UV Light source for alternative processes

[ruilourosa]

Hello, having rebuilt a cls 300 head with some 100 w leds i wonder if i could build a UV light source for alternative processes with these lights: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-Watt-Ultra-Violet-UV-High-Power-LED-100W-Energy-Saving-Light-Bulb-Lamp-DIY-/230767416181?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35bacf5375

And enlarging? would it be possible???? on salted paper or albumen?


Thanks


Rui Lourosa

[ruilourosa]

No one has tryed???

[Eric Biggerstaff]

I just created an UV LED light box based on the LED panel as shown in the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLia59KfkSw

And these LED lights:

http://www.amazon.com/Joygo-5050-Waterproof-Ultraviolet-Fishing/dp/B00NXDYMKU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1432214190&sr=8-2&keywords=uv+led+strip

It was just completed last night and will be tested today. I made the box large enough to handle a 16X20 print frame. Once tested and if successful, I will post pictures and details on the forum. Likely this weekend.

The total cost of the project was less than $150 US which makes the project affordable. The thing about the LED lights is they run cool, don't need complex electronic, no ballast and the lights are rated for 50,000 hours of continuous use so I will not need to worry about them burning out in my lifetime.

Give me a little time and I will post pics.

[Erik Larsen]

That looks interesting Eric, looking forward to you results

[Jim Noel]

Hello, having rebuilt a cls 300 head with some 100 w leds i wonder if i could build a UV light source for alternative processes with these lights: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-Watt-Ultra-Violet-UV-High-Power-LED-100W-Energy-Saving-Light-Bulb-Lamp-DIY-/230767416181?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35bacf5375

And enlarging? would it be possible???? on salted paper or albumen?


Thanks


Rui Lourosa

Congratulations on the rebuild, but enlarging on salted paper, albumen or any other UV process, no. That is unless you want to invest thousands in a quartz lens. A glass lens will filter out the UV.

[Ron McElroy]

And enlarging? would it be possible???? on salted paper or albumen?


My big question on enlarging with a high UV lightsource is how do you safely focus and work with the light?

[Tin Can]

I just created an UV LED light box based on the LED panel as shown in the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLia59KfkSw

And these LED lights:

http://www.amazon.com/Joygo-5050-Waterproof-Ultraviolet-Fishing/dp/B00NXDYMKU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1432214190&sr=8-2&keywords=uv+led+strip

It was just completed last night and will be tested today. I made the box large enough to handle a 16X20 print frame. Once tested and if successful, I will post pictures and details on the forum. Likely this weekend.

The total cost of the project was less than $150 US which makes the project affordable. The thing about the LED lights is they run cool, don't need complex electronic, no ballast and the lights are rated for 50,000 hours of continuous use so I will not need to worry about them burning out in my lifetime.

Give me a little time and I will post pics.

How did this work out? I am worried the cheap LED's use paint/dye/filter to produce the UV spectrum 370 NM ideal?

[SMBooth]

Randy, i used the UV LED in 5 metre strip you get on Eb@y and it works fine. Mine has 300 LED per 5 m so thats about 16 mm centre to centre LED and I space each strip 16 mm apart. Getting 6 - 12 min depending on negative and process (Kallitype / Carbon)

[Tin Can]

Randy, i used the UV LED in 5 metre strip you get on Eb@y and it works fine. Mine has 300 LED per 5 m so thats about 16 mm centre to centre LED and I space each strip 16 mm apart. Getting 6 - 12 min depending on negative and process (Kallitype / Carbon)

Thank you

[Jim Noel]

Hello, having rebuilt a cls 300 head with some 100 w leds i wonder if i could build a UV light source for alternative processes with these lights: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-Watt-Ultra-Violet-UV-High-Power-LED-100W-Energy-Saving-Light-Bulb-Lamp-DIY-/230767416181?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35bacf5375

And enlarging? would it be possible???? on salted paper or albumen?


Thanks


Rui Lourosa

Enlarging to Salted paper, albumen or any other UV process might be possible, but exposures would be extremely long, possibly in the hours range. Glass absorbs UV and there is a lot of glss to pass through in an enlarging lens. It would be possible if you want to buy a $20,000+ quartz lens.

[John Jarosz]

I assume there is no diffuser with the UV LED's. What distance from the LED to the negative is used to arrive at those 'typical' printing times.

Thanks

[Eric Biggerstaff]

I have been VERY pleased with the UV LED box I built. The prints are lovely and the time for my negs is 12.5 minutes which is fine. Had I used three rolls of LED and placed them very close together I might have been able to shave a few minutes off that time. I used the underwater type of UV LED strip which are protected by a clear rubber coating but I am not sure that is needed. I had a thread on building the box that I posted which may help answer questions. All in all, it was an inexpensive project and turned out to be just what I needed.

[Eric Biggerstaff]

Here is the thread:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?122508-LED-UV-Light-Box-Build-Your-Own-for-Under-150&highlight=Eric+Biggerstaff

[Tin Can]

Thanks for the reply Eric. That's good news.

I found a great LED source on eBay and will build a copy of your design. However I will use non-waterproof. I chose a high volume seller and his record is good. I spent a couple hours examining his LED offerings and learned a lot.

I will be placing an order soon for your recommended UV LED type and other LED's for darkroom/studio projects. All very affordable.







I have been VERY pleased with the UV LED box I built. The prints are lovely and the time for my negs is 12.5 minutes which is fine. Had I used three rolls of LED and placed them very close together I might have been able to shave a few minutes off that time. I used the underwater type of UV LED strip which are protected by a clear rubber coating but I am not sure that is needed. I had a thread on building the box that I posted which may help answer questions. All in all, it was an inexpensive project and turned out to be just what I needed.