What colour temp for an examination light?

[bryceorama]

I am thinking of building an XPG examination light and am trying to figure out what bin I should order to get the best colour temp for examining skin/tissue. I am thinking that a whiter light would best, but any of your thoughts would be appreciated.

Bryce

 

[flatline]

My wife uses an LF2XT for examinations. I believe the tint is 4C.

It's bright enough to compete with the overhead lights of the exam room and she finds the tint acceptable for examining throats and rashes and such. For edge cases, she pulls out her opthalmascope (ear/nose/throat thingie) for a second light source.

--flatline

 

[red02]

5A is very popular here, but to me it makes everything look pink. IMO the 3B/3C seems pretty close to ideal. Personally I like WG/WD/WH tints.

 

[HarryN]

Hi, for examination you want to focus on CRI, not color temperature. For that application, the two best, IMHO are:
- Lumileds rebel, high CRI 4000K, p/n LXM3-PW51
- Lumileds rebel, high CRI, 3000K, p/n LXML-PW71

3000K is closer in color to an incandescent ( a bit more yellowish), 4000K is closer to late afternoon sunshine.

Cree makes very nice LEDs, but for skin and and detailed examination the XP-G is not the right LED. The reason is that it lacks the broad spectral output of these two particular LEDs. This broad output comes at the price of efficiency, but that is just fundamental physics.

Nichia also makes a nice broad spectrum LED for this application, but at a lower power level. I don't have its p/n handy.

 

[CaNo]

5A :thumbsup:

 

[CaNo]

I also find the warm tint in my H501w is an exceptional choice. Very easy on the eyes. Mimics the color of the sun, and does not have any hot spots. Definitely one of my best purchases by far. It uses 1xAA battery, comes with a headband, clip, and GITD belt holster. You will not be disappointed with this one, especially if you are doing projects in the dark up close. The tint used allows the user to differentiate colors, all except white and blue (since it is a warm tint). I also found this makes a great pupillary reflex light off first hand experience. My patients also love the tint since it is easy on their eyes.

***Also, the "whiter" the light, the duller the color of the skin/tissue you are examining.***

Stick to neutral tints.