Color rendition beamshots: incan, GD, Rebel, Nichia 083, Seoul high CRI, and Cree 5A

mudman cj

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Hi folks,
I just finished my latest mod, one of the new high CRI Seoul emitters (4000K CCT) in a KL1 head, and I decided to post beamshots of different types of LEDs and an incandescent light source illuminating objects of various colors. I almost have what I would consider a good cross section of LEDs to choose from: I just wish I had a light that uses one of the newer neutral to warm Crees such as a 5A tint bin. Anyway, on to the beamshots.

The camera was set to sunlight color balance and the light sources were placed 8 feet from the target (with the exception of one of the shots using the Nichia 083)

First up is an incandescent light using a 3.7V lamp assembly that is very white for an incandescent. It is a Wolf Eyes Sniper putting out about 100 bulb lumens.
P1020519.jpg





The second pic used the high CRI Seoul LED (4000K CCT) in the KL1 head.
P1020523.jpg


Next up is a high CRI Nichia 083 as used in McGizmo's Sundrop. This is more of a flood light, so the scene is not lit as intensely as in the other cases.

P1020520.jpg


This pic also used the Nichia 083, but this time the light source was only about 4 feet from the wall in order to more brightly illuminate the objects for a better idea of how it renders color (I hope).
P1020512.jpg


This pic used the Osram Golden Dragon in my Lunasol 20.
P1020524.jpg


And last is a Rebel 100 in my Arcmania Extreme III:
P1020525.jpg


Note: pics 2 and 3 have been switched since the original posting to allow better comparison between the incan and high CRI Seoul light sources by request.

Overall, these beamshots are pretty representative of the way these light sources render colorful scenes. The Nichia 083 seems dim in these shots, but in reality provides plenty of light that is very easy on the eyes. Nevertheless, it is best suited for illuminating nearby objects. But, having compared all of these light sources in person, I understand why Don chose the Nichia 083 to use in his high CRI light, the Sundrop. It really is spectacular IMO, but Don's opinion probably carries a lot more weight than mine. :grin2:

What these pictures do not show well is the way greens are rendered by these lights, and maybe I will have to take more beamshots sometime to show that. Also, these pictures do not give any indication of the ease with which my eyes can judge depth using these light sources. And even if I took pics of trees and such that show these differences in person, I doubt they would be present in photographs. There are qualities of the high CRI LEDs that are difficult to describe, and to complicate matters more, different people are effected to different degrees by the differences between these light sources. I find that I greatly prefer high CRI when I can get it without sacrificing form or function.

There are finally LEDs that can give some incandescent lights a run for their money, even outdoors. I was after an LED version of an E2E, with similar throw, good color rendition, longer runtime, and the reliability of a well built LED light. I think I have it with my KL1 mod. This light runs for about 3 hours (have not actually tested - this assumes 85% converter efficiency) instead of 75 minutes for the incandescent E2E and it gives me the option of using 17670 rechargeable cells for about 2.5 hours at slightly lower output (560mA vs. 750mA on primaries). Still, I wonder how a Cree Q2 5A in a KX2 or maybe an E2L or E2DL would compare? :devil:
 
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Sgt. LED

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Re: Color rendition beamshots: incan, GD, Rebel, Nichia 083 (high CRI), Seoul high CR

The third pic used the high CRI Seoul LED (4000K CCT) in the KL1 head.

That's the big winner here for my eyes!

I would love to see a head to head of that light and one of Gene's new Q2 Malkoff's!

Thanks for posting the color test for all of us.
 

Sgt. LED

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Re: Color rendition beamshots: incan, GD, Rebel, Nichia 083 (high CRI), Seoul high CR

Could you swap the places of you pics so that the incan shot and the Seoul high CRI are one behind another?

I't help me compare the best 2 for color viewing.

THANKS A BUNCH.
 

WadeF

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Re: Color rendition beamshots: incan, GD, Rebel, Nichia 083 (high CRI), Seoul high CR

You could try taking the shots with the white balance set to daylight, but exposure set to auto so the exposures are more consistent. That way we could focus on how the colors are being rendered.
 

mudman cj

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Re: Color rendition beamshots: incan, GD, Rebel, Nichia 083 (high CRI), Seoul high CR

I hear ya! A Q2 would put out more light, but I will have to see for myself if the extra light makes up for the drop in color rendition. I just had to order a Dereelight Q3 5A dropin that runs at 1 Amp so I can find out. I would prefer a light with the E2E form factor, but I can use this drop in with my Sniper and get more use out of it. When I get it I will add beamshots of it for comparison.
 

mudman cj

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Re: Color rendition beamshots: incan, GD, Rebel, Nichia 083 (high CRI), Seoul high CR

You could try taking the shots with the white balance set to daylight, but exposure set to auto so the exposures are more consistent. That way we could focus on how the colors are being rendered.

Yeah, that's what I did, at least to the extent that my camera would allow. Sorry they didn't come out more to your liking.

Edit: I added another pic of the Nichia 083 with the light source placed closer to the scene. This resulted in an exposure more consistent with the other pics. I hope it serves the intended purpose.
 
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saabluster

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Re: Color rendition beamshots: incan, GD, Rebel, Nichia 083 (high CRI), Seoul high CR

This is some excellent work mudman. Thanks! It should probably be in the LED section though.
 

KrisP

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Re: Color rendition beamshots: incan, GD, Rebel, Nichia 083 (high CRI), Seoul high CR

May I ask what part number the Seoul LED is and where you sourced it?


Thanks :)
 

TexLite

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Re: Color rendition beamshots: incan, GD, Rebel, Nichia 083 (high CRI), Seoul high CR

Great Job!

I know it takes some work to get good shots like these.

Thanks for the comparison,very useful.

About the 5A Cree,I think you'll be pleased.Compared directly against one of the high CRI emitters,you'll see a big difference,and you'll likely notice a little tint variation in everyday(or night)use,but its not like the cool whites,after just a few minutes of use you adapt very well and its not distracting or very noticeable at all.With the higher flux output/efficiency,they're better suited for everyday use.

-Michael
 

DM51

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Re: Color rendition beamshots: incan, GD, Rebel, Nichia 083 (high CRI), Seoul high CR

Moving it for you...
 

Ayeaux

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Re: Color rendition beamshots: incan, GD, Rebel, Nichia 083 (high CRI), Seoul high CR

Thank you for the pics. I'm considering getting a Q3 5A from dereelight myself and am anxiously awaiting your pictures to compare it to a rebel.
 

divine

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Re: Color rendition beamshots: incan, GD, Rebel, Nichia 083 (high CRI), Seoul high CR

I read this today, that fluorescent lights have a CRI of 82, and Metal halide (HID), if you're lucky will do 70 CRI.

I don't know about everyone, but I am usually seeing indoors with fluorescent lights, so some of my flashlights give a higher CRI than I am normally used to seeing.

The CRI of a Q5 WC Cree is around 70, and the CRI of a Golden Dragon is around 80.


If you ask me, red seems about twice as apparent when being lit by a golden dragon as it is being lit by a WC Cree or a SWO Seoul.

Now, this is where it gets confusing. It seems like how the light hits what you're viewing affects its ability for you to see what you're looking at. If you shine the hot spot directly on something red, they mostly seem the same. If you catch something red on the very edge of your spill, the CRI seems critical. If you are seeing from reflected light, there seems to be other things that affect what you see. I'm not too sure about the reflected light yet. I need to test some things.
 

Cemoi

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Re: Color rendition beamshots: incan, GD, Rebel, Nichia 083 (high CRI), Seoul high CR

May I ask what part number the Seoul LED is and where you sourced it?

Mudman: same question about the Cree 5A.

Thanks
 

KrisP

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Re: Color rendition beamshots: incan, GD, Rebel, Nichia 083 (high CRI), Seoul high CR

I read this today, that fluorescent lights have a CRI of 82, and Metal halide (HID), if you're lucky will do 70 CRI.
Flouro lights can have a CRI of 70 up to 95 depending on the type. Standard flouro is 70, triphosphor around 84, and full spectrum around 95 according to this document on page 4.
 

saabluster

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Re: Color rendition beamshots: incan, GD, Rebel, Nichia 083 (high CRI), Seoul high CR

I'm not sure where mudman is getting his from but you can get them from this module.
Kind of a moot point to link to that as they have been out of stock for some time now and do not appear to be getting any more. Disregard the note that says they will be back in stock in whatever amount of days. It is not true. (edit. It took them several months but I noticed they are back in stock)
 
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mudman cj

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Re: Color rendition beamshots: incan, GD, Rebel, Nichia 083 (high CRI), Seoul high CR

Mudman: same question about the Cree 5A.

Thanks
As I said above, I just ordered a Dereelight drop in that supposedly contains a Cree 5A with Q3 brightness bin. I say supposedly because until I saw that the brightest bin I had heard of in 5A was a Q2. But either way I think I will use it. ;)
 

gillestugan

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Re: Color rendition beamshots: incan, GD, Rebel, Nichia 083 (high CRI), Seoul high CR

Great beamshot setup mudman!
Who is that little red guy? (haven't had him here in Sweden)
He seems to be very happy to be photographed and has been modelling for www.steves-digicams.com for years, appearing in thousands of ISO level shots.
.
tn_DSC00080_JPG.jpg
 
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