SST-50 Tint/Output Comparison - 4500K, 5700K, 6500K - Indoor/Outdoor Beamshots

[RichS]

I've seen several threads where people were asking about the tint and output differences between the three common tints for the SST-50
emitter. So I asked Supasizefries if he would be willing to send me a
couple of his modules (I already had the 4500K) so I could do a quick beamshot comparison to try and show the differences, and he was kind enough to ablige.

I did both indoor ceiling bounce shots, as well as outdoor shots so you could get an idea of how each performs in these different settings. One note - I had a difficult time hitting the target in the same spot outdoors due to the diffuse nature of the SST-50 hotspot, especially at a distance (around 100 feet).

These seem to be one of the hottest emitters going right now, so hopefully some of you will find this helpful.

Camera settings: Fuji F30 / Manual Mode / Daylight WB / 0.5 sec (Indoor), 3 sec (outdoor) / ISO 100

Indoor Ceiling Bounce Shots

(for output reference)

Outdoor Beamshots - 100 feet

(For brightness reference)

(With reference shots)

(With SST-50's Only)

Thanks for looking!

-Rich

 

[NightKids]

May I ask what program you use to show the tint comparison for the ceiling bounce. I would be very intersted to make one of them for all my flashlights. lol

 

[RichS]

May I ask what program you use to show the tint comparison for the ceiling bounce. I would be very intersted to make one of them for all my flashlights. lol

Are you referring to the animated gifs? I use Advanced GIF Animator to make those.

 

[NightKids]

Oh excellent, hopefully I can share some pictures too soon.

Is it freeware or do I have to buy it?

 

[supasizefries]

Hi Rich, just wanted to thank you again for taking these beamshots. The animated gifs really help out to compare the different tints. I hope to be making soon! :thumbsup:

 

[buck650]

So excellent pix! Thanks for the good beamshots! enjoying...:devil:

 

[KenAnderson]

I appreciate this thread. I've been wondering also how the tints compare. I'm quite impressed with way the 4500k temp shows a wider range of colors. Would be quite useful when searching for anything.

 

[swrdply400mrelay]

Would you say the 5700K has a slight green tint?

 

[nfetterly]

I've got the 4500 & 6500 in Mac's EDC.

The 4500 is a real winner inside in an industrial application. Everything stands out.

 

[KenAnderson]

Would you say the 5700K has a slight green tint?

The photo looks like it to me, I also tested my 5500-5700k lights and they have a slight green tiint also. I tested my 6500-6700k lights and found a slight blue tint. I seem to like the 4500-4700k tint most for general work. Best color rendition for me.

 

[RichS]

Would you say the 5700K has a slight green tint?

To my eye I didn't notice a green tint at all with the 5700K version. I only noticed that it was slightly cooler in color temp than the 4500K. At no point did it seem green-ish to me.

 

[DarkoMaledictus]

Wow the MalkofF sure looks out of the loop compared to SST-50, LUMENS wise anyway!!

 

[RichS]

Wow the MalkofF sure looks out of the loop compared to SST-50, LUMENS wise anyway!!

You're right - it is a big difference in output. But you have to remember it is not an apples to apples comparison as the Malkoff is a single Q3 XR-E emitter pulling about 1A, vs. a large die emitter pulling 2.5A. So, 170ish lumens vs. around 550 lumens. I just included it a reference to how bright these SST-50 drop-ins really are. The Malkoff M30/M60 drop-ins have been known for their output and throw capabilities, so it's interesting to see how bright these are in comparison.

 

[smfranke]

Rich...

Wow! Thanks for taking the time to do this. Very informative.

Definitely a fan of the 4500K.

 

[MKLight]

Great job, Rich! :twothumbs

 

[tre]

Popular belief seems to be that a neutral to warm tint is better for outdoors. In your beamshots it looks like the 5700k is actually the sweet spot.

 

[supasizefries]

I'm a big fan of the 5700k myself. In real life, I cannot detect any greenish hue from the 5700's. To me they look like a light vanilla white on a whitewall. I use the 5700k in my personal light.

 

[caall99]

any further details regarding the driver/regulation? i actually really like the look of the 4500k.

 

[RichS]

any further details regarding the driver/regulation? i actually really like the look of the 4500k.

Sure - these are regulated 3-mode drivers, and they drive the emitter at 2.5A.

And I agree with you on the 4500K version. It's the best of the 3 IMO.

 

[jellydonut]

4500 is very nice. Maybe I'll try that next time.. 3000K is too yellow for me. I guess the mix of flood and 3000K from the SST-90 is what makes it seem even more yellow than my incandescent lights.