13 ms·

It's easy to do the science behind the light quality from different bulbs, but no one seems to bother doing it. You just need to print a graph of the spectrum t

by marvin 10y ago

It's easy to do the science behind the light quality from different bulbs, but no one seems to bother doing it. You just need to print a graph of the spectrum that the bulb emits and compare it to whatever your favorite bulb is like. Would love to have this information available on the box, but of course that would make comparison too easy. Instead we're stuck with a simplification where a very high-dimensional property is reduced to a single number, and even that with low precision since few LED bulbs have emission spectra that resemble a black body. http://www.gl-leds.com/led-bulbs/img/b60-led-bulb-spectrum.jpg http://www.gl-leds.com/led-bulbs/img/b60-led-bulb-spectrum.j...

wlesieutre 10y ago
Here's hoping TM-30-15 gets wide adoption. If every bulb listed its fidelity index, gamut index, and color vector diagram, you'd actually be able to tell which ones are awful. http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/09/f26/tm30-intro-webinar_9-15-15.pdf http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/09/f26/tm30-intro-we... [PDF]
- 50CNT 10y ago
  Most likely the ones not listing it.
lutorm 10y ago
The problem is that comparing a spectrum isn't actually meaningful. I really don't care about the spectral shape of the light if it's not perceptible to me. You want some sort of quantitative estimate of what you care about.
- nostromo 10y ago
  If you're looking at a white piece of paper with black text, you won't be able to tell the difference. But if you're looking at color (flowers, a painting, human skin) then spectral shape becomes very important. Look at all of the shades of color you're not seeing under a typical CFL: http://www.bealecorner.org/best/measure/cf-spectrum/spectrum-9-07a.png http://www.bealecorner.org/best/measure/cf-spectrum/spectrum...
  - lutorm 10y ago
    I'm not disputing the fact that there is a difference. But whether it's perceptible depends on where in the spectrum the differences are in relation to what you are looking at and the response curves of your cones. Not to mention your expectations. I'm a pretty picky person when it comes to color when working with photos. But I don't have a single incandescent in my house and I can't even remember the time when I've been bothered by not being able to discriminate colors.

by marvin 10y ago

wlesieutre 10y ago

Here's hoping TM-30-15 gets wide adoption. If every bulb listed its fidelity index, gamut index, and color vector diagram, you'd actually be able to tell which ones are awful. http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/09/f26/tm30-intro-webinar_9-15-15.pdf http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/09/f26/tm30-intro-we... [PDF]

50CNT 10y ago
Most likely the ones not listing it.

lutorm 10y ago

The problem is that comparing a spectrum isn't actually meaningful. I really don't care about the spectral shape of the light if it's not perceptible to me. You want some sort of quantitative estimate of what you care about.

nostromo 10y ago
If you're looking at a white piece of paper with black text, you won't be able to tell the difference. But if you're looking at color (flowers, a painting, human skin) then spectral shape becomes very important. Look at all of the shades of color you're not seeing under a typical CFL: http://www.bealecorner.org/best/measure/cf-spectrum/spectrum-9-07a.png http://www.bealecorner.org/best/measure/cf-spectrum/spectrum...
- lutorm 10y ago
  I'm not disputing the fact that there is a difference. But whether it's perceptible depends on where in the spectrum the differences are in relation to what you are looking at and the response curves of your cones. Not to mention your expectations. I'm a pretty picky person when it comes to color when working with photos. But I don't have a single incandescent in my house and I can't even remember the time when I've been bothered by not being able to discriminate colors.