The purpose of certain devices associated with a specific activity is not always completely clear to us. For example, a shadowless lamp. What is it? Why shadowless - how is this effect achieved? Where is the device used? Detailed answers - later in the article.
What is this?
Shadowless lamp - a device that, when illuminating a certain working field, does not create shadow areas in it. Such devices are most often mounted in special fittings, which allow more even distribution of light, as well as adjust the level of illumination. If it is a modern model, it may come with a remote control.
Dictionaries also offer the following meanings, which are essentially not far from what we have presented:
- One type of electric lamp, equipped with a device that excludes the possibility of shadows appearing in the illuminated working area.
- Shadow-free lighting device most commonly used in medical practice.
- A lamp used to uniformly illuminate the working field, whose shadowless effect is achieved due to the simultaneous operation of several light sources or its reflection from the armature.
Scope of application
Where are shadowless lamps used? These are the following areas:
- Medicine. Especially relevant for surgery, dentistry.
- Cosmetology.
- Radio-electronic production.
- Jewellery.
- Repair shops where it is important to thoroughly and comprehensively illuminate the workplace.
Recently, shadowless lamps for domestic use are becoming more and more relevant.
The principle of operation of the device
The operation of such devices is based on a combination of lighting from the top and front sources. The result is a general (or fill) light. Namely, uniform, shadowless, intense diffused illumination of the object. I must say, it is precisely because of this that shadowless lamps are also valued by photographers.
The ratio between the brightness of shadows and highlights changes the decrease in overall illumination. In this case, the brightness of the light decreases faster than the brightness of the shadows. Why? Shadows continue to be illuminated to some extent by diffused light. Hence, reducing the lamp system illumination will lead to a decrease in contrast.
Shadowless lamps can give a simple light - when it goes in one direction from one source. It can also be complex light. It comes, respectively, from several sources in several directions.
As for the use of shadowless lamps in photography, here their illumination can be as follows:
- Tough. The light source is an electric lamp without fittings, a voltaic arc. Here are the bordersshadows become more rigidly defined, and the relief of the subject is exaggerated. This can be clearly seen on the depressions - they seem to deepen.
- Soft. The light source is enclosed in a wide soffit, barred by a translucent screen. With such illumination, the shadows are almost blurred, the surface relief is difficult to determine.
- Reduced. The light source is blocked by a translucent screen made of thin fabric, paper, milky glass. This gently blurs the shadow contours, smoothes out the reliefs.
The illumination of a shadowless lamp and the location of an object to it are related in this way: the closer the latter, the more sharply defined and cone-shaped its shadow. If two light sources are used, whose rays intersect, then not only a shadow will fall from the object, but also a penumbra, smoothing out the contrast of its outline.
Consider the angles of incidence of the rays of a shadowless lamp:
- More than 45° direct lighting.
- Less than 45° - oblique illumination. Emphasizes both the details and the outline of the object. One of the varieties is sliding lighting. Here the angle of incidence tends to zero. Softens the contrast in this case with weak direct illumination from a weak light source.
Device Advantages
Why is this lighting device preferred over others in these areas? The shadowless lamp has the following undeniable advantages:
- Glows evenly, does not flicker.
- Does not heat work area.
- Does not damage eyesight during prolonged use.
- Does not have a stroboscopiceffect.
- Safe to use.
- Consumes a small amount of electrical energy.
- Characterized by long service life.
Varieties of lamps
Shadowless luminaires are standardly powered from the mains with a backup power supply. Illumination - 50 000 Lx, color temperature - 4500 K.
The fixtures use two types of lamps:
- Halogen. In addition to them, the design includes special cold light reflectors, absorption, color-correcting filters, interference reflectors (devices that remove heat). Among the additional equipment, one can single out a video monitor, which is installed on a separate lever. A multi-stage light control system is possible. The latest innovations include a pantographic mechanism and an electronic ballast.
- LED. Luminaires are represented by a system of diodes. Among them are magnifying shadowless lamps. Such designs are supplied with a magnifying glass, which allows you to better view a specific working area.
In addition to the classification presented, such lighting devices are also divided according to the method of their fastening:
- Table shadowless lamps.
- Ceiling mount.
- Desk mount.
- Wall mount.
- For installation in spaces with low ceilings.
- Mobile structures.
Producers of shadowlessfixtures
Shadowless magnifying lamps and other products of this variety are primarily used in medicine, in responsible production. Therefore, when purchasing them, you need to pay attention to reliable manufacturers. Among the latter, the following firms and enterprises can be distinguished:
- Russian - Medbalance, Viking, Dixion, Alfa.
- English - Eschmann Equipmeht.
- German - Berchtold, Draeger Medical.
- Italian - Csn Inustrie Srl.
According to direct users, the products of these manufacturers are multifunctional, popular, durable, have a worthy combination of "price / quality".
Shadowless lamps are devices that are quite widely used today and have an impressive list of advantages. You now know how they work. The devices are presented in several variations - according to the type of lamps, the design fastening.
