Digital BW, The Print

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>Solux create their own color universe; no other artificial light source produces
>results similar to them. On the other hand, professional proofing booths and
>light boxes produce results very similar to Ott-Lites, both being multi-phosphor
>fluorescents. So if your goal is to be seeing what other proofing lights show,
>an Ott-Lite isn't a bad low cost choice. Multi-phosphor fluorescents also use
>much less energy, last far longer, and retain their color accuracy much longer
>than Solux bulbs, as well as reducing the possibilities of burns, and not
>overheating your studio. Solux really need to be switched on quickly for a print
>check, then turned off again, due to heat as well as fairly rapid color change
>over time. Multi-phosphor fluorescents can be run 24/7 with little energy use,
>little heat buildup, and little change over time. So these other factors should be
>considered when choosing a light source.

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Dear David

I agree that if you are producing output for commercial printing then 
there is some sense in using a decent proofing booth that meets approved 
standards, however I would imagine that most members of this list are 
more interested in viewing their prints without the interference of 
spikes.  I suggest a look at this paper would confirm the validity of a 
careful selection of lighting for the assessment of prints. 
<http://www.babelcolor.com/download/Light_under_control_2005-11-08.pdf>

I'm sure that most members will have taken their prints to where they 
can evaluate them under real daylight when making critical colour 
correction decisions, because under spiky lighting it is not possible to 
do this effectively.

Cheers

Richard
-- 
Richard Kenward      <www.artisan-digital-services.co.uk>
phone +44(0)1873 890456
fax +44(0)1873 890565