Exposure units

[Gilligan]

Started with a NuArc Carbon Arc Lamp, the best ever, and totally poisonous of course. Since then, a number of Violux 3000s and 5000s. Currenty, the 5000s. Had an Olite for a while, which I know a lot of folks like, but it was always breaking down. With the Violux, we go through bulbs every 8 - 10 months, $150 a pop or so.

Steve

Pretty curious about the new LED systems though...

We've been testing the new Vastex LED unit for few weeks now. I am finding myself choosing it over the 3140 almost all the time. I'll be testing the high end artwork films over the weekend and I have a feeling it will do as well as the MH units.

pierre

That I'd be VERY interested in.

All the units I saw at ISS still looked like undercutting would be an issue.

Please let us know your findings!

[Rockers]

Last year a looked a bit more into Chinese made exposure units. I don`t thunk they are bad but they are not as cheap as you think, ad the shipping from China to the States, import taxes etc and you might as well buy one in the US. Another draw back is that many of the Chinese units need a 400V supply.

[Dochertyscott]

Just to let you all know that helped with my decision.
I purchased a drape back that came up for sale nice decent size. Maybe 2m x 1.5m
Connect vacuum to it. Perfect contact.
As for the light source... I got a single phase 1600w mh natgraph.
What a treat. The drape back turned up just before Christmas so I have only just started exposing with it this year.
1:1 glisten method with graphic PU.
Exposure clac worked well... Will probably go back and do it at smaller intervals perhaps in the weekend.
But at this stage exposing for 80 seconds. Great exposure. Great halftones.
What a treat. I forgot that I enjoy exposing screens. What would previously be a case of.. "Ah crap screens to shoot for tomoro at 10 o'clock at night" (I live in an apartment above my workshop)
Is now an enjoyable and predictable outcome during work hours. 4 screens out to dry in less than 5 mins!
Who woulda thought!
The home made jobbie was great to start with but now... shits hit legit!
I appreciate all the advice.

[Dochertyscott]

One more thing. Should I get an integrator? The bulb is brand new.
Is there integrators you can buy seperate to work with any light source?

[jsheridan]

The word on the street is to wait till next year for the LED stuff so they can sort out the final bugs in the equation.

[tonypep]

A small shop on St Thomas exposes with our friend the sun. When I asked them what they do when it rains they looked at me like I was crazy. "We do something else!"