Inexpensive
& efficient photographic lighting & more, made possible.…
© 2016 BOB SKIDMORE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
BOB SKIDMORE
CORRESPONDENT
In the age of smartphones, iPads and digital
photography, we’re always looking for ways to make our photographs and videos
look great without the need of color correction. All indoor or outdoor lighting
reproduces light of a specific color temperature. Outdoor lighting constantly
varies based on the time of day and sky condition. Over the counter bulbs are
available in many temperatures that are sometimes noted on the lamp. Photographic
reproduction wants to mimic the closest temperature that’s produced by daylight
(5000 to 6000 K) “Kelvin”, or indoor studio lighting at 2400 to 3500 K.
(TIP: The
age, condition and exposure to the elements can cause the color temperature to
change dramatically in a bulb.)
Digital photographic devices generally include some
form of artificial lighting feature commonly known as a strobe. Such lights
reproduce color temperatures close to ideal indoor or studio lighting. Since
indoor lighting does vary based on conditions, the strobe light attempts to
create a compromise. This works well for tight shots, but rapidly drops off
when shooting large areas when you consider the dispersion drop off and the mix
of various other lighting sources. If you are in your own environment where you
can select the lamps for your home, office or business you can very easily
rectify this condition.
Now, I’m not suggesting that readers should immediately
rush out and convert all the lighting in their home, office or place of
business. However, having some knowledge in advance of future purchases could
offer many benefits and cost savings. Photography is only one of many benefits.
Florescent tube lights are a very popular form of
lighting. They’re cheap, cool and typically offer long life. As they age the
color temperature will change considerably, they begin to flicker and the
required ballast, a/k/a a starter, in the lamp’s fixture wears out. This can be
an expensive repair. So what’s the state-of-the-art solution?
LED technology has been around for a while, however,
it’s now come of age. I recently interviewed the president of Vootu Coastal
Energy Solutions, a distributor of the Vootu line of LED lighting, bulbs and
tubes that are designed in Clearwater, Florida and produced overseas. I also
tested their LED direct replacements for the standard T-8 and T-12 florescent style
tubes. Here’s what I found. Vootu offers a 4´ LED Hybrid tube that works in
fixtures with or without an electronic ballast. 8´ non-hybrid versions are also
available. 8´ tubes do require the removal of the magnetic or electronic
ballast. This is a relatively quick and easy process. Installation and/or
modification requires knowledge of luminaires electrical systems. If not
qualified, do not attempt installation. Risk of fire or electric shock is a
possibility. Contact a qualified licensed electrician.
(TIP: Florescent fixtures commonly use a
magnetic (M), or electronic (E) ballast, a/k/a a starter. This device is used
to energize the gas in a florescent lamp. It is not needed with an LED
replacement since they’re not gas filled. Hybrid tubes will work with an
electronic ballast in the fixture, but presently 4´ LED tubes are only available
as hybrids. Ballasts of either type require periodic replacement. They are
costly, hard wired and somewhat clumsy to change out. A burning smell,
flickering, buzzing noise, or no light at all are symptoms of the need to
replace a ballast.)
The advantage of converting or replacing with LED
tubes include that they are very energy efficient, produce more illumination,
emit virtually no heat, offer around a 50% reduction in energy costs, lower
cooling costs and are available in 4000K and 5000K color temperatures that are
relaxing and perfect for photographic purposes. Vootu LED tubes operate at a
240 cycle frequency rate meaning there is virtually no possibility of
detectable flicker. They also do not create a buzz or hum sound with audio gear
or visible rolling hum bar with video displays, a common problem with fluorescents.
Since they use no mercury or gas and are plastic they are environmentally safe
to dispose of, which is not the case with fluorescents.
Vootu LED tubes are A+ quality and work well, not necessarily
the case with competitive products I’ve inspected. Vootu offers many different
styles of LED lighting, far too many for this article. The company supports
this product with no-cost consulting and energy audits. Since tombstones, the
name given to the bulb’s sockets, are universal, and the wide input voltage
range of the tube (100-277vac), these LED tubes will interface with most fixtures
worldwide.
LED lighting technology is the perfect answer to home, condo,
photographic studio and commercial applications. Wherever you need light,
LED’s could be the solution!
GADGETEER’s RATING: ★★★★★
Products are available for
USA & worldwide use directly from the manufacturer’s representative.
Contact: NL@VCEnergySolutions.com 727.430.2685
Graphic
credits: Vootu & Amazon
Bob Skidmore is a freelance
writer, who may be contacted at bob.thegadgeteer.skidmore@gmail.com, or followed at twitter.com/bskidmore for the latest gadget industry news. He does not represent,
or endorse any of the products he reviews and his opinions are solely his
points of view and not those of the manufacturer. The manufacturer generally
supplies products at no cost for the articles and no other compensation is
received. Installation of any products
is at the reader’s risk. When in doubt always hire a professional. THE GADGETEER is highly selective as to
products he feels worthy of review so as not to waste the reader’s time, thus
the reason for many superior ratings.
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