Is neon light a problem
 

Fabio BERETTA wrote:

I am finally decided and started building the darkroom in my laundry.

During a light-tight check I have noticed that the neon tubes that I use
for the illumination of the room is still visible for a while even
without power.

Can this cause fogging of the paper? If this is the case I shuould find
the way to cover them during darkroom use.

My rule is if you can see it....

Neon tubes, like florescent lighting, will glow after turning off the power
due to the charged particles in the gases. I'd probably be more worried
about it fogging film than paper, but it likely depends on how close you
are to the light source or how large the light source is. Florescent tubes
can emit light for as long as 10 minutes after turning off so I'd be
cautious. Tungsten is a better choice for darkroom lighting.

I'd never load or unload film in proximity to tube lighting, but for paper
you could do a simple fog test just like you would to check and see if your
safelight is too bright -- take a test strip and put some coins or other
solid objects on the paper emulsion and leave it in the afterglow for 10
minutes, or about as long as it takes you to exposue and develop a typical
print.

Is neon light a problem
 

"Francis A. Miniter" wrote:

Gary Beasley wrote:

On Tue, 27 Jan 2004 21:11:24 GMT, Fabio BERETTA
wrote:

I am finally decided and started building the darkroom in my laundry.

During a light-tight check I have noticed that the neon tubes that I use
for the illumination of the room is still visible for a while even
without power.

Can this cause fogging of the paper? If this is the case I shuould find
the way to cover them during darkroom use.

TY
Fabio BERETTA
Lecco - ITALY

It's not likely to be a problem but to be on the safe side as well as
a safelight have a small tungsten white light for inspection near the
sink and don't use the flourescents until the printing session is
over. Allow about five minutes of lights out before opening any film
in the darkroom too.


I think that your suggestion is overly conservative. While a wait of a
few seconds (maybe 15 or so) after a fluorescent light goes out may be
in order, no more is needed.

More like 15 minutes...

I have an under cabinet fluorescent light
above a work area and I have never fogged any negatives. I also have
incandescent lights for general lighting of the room.

What quantitative test have you used to check and see if whether the film has
been fogged or not?

Remember, when you expose the film in the camera, if it is pitch black
outside, the film records nothing. So, if it is pitch black in the
darkroom, you can expect the same. If you are worried about light waves
beyond what the eye can see, it is probably beyond what the film can
see, unless it is an infrared film or high red sensitivity film.

Actually, neon has a tendency to escape the tube. This is evident if you've
ever photographed neon. You will not see it floating around with the eye, but
the film does record it. This has happened to me a number of times. So, I
would be concerned about charged neon gases, not just the light fixture.
Frankly, I'd get rid of the neon and replace it with tungsten lighting.

Is neon light a problem
 

I am finally decided and started building the darkroom in my laundry.

During a light-tight check I have noticed that the neon tubes that I use
for the illumination of the room is still visible for a while even
without power.

Can this cause fogging of the paper? If this is the case I shuould find
the way to cover them during darkroom use.

TY
Fabio BERETTA
Lecco - ITALY

Is neon light a problem
 

On Tue, 27 Jan 2004 21:11:24 GMT, Fabio BERETTA
wrote:

I am finally decided and started building the darkroom in my laundry.

During a light-tight check I have noticed that the neon tubes that I use
for the illumination of the room is still visible for a while even
without power.

Can this cause fogging of the paper? If this is the case I shuould find
the way to cover them during darkroom use.

TY
Fabio BERETTA
Lecco - ITALY

It's not likely to be a problem but to be on the safe side as well as
a safelight have a small tungsten white light for inspection near the
sink and don't use the flourescents until the printing session is
over. Allow about five minutes of lights out before opening any film
in the darkroom too.

Is neon light a problem
 

Gary Beasley wrote:

On Tue, 27 Jan 2004 21:11:24 GMT, Fabio BERETTA
wrote:



I am finally decided and started building the darkroom in my laundry.

During a light-tight check I have noticed that the neon tubes that I use
for the illumination of the room is still visible for a while even
without power.

Can this cause fogging of the paper? If this is the case I shuould find
the way to cover them during darkroom use.

TY
Fabio BERETTA
Lecco - ITALY



It's not likely to be a problem but to be on the safe side as well as
a safelight have a small tungsten white light for inspection near the
sink and don't use the flourescents until the printing session is
over. Allow about five minutes of lights out before opening any film
in the darkroom too.


I think that your suggestion is overly conservative. While a wait of a
few seconds (maybe 15 or so) after a fluorescent light goes out may be
in order, no more is needed. I have an under cabinet fluorescent light
above a work area and I have never fogged any negatives. I also have
incandescent lights for general lighting of the room.

Remember, when you expose the film in the camera, if it is pitch black
outside, the film records nothing. So, if it is pitch black in the
darkroom, you can expect the same. If you are worried about light waves
beyond what the eye can see, it is probably beyond what the film can
see, unless it is an infrared film or high red sensitivity film.


Francis A. Miniter

Is neon light a problem
 

On Tue, 27 Jan 2004 17:07:06 -0500, "Francis A. Miniter"
wrote:

Gary Beasley wrote:

On Tue, 27 Jan 2004 21:11:24 GMT, Fabio BERETTA
wrote:



I am finally decided and started building the darkroom in my laundry.

During a light-tight check I have noticed that the neon tubes that I use
for the illumination of the room is still visible for a while even
without power.

Can this cause fogging of the paper? If this is the case I shuould find
the way to cover them during darkroom use.

TY
Fabio BERETTA
Lecco - ITALY



It's not likely to be a problem but to be on the safe side as well as
a safelight have a small tungsten white light for inspection near the
sink and don't use the flourescents until the printing session is
over. Allow about five minutes of lights out before opening any film
in the darkroom too.


I think that your suggestion is overly conservative. While a wait of a
few seconds (maybe 15 or so) after a fluorescent light goes out may be
in order, no more is needed. I have an under cabinet fluorescent light
above a work area and I have never fogged any negatives. I also have
incandescent lights for general lighting of the room.

Remember, when you expose the film in the camera, if it is pitch black
outside, the film records nothing. So, if it is pitch black in the
darkroom, you can expect the same. If you are worried about light waves
beyond what the eye can see, it is probably beyond what the film can
see, unless it is an infrared film or high red sensitivity film.


Francis A. Miniter

Well, he's talking about an afterglow from the flourescents, which
while dim can dull the highlights of fast paper. I'd rather be overly
cautious, print paper is not that cheap and exposed film even more
precious.

Is neon light a problem
 

In article , Fabio BERETTA
wrote:

I am finally decided and started building the darkroom in my laundry.

During a light-tight check I have noticed that the neon tubes that I use
for the illumination of the room is still visible for a while even
without power.

Can this cause fogging of the paper? If this is the case I shuould find
the way to cover them during darkroom use.

Try it and find out. How simple can that be?

Is neon light a problem
 

In article , jjs
wrote:

Can this cause fogging of the paper? If this is the case I shuould find
the way to cover them during darkroom use.

Can and does. I learned that the hard way many years ago. I tested,
and it was indeed 10 or more minutes to be completely safe for film and
paper. This was four 36" tubes in a 6' X9' room

I eventually put a guard over the switch to the flourescents and
installed some recessed incandescent lights. The (much brighter)
flourescent built-ins were only used for cleaning up afterwards.

Is neon light a problem
 

"Francis A. Miniter" wrote:

Tom Phillips wrote:

"Francis A. Miniter" wrote:

Gary Beasley wrote:

snip

I have an under cabinet fluorescent light
above a work area and I have never fogged any negatives. I also have
incandescent lights for general lighting of the room.

What quantitative test have you used to check and see if whether the film has
been fogged or not?

snip


I have a transmission densitometer (Beseler) with which I check film
base plus fog densities and I have not seen any that are outside of the
expected range.

Just wondering. I use florescent in my work area, a ceiling fixture with 2 tubes.
I always remove them before loading or unloading film so there's never been a
need for me to test for fog. They fluoresce (brightly) too long after turning off
to wait and it's easier to pop them out than risk fog.

Is neon light a problem
 

Tom Phillips wrote:

"Francis A. Miniter" wrote:



Gary Beasley wrote:



snip


I have an under cabinet fluorescent light
above a work area and I have never fogged any negatives. I also have
incandescent lights for general lighting of the room.



What quantitative test have you used to check and see if whether the film has
been fogged or not?

snip


I have a transmission densitometer (Beseler) with which I check film
base plus fog densities and I have not seen any that are outside of the
expected range.


Francis A. Miniter