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Home /  Support Center /  Knowledge Base /  T5 linear fixtures /  Diffusion difference between T8 LED Tube, Shop Light, and T5 Linear Fixture

Diffusion difference between T8 LED Tube, Shop Light, and T5 Linear Fixture


I am a fine art photographer who is evaluating large prints that will ultimately be shown in museums and galleries and private residences. I'm having a difficult time understanding the differences between the NorthLux™ 95 CRI T8 LED Tube for Art & Studio in 5000k and the D50 5000K T8 LED Tube Lights for Color Matching. Is the light output different between these two options? I am not needing any sort of specific ISO spec, just looking for the best quality of light for the application. Also, I am curious about the differences in diffusion between the bare tube, the T5 linear light fixture, and the shop light. Is there any noticeable difference in the quality of light- ie more even diffusion from the linear or shop light? 

For starters, we can confirm that the 5000K NorthLux™ 95 CRI T8 LED Tube for Art & Studio and the D50 5000K T8 LED Tube Lights for Color Matching are identical products that are provided with unique landing pages for marketing purposes. As such, the performance can be expected to be identical across both items, though we do apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

Also, we're not sure that we can provide any applicable metrics or specifications on this, but it would seem to me that the diffusion performance of the T8 LED lamps would be best, followed by the T5 linear fixtures, and finally the shop light fixtures.

The reason for this is that the T8 lamps, by definition, have a 1-inch diameter and this allows for the light to spread out from a larger surface area compared to the T5 lamps, which have only a 5/8 inch diameter. The shop lights do not have any diffusers on them, and all light is directed downwards from the fixture. As such, if glare and "hotspots" are of concern, we would not recommend the shop lights for your installation.

​Compared to the T5 fixtures, the downside of the T8 lamps would be that you would need a separate fixture, but if you are looking for the softest, most diffuse light source, the T8 lamps would be our recommendation.


Question posted under:

T8 LED tube lightsT5 linear fixturesLED shop lights


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