"Recommend me a lamp" Topic

In my advancing age, I'm trying to find better lighting than what I currently have. I currently have an small, old desklamp. It might be around a 15W incadescent.

I checked out Hobby Lobby, but didn't see exactly what I was looking for, plus I thought they were rather pricey.

I'm leaning towards some type of floor lamp so not to clutter up the desk space.

Ott Light… a flourescent light that puts out light in the natural wave spectrum. You can get them as a floor lamp too.
Office supply chains have them and probably Amazon:

ottlite.com

Second on the OTT light, best I've ever used. Got mine at Joann Fabrics in the sewing dept.

You can buy Ott-lite like bulbs that fit into standard sockets and save your self a few bucks too. I found aan Ott-lite knock off on clearance for $20 USD and I love it.

Ott all the way, keep a eye on the Joann or Michaels coupons, I got my for 40% off using one

link

Hmmm can anyone address these horrible complaints?

I like my Ott lamp but have to say that it is not very strong and I have to have it very close to my hands for the best light. I have since been using two standard desk lamps with 75w flouresent day light bulbs from philips there is very little differance in the light spectrum.

Flashy: I have no complaints, i have one that is @ 10 years old (actually 2) and they work like a charm. THey make it very easy to tell the color of single threads (very useful in sewing) and easier to match colors when painting. I find I can paint longer with an OTT light than an ordinary light.

Ott light many styles it is the way to go

I found a cheap one that bolts to the edge of my desk and I put a 100 watt bulb in it – tons of light.

My next purchase though as my sight is going – link

I don't have the floor lamp. I have a swing arm type that mounts on desks… The lamp works very well and provides natural or near natural light. Can't respond to the the link other than to say they aren't my model….

I purchased an Ott light, but as mentioned in a post above it was not very strong. It also seemed to restrict the lighting area more than I liked. Although that is probably because of the model I purchased. I later purchased two architect style table lamps. They provide a broader lighting area and you can get daylight bulbs for near natural light.

I have two gooseneck desk lamps, one from Ott, and the other with another brand of daylight-rated fluorescent in it. Light from two directions does seem to help. 150 watt equivalent total should be enough.

My Ott lite burned out, as described in the complaints Flashman linked to.

I use a clip on goose neck lamp, since that is best for my painting situation. I would like one with a longer neck than I have now.

electrix.com Specifically, link They will build you one that takes incandescent bulbs, and I use a full-spectrum artists' bulb.

I use an old floor lamp with a 60 watt bulb. It can take a more powerful bulb but I don't need such. It sits in such a way that it's light radiates over my shoulder. It can be a bit warm. In winter that's nice. In summer that's what airconditioning is for.

Use your desk lamp and get a 9 or 13 watt (Yes! A 9 or 13w will work..) LED flood light in the warm spectrum. They run about $20 USD at Costco.

I have one of those swing-arm desk lamps with an OTT Lamp Bulb in it. Plus two overhead lights. Works great for me.

Perhaps not the most helpful suggestion to the casual gamer, but as a professional I was willing to spend a lot on decent lighting for my workshop/studio, and managed to get some "full spectrum" fluorescent tubes from a hospital supplier that equips operating theatres, fantastic clarity and no significant eye strain even after eight hours at the workbench doing close work.

Wherever possible though go for natural light by a window.

I thought you were always supposed to paint under the same light you played under…

I have one of these and I'm really happy with it. It has a circular fluorescent tube and regular socket in the middle for an incandescent and together they make for some great light.

It's clamped to the side of my desk and using the handle I can easily pull it into position once I sit down so it's illuminating from right over my shoulder and minimizes shadows.

I couldn't find my original order but with a little googling I even found a better price than I paid ( US ).

link

Couple of things to consider.

The style of lamp and the type of bulb (light source) are two very different things. I use a very similar lamp style to what eatloaf suggested and wall mounted mine to save desk space, these are very handy and pacticle lamps.

Every one claims their lamps are daylight rated (ie simply means they dont have a tint one way or the other in regards to normal sunlights normal spectral range) but very few even come close, if your not concerned too much about this slight tinting (usually yellowish to blueish) try a few cheap bulbs of various types and see which gives the best viewing result when your at your bench.

I will recommend one brand which photographers know has very a very true spectral range and that is Solux, these bulbs are excellent, so much so many galleries use them. Should set you back about $20 USD if your in the US.

regards
dave