Digital BW, The Print

Brian,

The answer (in my opinion) depends on what you are trying to achieve.
 If you want to go with an industry standard so your lights match what
your local commercial printer is using, you are better off with a
viewing booth, or using lights that approach the D50 standard.  Solux
sells bayonet mount lights that are the closest I have found to D50.  

http://www.solux.net/cgi-bin/tlistore/infopages/color-proofing.html

Also, Philips sells some fluorescent bulbs that are very good.  
http://www.bulbs.com/eSpec.aspx?ID=9361&Ref=Light+Bulbs&RefId=14

GTI and others make viewing booths, but they are generally pretty
expensive.  

Solux and others also make lights that are or a warmer temperature
than D50, but not as warm as incandescent, which are often used in
galleries, museums, etc.  

For my personal usage, I used the Solux 4700K bulbs in a Solux light
fixture, and also the Philips TL950 series fluorescent tubs(in a
standard fluorescent fixture that I bought at Home Depot).  

One of the most important considerations in proofing is adjusting the
light source so that a sheet of white paper displays approximately as
bright under the light, as does a white document displayed on your
monitor in Photoshop.  

Lou


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Brian Corll"
<briancorll@...> wrote:
>
> General question: If you use special lighting for viewing your prints,
> what's your preferred light ? I'm thinking of getting/making
something but
> there are so many choices. What is everyone else using, if anything ?