ELC bulbs - what manufacturer makes the best for enlarging?

**Jeff Bannow** · 9-Oct-2012, 07:30

My notes indicate that my Ilford 500 head takes 2 ELC bulbs. But, what brand? I noticed that the different brands have different reflector styles on them.

I was planning on ordering from here: http://www.replacementlightbulbs.com/lampelc.htm

So, anyone have a favorite brand? Does it just not matter?

**Richard Wasserman** · 9-Oct-2012, 07:40

I don't know if it much matters. I have always used GE bulbs and have been satisfied and I would think that Osram and Phillips would be very good too. I personally would stay away from the Donar bulbs—who are they?

**Drew Wiley** · 9-Oct-2012, 08:48

Unquestionably Ushio, made in Japan. Phillips tends to make crap in China, and GE certainly
isn't what it used to be.

**ic-racer** · 9-Oct-2012, 11:35

The Osram and Donar smooth reflectors are ideal for DJ lighting.
The GE and Philips lamps with faceted reflectors are ideal for movie projection, photo processing, enlarging and fiber optic swimming pool applications.

quote from the website, so I'd go with the faceted.

However, I once tried about 5 different MR-16 bulbs of different wattages and reflector styles in my Minolta 6x7 diffusion enlarger. Some were brighter, when measured at the baseboard, than others. Might be worthwhile to check out both of them and see which works best with the Ilford diffusion box.

**Jeff Bannow** · 9-Oct-2012, 12:40

Originally Posted by ic-racer

quote from the website, so I'd go with the faceted.

However, I once tried about 5 different MR-16 bulbs of different wattages and reflector styles in my Minolta 6x7 diffusion enlarger. Some were brighter, when measured at the baseboard, than others. Might be worthwhile to check out both of them and see which works best with the Ilford diffusion box.

I assume that the diffusion box would remove any concern about bulb type and evenness of illumination on the baseboard?

**Drew Wiley** · 9-Oct-2012, 13:42

In a well designed diffusion box it wouldn't mak any difference regarding faceted
or non-faceted (I'm not guessing). What does come into play is the longevity of the bulb, good vs cheapo.

**Larry Gebhardt** · 9-Oct-2012, 19:35

I use the Ushio and they last very well. No issues.

If there are brightness differences between the brands you want to be sure to avoid mixing them. If you do it will throw off your contrast values. May not matter, but if your print recipe calls for grade 2.4 it may be off a bit after the brightness balance is changed.