What sort of light is best for building?

[Blondie-Wan]

I’m in the process of putting together a LEGO room, and wondering what sort of light source is best - like, the actual light quality (characteristics) from different sorts of bulbs, etc. I want something that will let parts and builds look their best, and make it easy as possible for my aging eyes to distinguish similar colors from one another, yet hopefully not be too revealing of minor color variations in pieces ostensibly the same color, and of course not subject them to too much discoloring UV radiation. Any thoughts? Relevant expertise? Half-baked opinions?

[Peppermint_M]

White LED is very good for true colour. My build space is lit by a light that is a little on the yellow side, so I end up using my phone flash on flashlight mode to pull the right parts. 

 

[dr_spock]

I like daylight bulbs to help me separate black from dark blue. 

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

On 5/5/2019 at 9:09 PM, dr_spock said:

I like daylight bulbs to help me separate black from dark blue. 

I agree dark blue and dark brown are too close to black with the wrong light

[rodiziorobs]

Daylight LED bulbs are the way to go, IMO, for light quality. Incandescent can be good, but there is a lot of variation from type to type. They might be easier on your eyes if you're working for a long time--I notice sometimes the brightness of the daylights can cause a bit of eye strain if I spend hours poring over a project.

I would avoid fluorescents competely.

[Sven J]

I have two of these on my desk:

https://de.hama.com/00112297/hama-led-schreibtischlampe-sl-95-4-lichtmodi-timer-schwarz?bySearch=sl95

Not cheap, but really daylight quality (7000 K, but you can switch to lower color temperatures if you find this too straining) and very good color rendering, much better than the halogen desk lamps I used before.

[knotian]

I use whatever I have normally.

 

But when it comes to sorting colors I borrow a lamp made for fabric artists and quilters which has great temperature. Check a quilt shop or go on-line.

[Robianco]

On

[Blondie-Wan]

Do any of these light sources pose the same risk of discoloration the way actual sunlight does?

[Sven J]

On 5/25/2019 at 4:29 AM, Blondie-Wan said:

Do any of these light sources pose the same risk of discoloration the way actual sunlight does?

Good question.
But as I use these lamps for the building phase only, and not for permanent display, I think it really shouldn't matter much.

When it comes to lighting the whole room, not just the building desk, I strongly dislike LED lamps because of their (to my eyes, at least) strange color characteristics. So I continue to use strong 105W halogen bulbs and indirect illumination, which gives both brightness and a nice comfortable hue.
Unfortunately, production and distribution of these bulbs is now prohibited in the EU; but I still have almost 100 of them in stock...

Edited May 26, 2019 by Tenderlok

[rodiziorobs]

On 5/24/2019 at 8:29 PM, Blondie-Wan said:

Do any of these light sources pose the same risk of discoloration the way actual sunlight does?

I would suspect not; most of that damage comes from UV light, which daylight bulbs do not produce. The LEDs merely simulate the brightness and luminescence of sunlight.

[Blondie-Wan]

Good to know, thanks! I knew the sun’s UV rays were the main thing to avoid, but didn’t know whether most electric lights produce UV radiation as well.