Digital shmigital

[aad]

...nothing beats a good slide on a light table.

I don't mean to start another wearisome argument. I just got back some Provia F (shot with an SLR, so maybe I shouldn't get too far into it) and tossed them on the table, looked through the loupe-and had to go looking for my socks as they were knocked quite a ways. Happens every time.

I may scan a few in later -and see if it does justice. Screens are a poor substitute for looking at film directly.

 

[remrf]

I hear you. There is nothing quite like the impact of a good transparancy on a light table. Several years ago I worked with a professional photographer who shot mostly in 4x5" and 8x10" transparancy. We would get them back from the lab and lay them out on the light table. Pure eye candy.

A few months ago I got all of the pieces together to build a large ( 14x18") light table but I have not yet put it together. Soon. I've been using a light table at work to view my 4x5 and 120 format stuff but that is not always available .

 

[shaaktiman]

Hey remfr,

do you know where I could get a look at some plans to build a light table like that? Sounds like a fun project.

 

[remrf]

I don't know of a kit for a light table. By chance my father in law gave me two 18" flourescent fixtures years ago that happen to have the right lamps(i.e. the right kelvin rating) in them for a light table. I hunted around Tucson for a supplier and found the right type of translucent plastic sheet in 1/4" thickness. I have a fairly complete wood working shop and putting together a case is not a big deal to me. I scrounged some really good looking oak from a shipping pallet that I will use for the case.

The light fixtures and lamps are available online but they are kind of pricey in my opinion. I watch Ebay and see a nice 8x10" unit every now and then for about $30.00 as I recall. I've got 2/3rds of that in the plastic sheet I bought for the project.

 

[jano]

You could try some doctors in the area.. see if they have any old xray viewing boxes. My dad has a couple in the garage which I've "restored" to working condition (needed to be rewired and cleaned).

 

[RJBender]

Hey remfr,

do you know where I could get a look at some plans to build a light table like that? Sounds like a fun project.

Plans:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/14313/247/


R.J.

 

[remrf]

Hmmmmmm. I wonder if my wife would get upset if I built my light box into the dining room table...... 😀

The plans look really cool. However I am not sure that you need to use four of the light fixtures for the size indicated. The commercial unit I use at work is larger than the one shown and uses only two and is nice and bright across the entire surface with no hot or cool spots.

 

[aad]

Don't forget the importance of a decent loupe!

 

[RJBender]

Hmmmmmm. I wonder if my wife would get upset if I built my light box into the dining room table...... 😀

The plans look really cool. However I am not sure that you need to use four of the light fixtures for the size indicated. The commercial unit I use at work is larger than the one shown and uses only two and is nice and bright across the entire surface with no hot or cool spots.

Step 1: Buy her something like this:

source: http://www.bestcrystal.com/products/detail/index.cfm?Product=1020&Category=13

Step 2: Explain how much better it would look on the dining room table if it were lit from below.

Step 3: Get the circular saw.

Actually, you could probably remove a few leaves in the table and build it where the leaves go.

 

[remrf]

I like your thinking on this RJ.

 

[RJBender]

R.J.