Specifications
The Digital Fine Print Course
Viewing a Fine Print
Copyright Les Walkling 2012
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Solux Lamps
Light sources such as SOLUX 12 volt 50 watt lamps are manufactured to the highest
colour rendering specifications and are excellent for critically viewing photographic/inkjet
prints. The SOLUX 4700ºK spectrum largely encompasses the spectrum of a standard
monitor calibrated to 5000ºK. Therefore the monitor can be accurately calibrated to a
SOLUX 4700ºK lamp, resulting in a larger gamut of colours being accurately soft proofed
on the screen.
A standardised print viewing light setup is important for confirming the validity of the soft
proof. This needs to be carefully designed and installed to simulate the viewing conditions
under which the print will be publicly viewed/exhibited. As a general guide, a 4700ºK
SOLUX 24 degree lamp at a distance of 6 feet above and slightly behind the monitor will
illuminate a print beside the monitor with approximately 400 LUX of visually white light
.
This is within the luminance range of a standard monitor and the lighting geometry also
prevents the lamp from shining directly on the screen and lowering its dynamic range.
The soft proofing screen can then be calibrated and profiled to match the white point
(paper white), black point (DMax) and dynamic range (gamma curve) of the prints being
viewed under these conditions. Both CRT and LCD monitors can be calibrated to match
the white point, black point and colour gamut of prints viewed under a 4700º SOLUX lamp.
SOLUX lamps are available in different colour temperatures (3500ºK, 4100ºK, and
4700ºK) and beam angles (10˚, 17˚, 24˚, and 36˚). See < http://www.solux.net> for more
details, as well as research papers on visual perception, colour adaptation and viewing
light sources.
5000ºK CRT Monitor vs. 5000ºK LCD Monitor 5000ºK Fluor vs. 4700ºK Solux vs. 3200ºK