What Light Bulb Should I Get?

[PithyProlix]

I've just ordered a desk lamp like the one below and I need to buy a light bulb. This is for my desk, where I do all my writing, frequently read (paper, not display - my computer is elsewhere), occasionally tinker with my pens, and infrequently take photos. So I mostly want to see the colors of my inks well but also be able to read well without eye strain. My desk is directly in front of a north-facing window and I generally use natural light during the day.

I don't know much about current lighting technology but, looking at some pages about lighting art studios, it seems like I should get a bulb with a color temperature around 5000K, or maybe a little higher as a compromise for reading (?), and a CRI of at least 80 - higher is better. Does all this seem right?

I am thinking about a dimmable bulb (I'll just change out the lamp's switch for a dimming switch) but I'm not sure.

Suggestions about lighting and recommendations for specific bulbs, please?

Edited October 25, 2020 by PithyProlix

[pearlfox]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_temperature

 

[Karmachanic]

I use OSRAM mini twist 6500k in a larger angle lamp. I turn the bulb upwards and bounce the light off the ceiling for a softer even spread. Using this type of bulb after 7pm is not a good practice as it will upset your circadian rhythm.

 

AMZ link

https://tinyurl.com/y34w7l5x

 

If you can't find Osram search "full spectrum bulb", or "daylight bulb".

Edited October 25, 2020 by Karmachanic

[PithyProlix]

I use OSRAM mini twist 6500k in a larger angle lamp. I turn the bulb upwards and bounce the light off the ceiling for a softer even spread. Using this type of bulb after 7pm is not a good practice as it will upset your circadian rhythm.

 

AMZ link

https://tinyurl.com/y34w7l5x

 

If you can't find Osram search "full spectrum bulb", or "daylight bulb".

 

Thanks for the input. Is there a reason to go with CFL over LED? One of the reasons I ask is because not infrequently I detect an annoying pulse/flicker with some CFL bulbs.

[RJS]

My desk lamp can cycle between 2500-6500. I tend to use it at around the 4000 mark. I detest lightbulbs that show light at 6500- it's common in Asia and I hate it. Given the choice of cold or warm (2500) I'd pick a warm bulb any day, but mid ground is pleasant for reading and writing, I find.

[PithyProlix]

My desk lamp can cycle between 2500-6500. I tend to use it at around the 4000 mark. I detest lightbulbs that show light at 6500- it's common in Asia and I hate it. Given the choice of cold or warm (2500) I'd pick a warm bulb any day, but mid ground is pleasant for reading and writing, I find.

 

Which desk lamp do you have?

[RJS]

 

Which desk lamp do you have?

I bought it from a lighting store, but it looks very much like this one: https://www.google.co.uk/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwiqitjMxs_sAhVY4O0KHeU_CioYABAGGgJkZw&sig=AOD64_2veI3LvTiF2iMLtfy5wG76OTC09w&adurl&ctype=5&ved=2ahUKEwiEr8zMxs_sAhVX4oUKHfk2B9oQwg96BAgBEB8 The only visual difference seems to be that mine has a remote control.

[Karmachanic]

I pick daylight spectrum 7am - 7pm, and warm light in the evening . Particularly during daylight deficient, dreary UK winter

[PithyProlix]

I bought it from a lighting store, but it looks very much like this one: https://www.google.co.uk/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwiqitjMxs_sAhVY4O0KHeU_CioYABAGGgJkZw&sig=AOD64_2veI3LvTiF2iMLtfy5wG76OTC09w&adurl&ctype=5&ved=2ahUKEwiEr8zMxs_sAhVX4oUKHfk2B9oQwg96BAgBEB8 The only visual difference seems to be that mine has a remote control.

 

Intriguing. Maybe I will get something like that and use the cheapo desk lamp I ordered elsewhere.

 

Thanks for finding that for me.

[Monophoto]

 

Thanks for the input. Is there a reason to go with CFL over LED? One of the reasons I ask is because not infrequently I detect an annoying pulse/flicker with some CFL bulbs.

I suggest LED. CFL was a transitional technology that filled the gap between incandescent and LED technologies. It is going to become less common in the future. Also, LED technology is more energy efficient and lasts longer than CFL.

 

There is also an argument against CFL on the basis that they contain a minute amount of mercury, but I consider that to be a rather specious argument put forward by the Luddite crowd who were resisting the demise of incandescent lamps.

 

As to color temperature - that's complicated. Higher color temperatures do create the perception of greater brightness, but as others have noted, high color temperatures can interfere with the body's natural sleep cycle and should be avoided in the evening. But as a practical matter, the selection of lamps offered in most hardware and general purpose shops tend to not go above about 5000deg, so it would be difficult to actually find a lamp closer to the high end of the spectrum.

 

My preference is for something in the 3500-5000deg range. That seems to be the best for color rendition.

[PithyProlix]

I will look some more but I am currently thinking something like this might work best for the space I have. This particular one can be set to 3000k, 4000k, or 6500k, has 10 different brightness levels, and CRI greater than 80.

 

[fabri00]

Around 4000k is my preferred light.

[inkstainedruth]

 

Thanks for the input. Is there a reason to go with CFL over LED? One of the reasons I ask is because not infrequently I detect an annoying pulse/flicker with some CFL bulbs.

If you have issues with flicker (my husband does too) you DEFINITELY want an LED bulb. Plus, while they are more expensive than incandescent bulbs (and I've had mixed luck with the 3-way LED bulbs), the price has come down a lot in the last couple of years. And they last WAY longer (so, you're saving money by not having to get replacements nearly as often, not to mention time, wear and tear on your car, etc.) in getting the other type.

It's really easy to look at the packaging for LED lights to see what wattage you're replacing with them, and IMO the light is brighter.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[seimodern]

I will +1 LED!

This may not be helpful since you already have the lamp, but I bought two of these Taotronics lamps and love them. I actually use two over my workspace, but one is quite luminous on its own. There are a lot of baaddd led lamps out there,but these lamps have been absolutely fabulous. Heavy base so that it stays put, with 5 warmth settings between 2700 and 6500. There are different Taotronics models that look similar but with more or less variations and more or less luminosity (lux, I think is the term,but lighting choices have become so complicated!) One of the reasons I chose these and love them is they are not dim. I had bought other led lamps and they just weren't bright enough. This one rivals and perhaps outpaces my older bright incandescents.

 

The ones I have run about 60 to 70$usd on amazon but led bulbs on there own can be quite expensive so I think it repays the cost.

 

I have both the gray and gold and both look decent, but I prefer the gold. These are built in lights, so the plus is no need to buy bulbs (they are supposed to last 10 years.... I am on year 2 or 3 with constant daily use and they still run perfectly). The downside is that when the lights die so does the lamp. I can't attest to 10+ years, but at year 3ish, they are still going strong.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EJJDD10/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_n9CLFbX88CFBR

[seimodern]

And I will also +1 4000. The five lighting settings on the Taotronics don't identify the precise temp but it indicate the range is 2700 to 6500 and the setting I prefer would suggest 4000. If you get 2 you can also mix temperatures...which sounds like it must be unpleasant but it is actually quite nice...

[Karmachanic]

There is also an argument against CFL on the basis that they contain a minute amount of mercury, but I consider that to be a rather specious argument put forward by the Luddite crowd who were resisting the demise of incandescent lamps.

 

 

Someone forgot to tell the EPA:

https://www.epa.gov/cfl/recycling-and-disposal-cfls-and-other-bulbs-contain-mercury

 

6500k bulbs are readily available; Edison and strip. Essential for video/film/photography colour grading, colour matching, colour proofing for print, and colour viewing stations. Any area where crucial colour assessment/matching is required.

Edited October 25, 2020 by Karmachanic

[Astronymus]

Cold light is never good at home. Daylight is good for colors, but causes eye strain and is bad for the biorythm in the evening. During later hours warmer light would be better.

 

In theory 2 lamps would be perfect. But who does that?

 

They should make lamps with different color temperatures changing by time. Or a filter...

Edited October 26, 2020 by Astron

[kestrel]

 

Thanks for the input. Is there a reason to go with CFL over LED? One of the reasons I ask is because not infrequently I detect an annoying pulse/flicker with some CFL bulbs.

CFL lamps also emit UV light that can cause fading and deterioration in things like wallpaper and any art work around. Try leaving a newspaper under a fluorescent lamp for a week or two and you will see a very noticeable yellowing of the paper. Writing paper, books, book bindings, posters, and school spirit ribbons in my classroom all changed color and/or faded under the standard fluorescent lighting we used. I don't know if it will do anything to vintage HR pens.

[PithyProlix]

@everyone Thank you very much for your input. It is helpful!

I was thinking LED from the beginning but a CFL was mentioned so I was curious if it had any advantages.

 

I will +1 LED!
This may not be helpful since you already have the lamp, but I bought two of these Taotronics lamps and love them. I actually use two over my workspace, but one is quite luminous on its own. There are a lot of baaddd led lamps out there,but these lamps have been absolutely fabulous. Heavy base so that it stays put, with 5 warmth settings between 2700 and 6500. There are different Taotronics models that look similar but with more or less variations and more or less luminosity (lux, I think is the term,but lighting choices have become so complicated!) One of the reasons I chose these and love them is they are not dim. I had bought other led lamps and they just weren't bright enough. This one rivals and perhaps outpaces my older bright incandescents.

The ones I have run about 60 to 70$usd on amazon but led bulbs on there own can be quite expensive so I think it repays the cost.

I have both the gray and gold and both look decent, but I prefer the gold. These are built in lights, so the plus is no need to buy bulbs (they are supposed to last 10 years.... I am on year 2 or 3 with constant daily use and they still run perfectly). The downside is that when the lights die so does the lamp. I can't attest to 10+ years, but at year 3ish, they are still going strong.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EJJDD10/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_n9CLFbX88CFBR

 

The cheapo lamp I referred to and pictured in my original post is going to be returned.

Yes - I saw the Taotronics lamps on Amazon - they seem great. I was also concerned about the brightness of others I have seen for sale online. Taotronics audio products are available here in Thailand but oddly enough their lighting products are not. I'm trying to find something like the Taotronics on our local version of Amazon - Lazada - and Aliexpress. The number of choices is dizzying ...

Edited October 26, 2020 by PithyProlix

[PithyProlix]

FYI - I ordered this. 12 watt LED panel with 5 color temperature modes and 7 levels of brightness, just like the TaoTronics model that seimodern linked to, which is the Amazon's best-selling desk lamp. The panel is shaped differently - shorter and wider - so it's not exactly the same. That said, I suspect the only difference is how the LEDs are configured on the panel but, otherwise, the same, with the same controller. This one has a much simpler stand - just a bendable gooseneck. I asked the seller about the color rendering index (CRI) - they claim it is greater than 80, which is good, not great. About $23 USD total including shipping to Thailand.

I looked *a lot*. For anyone else who wants to buy an LED desk lamp without seeing it in operation I highly recommend checking the out the LED panel wattage. There are a lot of sexy looking lamps with a lot of functions at low prices but I can't imagine that the 5-6w (or less) LED panels they come with can put out very bright light. seimodern's TaoTronics model on Amazon is $40, comes with a 30 month warranty, a much better looking stand, and, from what I can tell from my hours of obsessive online shopping, it looks to be the best deal. On Aliexpress I would have ordered this one - which has a higher wattage panel and claims to have CRI greater than 90 - if my budget was more like $50 USD.

 

Thanks again for all the input!

 

Edited October 26, 2020 by PithyProlix