Today I ran into a second hand Philips "UV-A" fluorescent light unit. I seems to be one of those tanning machines.
What made me interested in it, was 1) the wheeled type of metal construction (a simple one) which allows you to conveniently move it about, 2) Six 40w (totalling 240W) fluorescent tubes fitted into a box, mirrored to direct the light out of it; 3) the fact that there seems to be levers to adjust the light power; 4) the fact that this box fairly easily could be lowered or raised or turned into various angles to direct the light in desired directions; 5) the assumption that maybe some sort of simple reflector screen probably could be fitted to it instead of the lights; 6) the price of some $15 US; Now the fluorescent tubes fitted to it are ones aimed at tanning. (They are UV-lights, right?) There was a warning sign about using it (carefully read the manual before using etc) - I guess there is a risk about getting burned or maybe your eyes might get hurt etc. Right or wrong I thought these tubes may be interchangeable with other types of tubes which might be more useful for photographing purposes. I was thinking that this whole thing may come handy for home studio use, for producing light maybe in portrait shooting or table top shooting, or to be used for reflectors. I am well familiar with how film reads fluorescent light. However, sooner or later I will buy me a digital SLR, probably the D*ist as the price comes down. Having learned a bit about setting white balance I was thinking that fluorescent light may be a lesser issue with digitals. My question is: 1) Generally, how does the idea sound to you, who may know a bit more about these types of lights than me? 2) Do you think those tubes can be replaced with other types of fluorescent tubes of same power? Any reason not to? 3) Would it's power adjustment capabilities work just as well with other types of tubes? 4) Am I possibly missing something else? Thanks, Lasse
