If you go too bright, it could end up as a glare bomb. I think it looks pretty good as it is; really cool idea, by the way.
Slate said:
If you go too bright, it could end up as a glare bomb. I think it looks pretty good as it is; really cool idea, by the way.
I get that! I’ve got two sockets to work with, so having the option to go brighter could be nice when needed.
You’ll want a good point source. LEDs can work, but they might cause unwanted shadows.
How about something like this with a dimmer?
Sky said:
You’ll want a good point source. LEDs can work, but they might cause unwanted shadows.
How about something like this with a dimmer?
That looks promising! Do you know which socket it fits?
@Val
It’s an E26, but you can find similar options for most socket types.
Sky said:
@Val
It’s an E26, but you can find similar options for most socket types.
Ordered one! I’ll report back in a week or two once it arrives.
Sky said:
You’ll want a good point source. LEDs can work, but they might cause unwanted shadows.
How about something like this with a dimmer?
420 lumens might not be enough light, and it’s likely around 2500K.
@Brenner
Actually, it’s 4,200 lumens!
Wow, that’s quite a lot! I’m used to E26 bulbs being between 600-1200 lumens. It’s rare to find something that high.
Maybe try a bright LED lamp and remove the diffuser? That might work.
Slate said:
Maybe try a bright LED lamp and remove the diffuser? That might work.
I tried that, but it won’t work here. It needs to be a single LED or point source that projects in a full 360°. It has to be something like an arc lamp or small filament for the effect to work correctly. Right now, I’m using a 100-watt G9, but it’s not quite bright enough.
@Val
These could be bright point sources:
Just a heads up, they’re powerful and come with some risks.
Edit:
These lamps are close to true point sources and are often used in projectors due to their brightness. However, they require careful handling and might need professional help for installation. Here’s some interesting info:
https://www.sprocketschool.org/wiki/Xenon_short-arc_lamp
@Darin
The main concern with these is the UV output. These lamps emit light similar to sunlight, making them dangerous for direct viewing. If it’s reflected onto a screen it’s fine, but not safe to look at directly.
@Val
You could use a UV-blocking glass shield for safety, which would also protect against any explosion risk.
How about a HID retrofit LED for an E27 socket? They’re bright but can be big. Or a custom job with an AC to DC car headlight conversion—they’re small and super bright.
This looks incredible! I can’t help much with a light source (maybe a low-watt metal halide?), but I do have a question. Did you calculate room size and shadow focus? I’ve thought about doing something similar but haven’t gotten around to it.
@Marlo
The key is a small, bright filament. The smaller and brighter, the sharper the shadow projection.
Currently using a 100-watt G9 halide. I’m looking for something even stronger.
What do you think of this?
https://hydrobuilder.com/grower-s-choice-500w-single-ended-cmh-bulb-4-000k-r.html
Logan said:
What do you think of this?
https://hydrobuilder.com/grower-s-choice-500w-single-ended-cmh-bulb-4-000k-r.html
Could be a good choice. I just need to check how much of the filament gets hot – is it just the center or the whole thing?