[alt-photo] Re: UV light for cyanotypes

[Tomas Sobota]

Sarah,

Before building a UV box, I used this sun tan lamp:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=ubuntu&channel=fs&q=osram+UV+lights&oe=utf-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=14478487383285518444&sa=X&ei=Dg5FT7-OLo-4hAfFmJ37AQ&ved=0CGQQ8wIwBA

(also here:)
http://www.bulbtronics.com/Search-The-Warehouse/ProductDetail.aspx?sid=0013779&pid=OSULTRAVITALUX&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

It will cost you around US$ 100, and it works fine for medium-sized prints.
Also, it has an advertised lifetime of 5000 hours, I never managed to burn
one.

When you turn on this lamp you have to wait around a minute until the UV
output stabilizes. You will notice this because the light turns to a
greenish hue (avoid looking directly into the lamp, obviously). Then you
make the exposition. After turning the lamp off, you have to wait until it
cools down before turning it on again. If doing several prints, you just
leave it on between exposures.

Tom

On Wed, Feb 22, 2012 at 4:38 PM, Diana Bloomfield <
dhbloomfield at bellsouth.net> wrote:

> Hey Sarah,
>
> I have no idea about James' suggestion, and you're probably in more of a
> rush to get something done sooner rather than later-- but I'm sure your
> community college offers an associates degree in some field (electrical
> engineering maybe? Design? Woodworking?), that you could use for your
> purposes.  Not that you need a degree in electrical engineering, but you
> could approach an instructor and ask if he/she would offer that up as a
> group project.  They could maybe make you a large UV light-box, for larger
> classes and longer term.  Before I started using a vacuum print frame, my
> husband made me one, which was really based on a smaller one that I'd
> purchased, but didn't like for various reasons.  Anyway,  I think if you
> commissioned for something that would accommodate your classes and that
> would last long-term, that seems like a worthwhile integrated approach to
> learning, and everyone gets something out of it.
>
> Again, I'm sure you're up for something sooner that that, but it's a
> thought for longer-term.
>
> Diana
>
> On Feb 22, 2012, at 10:16 AM, Sarah McKemie wrote:
>
> > Hi there,
> >
> > I am a traditional printer and am just starting to scrape the surface of
> alt. process.
> > I teach a intro and advanced darkroom class at a community college and
> would like to try doing cyanotype's with my adv. class.
> > To give them (and myself) an introduction to cyanotypes.
> > However, our class is at night,  so I will need a uv source.
> >
> >
> > I do not feel confident to make one with wiring, etc. Nor do I have time
> right now.
> > I would like to buy something affordable.
> > In Christopher James, Alternative Processes book, he recommends
> "1000-Watt Metal Halide Maximizer Grow Light System", from
> www.hydroponics.net, and he says it is about $250.  Would this be my best
> affodrable bet, or is something cheaper?
> >
> > Do you have any ideas?
> > _______________________________________________
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