Kodak OC safelight filters

[Tin Can]

Okay, Randy, I'm going to try the red LED's you like. If they don't work, I'm building a catapult to fling Saltzman enlargers at your house!

Be quick about it. I'm moving and will be hard to target.

Do remember to test for yourself and maintain the normal 4 ft distance.

[MrFujicaman]

Well, I just couldn't wrap my head around the idea of $92 for a round Kodak safelight filter! It kills me that a Premier 10" by 12" safelight filter is only about $29 and the 5.5 inch Kodak is now nearly $100. For the price of one new OC filter I could buy 30 of these little LED bulbs!

[John Layton]

Funny thing...my old Thomas Duplex sodium vapor safelight flunked - even with the vanes closed - when I started using Ilford VC papers a few years back. And a really funny thing is what passed the test - the large type OC globe/bulb combos that come pretty cheap from B+H! With a bit of black tape over a couple of pinholes...Bob's your uncle!

[denverjims]

I use Ilford MG Classic mostly and matching up its spectral sensitivity curve & the Amber LED's curve (one recommended earlier in this post) it looks like you'd need to be pretty careful to minimize exposure with it. Ilford recommends a 580 cutoff and that bulb puts out energy a fair amount beyond it.

Not saying it couldn't be used but the red one looks to be a fair amount 'safer'.

Also tried to follow the link to the Kodak OC spectral curve given but it appears to be dead. Anyone have a current one?
Thanks, Jim

[John Layton]

Jim...the bulb I'm referring to is the Delta-1 OC-Amber. I've used a number of OC-Amber filters in the past...and when compared to them these particular bulbs are actually a bit on the red side - which is why I suspect that they are safe for Ilford multigrade papers. A recent B+H review from another person sounds similar to my experience with these bulbs.

I have not searched for a spectral curve on the Delta-1's - but I suspect that the factory tweaked them to work with VC papers.

I also suspect that your amber led's are more accurately "amber" than are my Delta-1 bulbs.

[Jerry Bodine]

...Also tried to follow the link to the Kodak OC spectral curve given but it appears to be dead. Anyone have a current one?...

Jim, try this pdf link. It's working for me:
http://motion.kodak.com/KodakGCG/upl...felight_OC.pdf

[denverjims]

Jim, try this pdf link. It's working for me:
http://motion.kodak.com/KodakGCG/upl...felight_OC.pdf

This link worked like a champ. Thanks, Jerry
Regards, Jim

[denverjims]

Jim...the bulb I'm referring to is the Delta-1 OC-Amber.

John, apologies for my not being specific. I was referring to the amber one pointed to in Eric's post in this thread (#5). I'll look into the Delta-1 OC.
Regards, Jim

[MrFujicaman]

Okay, Randy, so far I'm sold. My shipment of 4 of the tiny ones came in today. I played around with them in the darkroom and for only being 2 watts they are very bright. I stuck them in some Kodak "Beehive" safelights without filters and 5 X 7 safelight-again with no filter and they really light the place up. I bought 4 of the Superbrite bulbs and I found a Home Depot one I'd bought and misplaced last year. I might bounce it off the ceiling as you recommend. Soon as the darkroom is up and running, I'll run some tests.

[Tin Can]

Okay, Randy, so far I'm sold. My shipment of 4 of the tiny ones came in today. I played around with them in the darkroom and for only being 2 watts they are very bright. I stuck them in some Kodak "Beehive" safelights without filters and 5 X 7 safelight-again with no filter and they really light the place up. I bought 4 of the Superbrite bulbs and I found a Home Depot one I'd bought and misplaced last year. I might bounce it off the ceiling as you recommend. Soon as the darkroom is up and running, I'll run some tests.

Do not use the the Home Depot bulb. I tried it. No good.

Do bounce these off the walls.

Do use red only, not amber.

I also use Beehives, no filter.