Cool White (CCT 5700K) CRI 90+

According to datasheets XHP35/XHP50/XHP70 emitters are available with 90+ CRI even at 5000K (and in case of XHP35, even at 5700K) CCT. Yet there are no flashlights using these bins. Soon to be released Zebralight Plus will use XHP50 5000K CRI 90+, but that's about it. Even Zebralight SC600 Mk III, which uses XHP35 emitter, does not specify CRI 90+ bins. Why is that? Where are all the lights with CRI 90+ at 5000K and 5700K CCT?

Jaxman E2 uses a N219BV1 with 90+ CRI and 5700k CCT.
The new upcoming Eagletac Titaniums will use the same emitter at 90+ CRI and 5700k CCT.

These are rare for two primary reasons, they are expensive so it is hard to compete when a lot of people won't appreciate it anyways. Two lumens won't be as high so it will be hard to sell based upon the most common selling point which is lumens.

staticx57 said:

These are rare for two primary reasons, they are expensive so it is hard to compete when a lot of people won't appreciate it anyways. Two lumens won't be as high so it will be hard to sell based upon the most common selling point which is lumens.

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Unfortunate but true. It sounds like perfection on paper...I hope to see one in person soon.

twistedraven said:

Jaxman E2 uses a N219BV1 with 90+ CRI and 5700k CCT.
The new upcoming Eagletac Titaniums will use the same emitter at 90+ CRI and 5700k CCT.

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Thanks, but those Nichia 219B have much lower lumen output compared to Cree.

staticx57 said:

These are rare for two primary reasons, they are expensive so it is hard to compete when a lot of people won't appreciate it anyways. Two lumens won't be as high so it will be hard to sell based upon the most common selling point which is lumens.

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That argument doesn't hold. Plenty flashlight manufacturers happily offer warm emitters, which are both more expensive and less luminous, just like these CRI 90+ versions.

It took years for manufacturers to finally come around to offering neutral and warm tints because before that everything was OMG Max lumens. It's only been in the past year or so that finding even high CRI Nichia offerings is decently common.

staticx57 said:

It took years for manufacturers to finally come around to offering neutral and warm tints because before that everything was OMG Max lumens. It's only been in the past year or so that finding even high CRI Nichia offerings is decently common.

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You are probably right. Let's hope this time around the switch comes quicker.

The problem with Nichia is the low luminosity levels, while these Cree high CRI emitters seem to offer much higher levels. One thing I find slightly suspicious is that Cree datasheets do not contain spectral distribution charts for high CRI bins, they only specify CRI number. CRI number alone could be very deceiving. Two emitters with the same CCT and the same CRI could have vastly different color rendering properties. One needs spectral distribution chart to judge color rendering properties of the light source.

Aggressor said:

You are probably right. Let's hope this time around the switch comes quicker.

The problem with Nichia is the low luminosity levels, while these Cree high CRI emitters seem to offer much higher levels. One thing I find slightly suspicious is that Cree datasheets do not contain spectral distribution charts for high CRI bins, they only specify CRI number. CRI number alone could be very deceiving. Two emitters with the same CCT and the same CRI could have vastly different color rendering properties. One needs spectral distribution chart to judge color rendering properties of the light source.

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Probably is the best I can do, still an educated guess as I haven't actually interviewed any manufacturers.

you are right, most high CRI Cree offerings still fail producing certain colors, red especially. Nichia is much better in this regard. Who knows what the XHP series will bring, the zebralight is the first real example of these emitters so we will have to wait and see.

jon_slider said:

this pic thanks to maukka:


my guess is Astrolux has a new batch of higher CCT LEDs that have a more yellow Tint than the previous batch.

here is another thread about yellow tinted LEDs from Astrolux.
Is there a new Nichia 219B out there?

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That one has good numbers for the cinematography application using prism cameras (TLCI number) but the R9 still needs work for CMOS sensors to get it correct.
I wonder why they don't show the R13 and 15...
Right now the industry is still in its infancy regarding accurately judging LED CRI's but the "CRI extended" ratings are starting to catch on until the more potentially accurate CQS (color quality scale) includes skin tones in its now 15 color samples. (Extended CRI includes those samples btw.)

Basic CRI was used for light bulbs. The 'camera' world is still trying to figure out these new LED's and when they do, then we'll be see-ing some incandescent sweetness beaming out of LED's. Until then just because it touts a CRI of 90 plus does not mean it is going to be a good one for photography.

Looks like it's getting closer by the month now. Glad to see it, but still prefer an incan with a fresh set of batteries for photography purposes.

Maybe RedLed can chime in with his thoughts.