Light Recommendation: 30x40 Vacuum Easel

[Peter York]

Hi all,

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post - please forgive me if this belongs elsewhere on the forum.

I was fortunate to come across a NuArc 30x40 vacuum easel in perfect working order. Now comes the "fun" part of building some sort of light source for alternative process printing. I have read numerous posts about lighting here and elsewhere, including Sandy King's article at unblinkingeye, but I am looking for some feedback on 2 options I am considering:

1. Right now, the unit is sitting next to a large, south-facing window (about 41" wide x 46" high) and my budget plan is to build a large box out of foam board, with polished aluminium on the inside, to rest on the unit, make contact with the window and capture sunlight. I'm concerned, though, about adequate/even illumination as well as repeatable results (important cost-wise when I eventually print large), and I'm wondering if you think this route might work or not? I live in Denver, which does have many days of clear, sunny skies.

2. Otherwise, I'm thinking that 1 or 2 1000w HID lamps is probably preferable and more economical than a bank of flourescent tubes, though I have not spec'd this out yet.

Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

Peter

[piticu]

you call 2x1000w economical? am i missing something here? 10 tubes will consume around 150-200w

[Loris Medici]

piticu, 13x 48" 40W UVBL tubes (OP will have to cover 30x40" remember?) + 13x electronic ballasts + fixing* + cabling* will take quite a lot of money. OTOH, 2x 1000W HID lamps + fixtures can be obtained for something like USD 300-400...

(*) Something that has to be outsourced if you aren't competent in carpentry and electric circuitry...

Therefore it seems like a trade-off between high initial costs / low running costs and low initial costs / high running costs...

Regards,
Loris.

[piticu]

i wasn't thinking at all about initial costs but running costs thanks for opeing my eyes. again.

[Peter York]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I do have some calculating to do w.r.t. setup and running costs.

Any feedback on the sunlight option? I'll probably give it a whirl just to see if it works but I'm wondering if anyone has experience with capturing sunlight through a window. Someone on another forum expressed doubt about using reflective surfaces because it might create hotspots w.r.t. even illumination.

Peter

[LincolnF]

The most significant problem with sunlight is it's variability due to season, latitude, time of day, cloud cover and humidity absorption. With a vacuum frame you wont have the luxury of checking for exposure as with a spring back frame. With alternate processes there is enough variability to drive one crazy without adding the uncertainty of exposure.

[Don Bryant]

The most significant problem with sunlight is it's variability due to season, latitude, time of day, cloud cover and humidity absorption. With a vacuum frame you wont have the luxury of checking for exposure as with a spring back frame. With alternate processes there is enough variability to drive one crazy without adding the uncertainty of exposure.

Printing by inspection is definitely "old school".

I don't see that it has much advantage if one is careful with their craft. As a matter of fact I've never indulged in the practice.

Don Bryant

[pschwart]

Printing by inspection is definitely "old school".

I don't see that it has much advantage if one is careful with their craft. As a matter of fact I've never indulged in the practice.

Don Bryant

I agree. Even when I print POP I use a predetermined base exposure and tweak after inspecting test prints.

[sanking]

I was fortunate to come across a NuArc 30x40 vacuum easel in perfect working order. Now comes the "fun" part of building some sort of light source for alternative process printing. I have read numerous posts about lighting here and elsewhere, including Sandy King's article at unblinkingeye, but I am looking for some feedback on 2 options I am considering:


Peter

Just for the record I have a 35"X45" NuaArc vacuum frame. I decided to use it with a bank of twelve (12) 48" BL tubes. Produces a total of 480 watts and with a fan in the side stays very cool.

Now if you could put it outside with a light integrator I think you would be very pleased.

Sandy King