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What is the difference between the Centric Daylight 5000K and Northlux 5000k bulbs?

What is the difference between the Centric Daylight 5000K and Northlux 5000k bulbs? What is the R9 rating for the Centric Daylight 5000k bulb? Also, do the 5000k bulbs give off a blue hue to them? 

The difference between the CENTRIC DAYLIGHT and NorthLux bulbs is that the NorthLux bulbs are calibrated to the D50 and D65 color standards which may be crucial for certain visual tasks. Both feature 95+ CRI and R9 values of 80+.

The 5000K lamps could certainly be perceived as being blue, especially during evening hours, and compared to incandescent and other warm white LED lamps. 

Here is an article going over some aspects of 6500K lamps, many of which would also apply to 5000K lamps:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/color-matching/top-4-things-to-consider-before-buying-6500k-daylight-led-bulbs

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.

LED Tube Light for Photo Print Studio

I need an LED tube bulb that is guaranteed not to go below 400nm (a photo print studio); any thoughts?

We are happy to confirm that our T8 LED Tube Light products, such as the NorthLux™ 95 CRI T8 LED Tube for Art & Studio product, will not emit UV wavelengths. As can be noted in the product spectrum test report below, the spectral distribution trails off before the 400nm wavelength.

5000K NorthLux™ 95 CRI T8 LED Tube for Art & Studio Spectrum Test Report: https://www.waveformlighting.com/photometrics/TR_4020.50.pdf

T8 Product Data Sheet: https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/CS_4020-6000.pdf

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.

Recommended Lighting that Best Resembles Daylight

I am working on trying to find the best lighting for a test I am working on. Basically, I need to find a light that best resembles daylight due to the regulation I working on. It looks like the 99 CRI could work but I was wondering if the conditions make sense. 

We're happy to confirm that the 99 CRI ABSOLUTE SERIES™ products produce light output which is extremely similar to daylight. 

It might also be helpful to know that we offer a 30-day return policy for all orders. If these products wind up not being the right fit for your tests, simply let us know and we would be happy to issue a prepaid return label so that the items can be returned for a refund.

Can you please provide the photometric reports? I believe this will greatly help me in my decision on finding a product that could work for my testing. Also, is there anything special I would need to purchase to use the bulbs (ie certain setup or can I put in a normal lamp?)

We have attached the links for the 99 CRI photometric reports below, as requested. Please note that, unlike our traditional A19 and BR30 bulbs, these products are not designed for standard lamp bases, and will require additional power supplies such as the 12V FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip.

ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Linear Module - 99 CRI - 1 ft / 280 mm MCPCB: https://store.waveformlighting.com/products/absolute-series-99-cri-led-linear-module

ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Flexible Strip - 99 CRI - 16 ft / 5 m Reel: https://store.waveformlighting.com/products/absolute-series-led-flexible-strip-99-cri-16-ft-5-m-reel

5000K Photometric Report: https://www.waveformlighting.com/photometrics/TR_7001.50.pdf

6500K Photometric Report: https://www.waveformlighting.com/photometrics/TR_7001.65.pdf

Difference between NorthLux and D50 T8 LED Tube Lights

I am wondering if you could help me with a few questions about specific products of yours: 

NorthLux™ 95 CRI T8 LED Tube for Art & Studio & D50 5000K T8 LED Tube Lights for Color Matching (ISO3664:2000) What is the main difference between these two lights? I'd get them in 6500k. Are they both near daylight quality? They are for my workshop. I'd like it as close to daylight as possible. 

Regarding the 2 above lights, what is the footprint size of the light the fixtures emit? How many square feet of light would each tube emit? 

I see that you offer the same quality lights but in a T5 fixture. What is the square footage of light emitted for the T5 fixtures with CRI95? 

We can confirm that the NorthLux™ 95 CRI T8 LED Tube for Art & Studio product and the D50 5000K T8 LED Tube Lights for Color Matching (ISO3664:2000) are identical products which are provided unique landing pages for marketing purposes. This can be noted by the shared part number of both products. We would like to sincerely apologize for any confusion that this might have caused.

As the footprint size of the light output generally scales depending on the area that the light is filling, it would be difficult to know what the footcandle measurement would be without knowing the dimensions of the space. As such, our lumen estimation calculator tool might prove to be helpful for your planning purposes. By inputting the dimensions and selecting the planned purpose of the space, our web tool will assist in suggesting the right quantity of lighting products to meet your ideal output.

In the interim, we can confirm that each of the products has an 1800-lumen output. Further, the 6500K color temperature option is designed to emit light that is extremely similar to north-facing daylight. Alternatively, our 2ft NorthLux™ 95 CRI T5 LED Linear Light Fixtures have a lumen output of 900, whereas the 4 ft fixtures will have an output of 1800 lumens.

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

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:

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.

Centric Daylight vs Northlux

Which 95 CRI T8 LED Tube light is better? We are filming videos. Our other studio lights are 5500K but I am thinking the 5000K can work. They would be replacing the current ceiling lights which are quite warm. I was interested in the flicker-free Centric but the Northlux is advertised as studio lighting. Are there potential flicker issues with the Northlux? 

Our NorthLux T8 LED tube lights should work quite well for your needs! They are also flicker-free but not listed as such, since flicker is generally not a concern for most of our visual arts studio customers.

​On the other hand, we completely understand the concerns you have concerning flicker and on-camera use. As such, as an additional layer of assurance of flicker-free performance, we would recommend installing these lamps in a ballast-bypass configuration so that any flicker or other interference from electronic ballasts is not introduced into the light output stream.

We also do find that many TV/cinematography lighting systems are calibrated to 5500K / 5600K, however, the NorthLux 5000K should be a similar match, and the 95 CRI color accuracy should be a great fit for the film.

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.

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.

LED Strip Lights for Photographing Artworks

I'm looking to create a lighting setup for digitally photographing artworks (mainly paintings) and then printing the files. 

I intended to make 4 panels around 40x50cm from 2-3 5m led rolls cut to lengths and attached to a backboard. I would like to be able to dim these panels also.

​This sounds like a great approach and excellent use case for the ABSOLUTE SERIES LED strip lights. The LED strip lights include double-sided adhesive and should allow for quick installation onto the backboard.

​For dimming, we recommend our FilmGrade flicker-free LED dimmer, which can be installed in between the LED strip lights and the power supply. Please see below for the product link:

​I am looking at the 99% absolute series and would like advice on how much light I may need (how close to space led strips on the panels?) and which driver I may need for say 7.5-meter strip cut to lengths.

​The amount of light needed would depend on the brightness needed for your photography (perhaps determined by your shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings) as well as the distance away from the artwork. As a general ballpark estimate, each meter emits approximately 1250 lumens, which is equivalent to a 75-100 watt incandescent bulb.

​The maximum run length for the product is 5.0 meters. If connecting 7.5 meters per panel, you will need two separate power supplies (and perhaps, unfortunately, you will also require two separate dimmers for the separate circuits). The link to the power supply is shown below:

​Our general recommendation for spacing is to space the LED strip lights no farther apart than the distance from the illumination surface. In other words, if the panel is to be placed 20 cm from the illumination surface, the LED strips should not be spaced farther than 20 cm apart.

​Also, would the absolute series be good to record digital colors from paintings? I may install a linear polarizing sheet across the front of the panels also. They will likely be set at 45 degrees to paint.

​Yes, the ABSOLUTE SERIES is a great option for digital image capture! The 99 CRI rating is the highest that is currently available in the industry and informs us that the color accuracy as captured by your camera would be nearly perfect.

​The polarizing sheet, as well as perhaps a diffuser sheet, can help ensure even and smooth light distribution across the paintings.

​I notice a beam angle referenced in preassembled lighting panels - can you briefly explain this? and is it possible to recreate it with the strip LEDs?

The beam angle refers to the angle at which the light is dispersed. Our LED strip lights have a beam angle of 120 degrees, which you can think of as being a very wide conical light dispersion angle.

An led strip shows a lumen output of 6250. What would be a comparison in Lux at 1m or 3m? I suspect I am a little underpowered at 6250 lumens / 416 watts approx.

​A single row of LED strip lights will provide approximately 300 lux at 1 meter, and 25 lux at 3 meters. If using multiple rows, however, you would be able to add these lux values up in a linear fashion to determine the illuminance on that particular surface.

​You mentioned a space of 20cm between strips at a 20cm distance. I had guessed placing led strips at around an 8cm gap (mainly for estimated panel size using a 1x 5m reel, but I think I may need the strips much closer. 

Closer together than the 20 cm distance I had somewhat arbitrarily suggested is not an issue at all.

​I think I may need 4 panels of 5m strips cut to lengths (with a driver and dimmer for each panel) although this becomes pricy. Would you concur that with your products a 5m strip is the maximum for the drivers and dimmer?

Unfortunately, the maximum run length would indeed be 5 meters due to the power supply capacity as well as the limitations of the LED strip circuitry.

I generally understand CRI and the wavelengths of color and your absolute series seems to be as good as a "roto light" or "Gemini lite panel" and possibly as good as it gets. I see another figure being used for color perception and described as TICI. Do you have a rating for the Absolute series and what is TICI? (can't find it on google)

TLCI is the Television Lighting Consistency Index, frequently used in TV and broadcast environments in Europe. Similar to CRI, the TLCI determines color accuracy in the context of cameras and photography. Our ABSOLUTE SERIES has been tested to 99 TLCI (please see attached).

Are your LEDs flicker-free? I presume 4x 5m reels could all be exactly the same intensity and color? And the best color accuracy would be from a fixed-temperature LED. I note the preassembled panels from others have control over temperature, intensity, and hue in some cases.

Our LEDs are flicker-free when used with a flicker-free power source. All reels are calibrated to the same brightness and color point and are not adjustable, unfortunately.

​Would you happen to know what the import charges would be?

Unfortunately, import charges are quite variable and it is difficult to provide estimates up front, as these can depend on the specific port of import as well as customs officer discretion.

​If you would like to inquire with local customs authorities in advance, you might want to check on the estimated costs for products with HTS code 8539.50.0090, which is what is typically used for LED strip lights.

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.

5000K Lighting for Oil Painting Studio

I just found your website and would like to purchase an LED tube light for my oil painting studio, but noticed that your NorthLux™ 95 CRI LED Shop Light Fixture is sold out until 2-1-21. This sounds like the best option for me, but could you recommend an alternative? I'm noticing that you have T8 bulbs that would work with a regular fluorescent fixture. Could you point me to a fixture that would work well with these bulbs? Or is the NorthLux™ 95 CRI LED Shop Light Fixture a much better solution because of the diffuser and the integrated LED tubes? I'm interested in 5000K, but maybe you could suggest why I would want to go to 6500K?

We can confirm that our LED Shop Light Fixture is a great option for your lighting needs. You may take advantage of our 30-day return policy if you would like to try the product in your studio.

We can also confirm that our T8 LED tube light products can be utilized in any existing T8 fixture, though we do recommend installing these products within fixtures that do not utilize ballast or bypass the ballast entirely. More information about these installation types can be found on our T8 product specification sheet, which I have linked below.

Specification sheet link: https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/UM_4020.pdf

We also have a terrific article on our website which describes the differences between 5000K and 6500K in detail, which might prove to be useful in your planning.

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

Do you sell 5000K light bulbs for track lighting? See attached image. I probably need to get you some sort of code off the bulb itself. See attached image.

Based off of the photo that was shared, it appears that the lights within your track system are BR30 bulbs​.

We're happy to confirm that we sell the 5000K Full Spectrum E26 BR30 LED Bulb products, which are often installed within similar track lighting systems. This product also features compatibility with dimmers.

UV LED Light for Cyanotype Printing Application

I have read several of your helpful articles but still have no idea which would be the best light for working with cyanotypes. (Cyanotypes are a type of cameraless photography where you contact print images and expose them either under the Sun or a UV light) I assume people have purchased these lights for this purpose before. Can you let me know if both NM types work or if one is superior for this particular use? 

While we have not done any internal tests or gathered any data to verify, we have indeed have numerous customers reach out regarding this application.

​We believe that the 365 nm wavelength works best for cyanotype printing applications. The 365 nm UV LED flood light is certainly a popular option. Please see below for the product link:

We would perhaps recommend testing and taking advantage of our free returns policy. If for whatever reason you find that the LED bulbs are not going to work for your project, we would be more than happy to pay for return shipping and offer a full refund. 

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:

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.

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Difference between the NorthLux and D50

I am interested in purchasing some light bulbs for a fixture being installed in my studio to supplement our North light window into the evening hours. I am looking at the NorthLux and D50 bulbs and wondering what the distinctions between the two bulbs are. It seems the NorthLux is best suited to our needs, however, our electrician is recommending the D50. 

Our NorthLux products are offered in both 5000K and 6500K. The 6500K color option is likely to be an excellent match for the natural light you currently have coming in from your north-facing window. Some visual artists and other professionals do prefer 5000K as it provides a bit less blue and is a more neutral color point.

For additional insights into the difference between these two color temperatures, please see below:

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

Our NorthLux products in 5000K are actually the same product as the D50, and the products are listed on multiple product pages for marketing purposes. We do apologize for any confusion caused!

NorthLux vs. D50 for Oil Painting Studio

I'm an oil painter based in Finland (Europe). I'm looking for a high CRI true-to-natural light lighting solution and am very interested in your NorthLux product range. The thing is, your NorthLux bulbs don't seem to come in E27, and I'm unsure whether I can use them in my Andoer softbox-fixtures. The only product that seems to come close is the D50 colour matching bulb. How close is this to the NorthLux bulb, and would you recommend it for a painter's studio as the next best thing? 

Our high CRI daylight bulbs sound like a great fit for your needs!

Our E27 D50, CENTRIC DAYLIGHT and NorthLux A19 lamps all feature the same 95 CRI and spectrum, and are listed on different product pages for marketing purposes. We do apologize for any confusion caused!

​The part numbers 4007.50 or 4007.65 will correspond to the 5000K and 6500K color variants that are available.

​Below is the link to the CENTRIC DAYLIGHT A19 page from which you can purchase both color options directly:

Does NorthLux™ 95 CRI LED Shop Light Fixture include the bulbs or do they need to be bought separately?

I am an artist and am interested in your product. Two questions, does the product include the bulbs or do they need to be bought separately? Which is better for an artist, the 5000K or the 6500K?

We can confirm that the LED Shop Light Fixture contains the lighting within the product housing. As such, there is no need for additional hardware to utilize this product.

Regarding the color temperature options, we might recommend 5000K for artwork creation, though this selection may come down to preference as both can be very good options for artwork. The 5000K color temperate option will emit light that is similar to neutral daylight, with a balanced white color.

Alternatively, the 6000K color temperature option will be more similar to north-facing full daylight.

Does the 4026.4f.50 4 ft do the same thing? Do I need to order a separate bulb or is it included? 

We're happy to confirm that the T5 Linear Light Fixture products contain integrated LEDs, and do not require any modification for operation.

However, the product does contain mounting accessories that can be used for installation.

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:

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:

​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

High CRI LED lighting for Photographic Printmaking

I am a professional printmaker for photographers who sell their work in galleries. I also produce prints for museum exhibits and corporate photography installations. I am building a new print-making studio. I would like high CRI lighting for my print viewing/color-correcting area. I need 5000K Hi CRI (95 or higher) for color correcting as well as 2700K and 3000K high CRI to view prints for how they will look under gallery or museum lighting. I would prefer to have one light source to be able to produce all three color temperatures. Each color temperature would be used one at a time. Which of your products would work best for my application?

Our high CRI LED lighting offerings sound like a great fit for both the color viewing (D50 / 5000K) as well as gallery/museum lighting conditions (2700K/3000K).

​Unfortunately, we do not offer any products that feature the ability to switch between those color points, so we would instead recommend installing separate lamps for each of the color points needed.

​For the D50 / 5000K color point, our line of NorthLux or D50 products will work well for your needs. For example, please see below for our A19, T8 lamp or T5 fixture options:

Our 2700K and 3000K are a bit more limited in form factors. Below is our A19 and BR30 lamp option:

If you can let us know a bit more about the lighting installation in terms of fixtures and location, we'd be glad to assist with some additional recommendations and guidance!

Will your T-8 NorthLux 95 CRI LED tubes operate with a dimmable ballast allowing me to dim the output and still maintain the same color temperature and color rendering index?

Unfortunately our T8 LED lamps are not dimmable, and will not work with a dimmable ballast. Sorry for the bad news!

LED Strip Lights for Copying Film with DSLR Camera

I'm planning on replacing the fluorescent tubes in the 24"x36" light table I use for copying film negatives and positives with a DSLR camera. High CRI is important and I want to stay in the D50 or 5600k color temperature range. Do you have any recommendations or know of customer experiences for this kind of application? I'd like to do some tests with the FilmGrade and Absolute series, but I don't see a sample kit for the Absolute D50 lights.

Our D50 and 5600K light sources with 95/99 CRI sound like a great fit for your needs. While we do not have any specific case studies that we could point you towards, I'm confident that these specifications will optimize for color fidelity and accuracy in image capture.

You mention that the dimensions of the light table are 24" x 36" - in which case, it may not be feasible to fit our 4-ft T8 LED tube lights in the fixtures unless your light fixtures happen to be 48".

As you mention, our LED strip lights may be a great alternative option. While some additional assembly and wiring will be required, our ABSOLUTE SERIES D50 LED strip lights, or our FilmGrade 5600K LED strip lights could be installed into your current fixture and provide you with a nice improvement in color quality.

We unfortunately do not offer a sample kit for the ABSOLUTE SERIES LED strip lights. We do offer a free returns policy, however, so you may want to take advantage of that to test and compare the two products. All we ask is that you keep the LED strips in tact, including keeping the adhesive liner in place.

When evaluating the options for the Absolute LED series the linear modules 5 pack made the most sense for my application, both from a cost stand point and installation in the light table. The listing for the Absolute module 5 pack says they are individually packaged, but they are all on one board. There’s no way to properly compare the FilmGrade strip and the Absolute modules in the light table without separating the modules. Also there’s no information about how to separate the modules.

What should I do? I feel the Absolute linear module listing on the web site is misleading. From the listing I expected to get 5 separate Absolute modules. That would be easy to compare to the FilmGrade by putting two Absolute modules on each side within the light table and running the FilmGrade strip around the perimeter inside the light table. With the 5 modules on a single board it will be very difficult to get even lighting to compare to the FilmGrade strip.

The 5-pack of the ABSOLUTE SERIES are joined together along the long-edge, and can be separated by bending the modules along the score-line. They can be a bit difficult to separate, and may require a bit of force before they begin to loosen a bit.

The 5-pack modules are eligible for return even after they are separated into individual modules, so please feel free to proceed with the installation for testing. Should there be any need to return the modules, we would be more than happy to accept your return.

LED Grow Lights for under-cabinet and herbs and sprout seeds

I remodeled my kitchen and want perfect under-cabinet LED low profile strips but I want to grow herbs and sprout seeds on my kitchen counter, so am looking for full spectrum as close to daylight bright lighting. Which accessories do I choose of yours to build the perfect lighting in (4) 24” lengths and one 18” length? I have a dedicated switch on the wall to control them.

Based on the details provided, we can recommend our 5000K CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ LED Strip Lights for Commercial & Retail products. The 5000K light which is emitted by this product will be very similar to that of natural, bright daylight. 

To connect the individual LED strip light segments, we recommend the Solderless Connector for Single Color LED Strip products.

When this product is paired with the 12V TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip, it can be adjusted and controlled using a wall dimmer product.

Here is a LayoutMap which illustrates this configuration, which might prove to be useful.

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1B?px=-2321&py=-2245.5&pw=1642&ph=1491&s=0.1

We also offer the Aluminum Channel for LED Flex Strip products which can be used for easily mounting the LED strip lights. However, the lengths currently available may be too long for the LED strip light lengths that were described. As far as we can tell, one 16.4 ft reel of the LED strip lights, as well as one unit of the dimmable power supply, should be sufficient for your installation.

Difference between D50 and Centric Daylight

What is the difference between the D50 and the Centric Daylight?

While both the D50 and CENTRIC DAYLIGHT products offer a 5000K color temperature, the D50 products are calibrated to a specific ISO color point for color viewing applications. For more information, please see below:

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

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.

UV LED Strips Lights for Screen Printing

I am looking to build an exposure unit for screen printing. I am looking for strips of UV LED lights. I am not sure of the specs of the lights I need, but do you guys have any idea? Also, would I need a controller or anything from you guys for them?

We, unfortunately, don't have any official documentation or support for building a screen printing exposure unit, but we would be glad to offer suggestions and recommendations to the best of our ability.

We certainly have had customers successfully utilize our LED strip lights for screen printing applications. For example, here is a photo provided by one of our customers. Other product reviews on the product page may serve as an effective starting point or inspiration.

​It's a bit difficult to know "how much" UV is needed, as this can depend on a variety of factors such as the distance from the screen printing surface as well as the type of emulsion being used. If the emulsion material manufacturer has any discrete data on irradiance (typically expressed in mW/cm2) we may be able to provide additional guidance here.

While we do not have any test data on hand, we believe that 365 nm would be the superior choice given that it is a strong UV-A wavelength that should provide far more energy than 395 nm for curing and other photochemical processes. For further information, please reference our article comparing 365 nm to 395 nm.

The only essential components needed for the installation would be the LED strip reel itself, as well as a 12-volt power supply. The power supply can plug directly into the LED strip reel, and no controllers or any other equipment would be needed.

​If you were looking to build an array of LED strip lights, you may want to use our PN 3071 solderless connectors to join the cut LED strip sections. Our layout diagram along with product links can be found below:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/7021_4C

High CRI T8 LED Tube Lights for a Print Company

I am working for a print company and I am looking to switch out the old fluorescent T8 bulbs with LEDs. Around the press, it is important to have a light that is as close to daylight as possible so that the pressman can accurately gauge how the colors are coming out and make adjustments as needed. I am wondering what the best bulbs for this application would be. I am assuming that a bulb with a high CRI would be best but any ideas on what would work best would be appreciated. 

Our high CRI T8 LED lamps sound like a great fit for the application. You are absolutely right that high color rendering (CRI) would be very important in your installation in order to ensure that color appearances can be judged accurately against a daylight color standard.

Specifically, we find that most of our customers in printing industries strive to adhere to the ISO D50 standards, which defines a very particular color point for natural daylight calibrated to 5000K. Below is some additional information on D50 which you may find useful:

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

​Below is our T8 LED tube light product which is calibrated to the ISO D50 standard:

These lamps will fit in standard 4-ft fluorescent fixtures, and the fixtures do not require any further modifications as long as the fluorescent ballast is listed as a compatible product here.

Will I be able to double end direct wire these bulbs. We have been replacing the old fluorescent bulbs in the building with LED and have been going the direct wire route. I would prefer to keep these the same as all the others so there is no confusion if anything has to be changed. 

The lamps are indeed compatible with double-ended direct wire configurations. Furthermore, they can be used with both shunted and non-shunted tombstones, so we should be covered with whatever wiring configuration you already have in place. (We wholeheartedly agree that maintaining consistency across all of the fixtures is a great idea from a safety and maintenance perspective!)

​I've linked to our installation manual below, which includes instructions on permissible wiring configurations:

​https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/UM_4024.pdf

The ballast is quite old and is not listed on your compatible ballast list. I've attached a picture of the ballast in hopes that you could let me know if the bulbs will work with our setup. As well the fixture has safety starters for each bulb which I assume should be removed before the LEDs are put in, is that correct?

You are correct that the ballast is not listed on a compatible ballast list, and as such, unfortunately this would not be a permissible installation method and would void the warranty on the product.

You are also correct that the safety starters would need to be removed.

We completely understand the desire to go with a plug-and-play installation, and regret that we are unable to support use with the older fluorescent ballast model.

We would perhaps recommend rewiring a single fixture first to test out our lamps, and if you and your employees are happy with the light color, accuracy and brightness, proceed with the rewiring work for the remaining fixtures.

Do you have an E27 bulb with D50 and very high CRI 99?

I need a light with very high color reproduction for visual arts applications (slide reproduction = high quality 'scanning' with a DSLR camera). What would be your recommendation?

We would recommend our CENTRIC DAYLIGHT E27 5000K A19 lamp for your needs.

​The 5000K color temperature will meet the D50 chromaticity requirements and the lamp has a color rendering index of 95+.

Comparing the two '5000K Photometric Reports' I can't find any difference between the D50 5000K bulb and the centric daylight full spectrum bulb 5000K you mentioned. Are these two bulbs identic?

We do list our products on multiple product pages, and you are correct that the E27 CENTRIC DAYLIGHT 5000K is the same product as the E27 D50 product. You can confirm this via the part number indicated for both, which are 4007.50.

Is there no bulb version with E27 base 5000K D50 with Absolute Series LEDs CRI 99 available to get a substantial improvement in the reproduction of R12? Is such a bulb with Absolute Series LEDs and higher CRI under development?

Unfortunately, we do not have any lamp products with our ABSOLUTE SERIES LEDs at this time. You are absolutely right that this would allow us to see improvements across the board in terms of color rendering, including R12, and do hope to be able to offer this in the near future!

Do you have a D50 5000K and 4000K in 90+ CRI?

We are interested in your D50 5000K model 4026.2F.50 light fixture, T8 tubes model 4024.50.4P, or perhaps the Flexible Strip 7101.50 mounted to the aluminum channel and quite possibly a combination of all. Key is D50 5000K 90+ CRI. Also looking for something similar in 4000K

​The ABSOLUTE SERIES is not available in 4000K, but the T8 lamps and T5 integrated fixtures are available in 4000K. The part numbers are 4024.40 and 4026.2F.40, respectively.

We are concerned about UV and IR from the above lamps. I realize output in these regions would be low, but is there a way to quantify what level is considered damaging to artwork, photographs, documents, etc.

We do not have any data on hand for this, but I would expect that this can certainly be quantified in irradiance units (e.g. mw/cm2) accompanied by a wavelength range (e.g. UV-A), or 340-400 nm). If your customer has any specific requirements in terms of irradiance, that would be very helpful for us to verify compliance; if not, a starting point may be showing them our photometric reports which show essentially no energy emission in the UV and IR regions.

356 nm UV LED Strip Lights for Cyanotypes Application

I am trying to make a UV lightbox for making cyanotypes. I want to make a box that will print up to 16x20, Will 9 strips at 20" long spaced to fit the 16" wide box be enough to print cyanotype? That would be using your largest roll. 

Our UV LED strip lights sound like a great fit for the cyanotype application. Unfortunately, however, our experience and data on cyanotype exposure are limited, and we would not be able to provide any definitive answers about whether or not a certain amount of UV exposure would be sufficient for your needs. If you do have any data on UV exposure values (typically measured in mW/m2, for example) we would be more than happy to assist in calculating this for you.

On the other hand, if you have any previous experience with fluorescent UV bulbs, that may be a good starting point for estimation purposes. Our UV LED strip lights emit approximately the same amount of UV as a fluorescent bulb on a per-foot basis. Therefore, if we calculate out the 9 rows of 20 inches, that works out to approximately 15 feet, which would be around the same amount of UV output as four 4-foot lamps.

We see that you've settled on the 365 nm wavelength, which is most likely the most effective wavelength so that certainly sounds like a good choice.

ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Flexible Strip for Photographic System for Meat Product Image Analysis

We would like a set of lights with a more accurate representation of daylight, and ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Flexible Strip - 99 CRI seems the best option. We would like to mount it in a black box, so we need to standardize lumens in the whole box, without reflections, is it possible to use these LEDS flexing them in a circle of around 60 cm diameter? If not, we should go for the bulbs, in this case, which one of them would you recommend to us? 

Our ABSOLUTE SERIES LED strip lights indeed sound like a great fit, as they will indeed provide you with the most accurate representation of natural daylight.

​The one challenge I foresee with the product is that while it is flexible in an up/down direction, it cannot be made to curve in a left/right direction. As such, creating a circular design with the product would be quite challenging.

​If you can work with a polygonal shape that approximates a circle, such as a polygon with 8 sides or more, you may want to consider using the LED strips in short, straight runs joined together using a connector such as our PN 3071.

For similar lighting quality, we would perhaps suggest our NorthLux A19 lamps, which can be found at the link below:

About the power supply, since we are in Europe, so maybe is better if we buy a European plug, or do you have this option? I understand we need a 120W 12V 10A output. So the female barrel jack and one of the strip-to-strip connection is enough to make the connection, is it right?

You can certainly utilize a European version of the 12-volt power supply. As you mention, the primary requirements are electrical (120 watts, 12V/10A) and to ensure that the output plug is compatible with the ABSOLUTE SERIES LED strip light barrel jack DC connector (included on both ends).​Our North American version can also be used in Spain but will require a plug adapter for the wall outlet ​which you will need to purchase from a third party locally.

As mentioned above, the ABSOLUTE SERIES LED strip light includes the DC connector pre-installed on both ends of the reel. As such, PN 7094 is likely unnecessary.

PN 3071 is the correct accessory to join the cut sections back together at any angle needed.

Difference between NorthLux™ 95 CRI E26 A19 LED Bulb for Art & Studio and CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ Full Spectrum Flicker-Free A19 10W LED Bulb.

I'm intending to purchase 6500K lighting of either NorthLux™ 95 CRI E26 A19 LED Bulb for Art & Studio (4005.D65) or your CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ Full Spectrum Flicker-Free A19 10W LED Bulb (4005.65). Can you please provide clarification regarding what further differences exist between these two products?

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.​If you are looking for a color point that matches ISO standards, we would recommend the NorthLux / D50 product lines.

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.

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:

The 6500K products below are the same underlying product:

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 A19 bulbs for digitizing and photographing paintings and artwork?

I am a painter, and am considering using your NorthLux™ A19 bulbs to take photos of my artwork pieces to showcase on my website and other platforms. I am hopeful that these bulbs will reduce the amount of color correction needed post-capture. Are these the best bulbs for my needs?

Our NorthLux™ A19 lamps do indeed sound like a great option for your painting photography. These bulbs feature 95 CRI and daylight calibrated light output, which means they are perfect for image capture without any loss of color accuracy. Because the light source is fundamentally calibrated to full-spectrum daylight, there should not be any need for white balance or color correction adjustments.

The NorthLux™ A19 lamps are offered in 5000K and 6500K. Although both color temperatures can be considered to be daylight calibrated, 6500K will have a slightly blue hue in line with what you would see from a north-facing window, while 5000K will be more neutral, closer to direct sun. Here is an article going over some additional differences between the two color temperatures. Most camera systems will have a color balance calibration setting that allows for the subtle adjustments that may be needed between these two color points.

Alternatively, our FilmGrade™ 5600K A19 lamps may also be of interest. These lamps are calibrated to 5600K (and 95 CRI, of course), which is a mid-point color temperature between 5000K and 6500K. The 5600K color temperature is calibrated for use in photography, film and TV studios, but can be an equally effective and accurate light source for the purposes of digitizing artwork.

​The A19 / E26 form factor ensures that these lamps will fit in virtually all standard bulb fixtures, so this will give you lots of flexibility and room to try out different positions and orientations to get the optimal set up!

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:

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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