95 CRI and high R9 values, the color spectrum of the NorthLux 5000K has sufficient coverage for all wavelengths that the camera sensors are calibrated to.

Color matching for dental office lighting


I run a dental practice and am looking for better lighting in my office. I need to be able to match tooth colors with various shades of filling material (e.g. ceramic / composite resin). The industry recommendation is to use natural daylight / sunlight as the standard. I currently have 4-ft fluorescent T8 fixtures in my office. What LED tube product would you recommend?

We can completely understand why being able to properly match tooth color to filling materials would be crucial for your practice. With your existing fluorescent lighting, there's a good chance that what appears to be a color match in the office may not actually be a match under natural lighting!

From a technical specifications perspective, we would recommend 5000K with a high CRI, as this will allow you to match natural daylight / sunlight the best.

5000K is likely the most ideal color temperature for your application, as it offers a more neutral color point compared to 4000K (morning sunshine) and 6500K (blue sky). Perhaps most importantly, the high CRI value will ensure that the tooth and filling colors you see in the office are the same colors you will see under natural lighting conditions.

Please see below for our 5000K / 95 CRI product link:

https://store.waveformlighting.com/products/northlux-95-cri-t8-led-tube-for-art-studio?variant=15428715905126

These LED tube lights include DirectWire™ technology, so you'll be able to re-lamp your existing fluorescent fixture without having to worry about re-wiring or re-configuring the ballast connection. Simply remove the fluorescent lamps, and install our LED tubes and you'll be up and running!

Finally, we offer a 30-day free returns policy on our products, so if you're unsure, we recommend testing the lamps to see how they work out for you. If they aren't what you're looking for, we will gladly pay for return shipping and provide a full refund.

What is the difference between CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ 5000K/6500K and D50/NorthLux™?


Several of our products are listed on multiple product pages for marketing purposes. This is also the case for the CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ (5000K/6500K), D50 and NorthLux™ product lines.

The 5000K products below are the same underlying product:

PN 4005C.50: CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ 5000KPN 4005C.50: D50PN 4005C.50: NorthLux™ 5000K

The 6500K products below are the same underlying product:

PN 4005C.65: CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ 6500KPN 4005C.65: NorthLux™ 6500K

All of these products are calibrated to the D50 and D65 color standards for color viewing and other vision-critical applications at 5000K and 6500K, respectively. These products are all great lighting solutions for professional or color-critical applications, as well as specialty indoor lighting applications such as light therapy.

Note: this product page was updated in November 2021 to reflect the most recent changes to our product specifications and offerings. For customers who purchased these products prior to 2021, please reference the archived article here.

Best bulb for viewing prints and color accuracy?


I am looking for a daylight-calibrated LED bulb that fits into a regular table lamp to view prints. Color accuracy and D50 white balance is crucial. What do you recommend?

Our D50 calibrated, 95 CRI LED lamps sound like a great fit for your needs!

For a basic table lamp with a medium-size (E26) screw base, our D50 5000K A19 LED Bulb for Color Matching (ISO3664:2000) product would be the best fit. This bulb is calibrated to the D50 standard, which would be perfect for print viewing and color accuracy.

[Archived] What is the difference between CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ 5000K/6500K and D50/NorthLux™?


[ARCHIVED ARTICLE] This article has been archived as of November 2021 due to recent changes in our product specifications. Please see this article for the most up-to-date information on our current offerings. Customers who purchased our lamps prior to 2021 (lamps marked with PN 4005.XX rather than PN 4005C.XX) can continue to reference the archived information below.

Several of our products are listed on multiple product pages for marketing purposes. One major exception is our 10 watt A19 bulb product line, for which we offer the two part number variants for each of the 5000K and 6500K color points:

5000K:

PN 4005.50: CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ 5000KPN 4005.D50: D50 / NorthLux™ 5000K

6500K:

PN 4005.65: CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ 6500KPN 4005.D65: NorthLux™ 6500K

You will notice that the D50 and NorthLux™ product lines have a "D" prefix in the color temperature designation inside the part number. This signifies that these products are calibrated to the D50 and D65 color standards for color viewing and other vision-critical applications at 5000K and 6500K, respectively.

The CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ products are also available in 5000K and 6500K, but they are not designed for color viewing applications. Specifically, they have a slightly greener tint (elevated Duv values), which is a closer approximation of the ANSI chromaticity targets for daylight color points.

In short, if you're looking for a lighting solution for a professional or color-critical application, we recommend the D50 / D65 designated NorthLux™ lamps. On the other hand, if you're using the lamps for indoor lighting such as light therapy, the CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ lamps will be a great option.






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