Figure Display Lighting
Wow - tons of member news today! Lots of goodes in there so check em out.
Member O.i.D posts his figure cabinet with additional lighting. I like lights on the figures too but am worried about color fading. Do you shine lights on your figures? Have your figures faded from too much shine?
Original text from O.i.D below.
First time I finally post something :3
Just recently built some multicolor light controllers from here and would like to share this pshycodelic display along with some Sharpnel sound!!
How do you guys display you figs? Do you use any sort of lighting? My Detolf is a shadowy spot, so I got some Ikea Dioder to brighten thing up.
I was using a low consumption spot light before, but the heat worried me, then I tried switching to CCFL's (a type of fluorescent) it looked messy, eventually splurged out for som LED lights, they barely get warm!
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Merchant
Nice thats how you should display your figures, I display them in a open display cabinet geting lots of dust and without lighting but eehh what can you do maybe later I will get something like this.
And nice figures ^_^
Otari Vader, Sith Lord for Hire, will fillet Makoto Itou for free
http://coffeebugg.blogspot.com/
now that's nice.
Engineer
http://philabong.webs.com/
It seems almost everyone has these Detolf display cases. I have two lamps inserted at the top, so the light shines down through each level of glass.
Stocker
http://www.sigfigs.org/
Figure rave? I'd rather go for some traditional pivoting halogen bulbs.
Engineer
http://lovelyduckie.com/
I'm the same. Plain halogen for me. Although I don't own any Detolf cases YET :) I plan on buying a bunch after I move to a house in a few years.
hikikomori
While halogen is bright, isn't the heat bad for figures?
I'm keen to wanting an LED-based solution eventually if manufacturers can improve dreaded color temperature... What I last heard is that there are some that are more naturally white but the brightness is too low.
Cook assistant
http://figuramania.blogspot.com/
What you are looking for exists, but at some pretty ridiculous prices! The white Ikea ones are pretty white, but a very cold white. I read about a few LED lights that had ajustable Kelvin, from cold to warm.
Admin
Halogens are about 30% brighter than normal incandescent lamps. They operate at a higher internal gas pressure, which makes them warmer as well. It is advisable to keep your figures away from heat, or they'll start to get blendy (at about 60 degree Celsius)
Another thing to keep your figures away from is ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can make the PVC to become brittle, discolored and cracked. UV rays is commonly found in sunlight as well as in fluorescent lamps. Manufacturers attempt to minimize the amount of UV radiation from your fluorescents. Compared to fluorescents, LED lights emit much lower level of UV radiation. Transparent window films that shuts out up to 99% UV rays can be purchased readily from manufacturers like 3M.
LEDs are the lights of the future. They require very little power, the rate of failure is very low and they emit very little heat. They are much more expensive, however.
Commercial Banking
Time to buy more Detolf.
The Sword of Magus
http://daichouginga.blogspot.com/
Nice. I own very few figures so a tabletop is ok for now.
lecherous wretch
http://graeble.deviantart.com/
very cool!
you could throw in some keychain disco balls and really get the party started.
Web Surfer, 大学生 【だいがくせい】
http://aoiichiguin.blogspot.com/
I been wanting to get me something like that. To bad MOSTLY all my figures are still in their original boxes.
Haha, that's a pretty neat light show there!
Student Engineer
http://www.tgwnetohh.blogspot.com/
LED (Light Emitting Diode) is the way to go. As an electrical engineer and a comrade, I recommend them. I have them installed in my M41 Walker Bulldog tank (a 4.0 volt LED) and it is BRIGHT. LEDs will not get hot so long as you are sending the proper current through it. The max amperage should be on the package. Me, I may use track lighting, but larger and brighter LEDs isnt a bad idea.
Student Engineer
http://www.tgwnetohh.blogspot.com/
In fact, you have challenged me next paycheck to design something for my model bookshelf. I will post that if I can get around to it.
Student Engineer
http://www.tgwnetohh.blogspot.com/
this design I have sketched up now would last approximatly 11.67 days continuously on one battery. Of course lights won't be on all the time so they will actually last longer. Multiply the battery into a four pack and we have 47 days of continuous use, 24/7, and the LED shouldn't get hot. I would design an apparatus to plug into the wall but I am not that adventurous and I will stick with DC thanks =) (AC is a pain, US outlets output 120v AC.)
Cook assistant
http://figuramania.blogspot.com/
at 4 volts? Sounds like a britght led! Looking forward to see what you get up to!
hikikomori
I'm usually against batteries for things that remain stationary. A wallwart could work.
I would be interested in this and the type of LEDs you use, since I casually tinker with LEDs myself. I'm currently replacing some that are powered by USB.
otaku
http://tsuki-board.net/louki
Good job. Also i like the way you have dispose your figures :D
Student // Collector // Gaijin
http://zacbush.com
That's hilarious. I also knew right away those were IKEA. lol
Writer/Academic/Code Monkey
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iheartassassinmaids/
You can by ikea dioder individually now, that's pretty cool, but they're still very pricey. I'd rather spend that money on more figs.
Cook assistant
http://figuramania.blogspot.com/
Individually? For how much? I would spend the money on figures too, the lights where a sort of present for doing all the DIY in the house xD
Writer/Academic/Code Monkey
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iheartassassinmaids/
$25AUD but Ikea Australia horribly overprices everything versus the rest of the world so you may find it cheaper.
Admin
I saw those Ikea LED strips and considered getting them, since they fit in nicely between the shelves. Traditional top-down lights is often diffused when it filters down to the bottom of the Detolf cabinet.
However, the lighting from these LED strips are very bright and non-directional. Frankly, just looking at the store display set hurt my eyes and I wondered how I'm going to display/admire my figures without blinding myself. Is there a way to adjust the brightness?
Cook assistant
http://figuramania.blogspot.com/
They are quite bright if you look straight into them, just like a flashlight/torch, once you are not looking into the beam they aren't that bright. Cant really adjust the brightness without modifying them.
3D artist
http://andyh.cgsociety.org
Its like a lilliputian Amsterdam window brothel!
Popular Culture Vulture
Oh new Miyazaki movie! Hope it comes here soon ...
Graphic Designer / Multi-class-worker-character
it's kindda christmas tree style, nice, but boring at sometime.
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
http://meimi132.wordpress.com/
I dunno if I'd have lighting... I wouldn't have fairy lights or led lights I know that.
Artist/Flash Programmer
http://wcloudxkumo.wordpress.com/
Well, what can I say...IT"S PARTY TIME!!! XD
Student and full-time otaku
Bit crazy with all the colors, but the idea is nice. I'd prefer LED over spot lights any day too.
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
http://xspblog.com
My cabinets have lamps... I had to turn them on to take pics for my latest figure photo session:
http://xspblog.com/2008/07/27/figures-update/
I don't think I have a fading problem, mostly because I only turn the lights up when I really need to. And because the figures are on cabinets, they are also protected from dust and direct sunlight... so it's all good! :D
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
http://xspblog.com
Also: Nice figures! I see some I like.
It's getting a little crowded there, don't you want to send me some? XD
Cook assistant
http://figuramania.blogspot.com/
Hahaha, thanks! Waay to crowded, soon I'm going make space for another display case, but then there will be plenty of free space, so I'll keep them for now xD
Eyes you Shinobu-chan
o o
3
http://animaticfigmation.com/
So far, they all sit up on a shelf near the ceiling that's nice and dark all the time. They aren't there for display but rather to keep my son from destroying them. I take them down when I'm on the computer for some company, and once in a while a figma goes for a field trip with me, though I've yet to get good pictures of that. I keep them under light for short periods of time while I'm taking pictures of them, and they get a little sunlight here and there but I'm pretty protective of them otherwise.
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
Hmm I think if using LED lights won't be as hot as say halogen lights?
I could be wrong tho lol nice display! ^O^
Pre-U Student
http://wakuwakusuru.zeroclipse.net
LED lights emit less heat = Less energy consumption.
Halogen lights are really, really hot. Hotter compared to fluorescent lamps.
Physical Therapist
http://www.flyingpussyfoot.com
Nice! Its Disco Time!
My Detolf gets enough light but that would be something
~Undine~
http://bluebluewave.wordpress.com
Nice setup! Led lights seem a good choice considering what has been said here about other lighting methods. A nice and clean method to hide the wiring would be great though...
MS pilot
nice led lights but the cabling needs work...itz distracting with all these cables around
study
wow that kool
Ronin - Looking for #1
http://unit-1978.deviantart.com/
the detolf is a definite favorite among figure collectors. I dont have one, but Id like to get one myself to display some of my mechs.
Student and Miku Guardian
http://kyourankyodai.com
A Detolf cabinet will sure help in having my figures a place to live rather than just in their respective boxes.. I need to save up on one as soon as possible...
CG映像専門学生
http://slyphnier.atelier-freya.net/
as far i know non heat + non UV (LED type) lighting wont make color fading
so those display lighting wont fade figure color imo
well the one that make color fade fast is UV, so dun put ur figure near windows that get direct sunlight
and about heat from the light, like halogen type, i dunno for sure but maybe it can make burned color if u light the figure for long time
Otaku
http://imperiomoe.wordpress.com
I have the same Ikea's display but different lights, I don't like those LED colors
Hehe, that's pretty cool.
Hikikomori in the making
http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/
LOL funky music and cool lights...
???Confused???
Nice collection and set up...good for future reference....
Otaku
I HAVE THE EXACT SAME GLASS DISPLAY! DETOLF FROM IKEA FTW!!! but I dont have lights...
demon hunter
http://www.j-fan.com
just like disco light with any figure's
Teacher's Assisstant/Economist
I try to keep my figures out of direct sunlight for this very reason
student- university servant
LMAO is that shelf from IKEA???? i have the same shelf, well 2 actually and from ikea
i wouldnt be surprised if IKEA produced these on an insane scale
Mechanical Engineer/Traveling Kamen Rider/Dollfie Dream Hunter
http://tcwenterprise.com/wordpress/
I had considered using the IKEA LED strip for my Detolf shelf but the fact that I can't hide the wires bother me a lot. A huge negative for me since I can't stand seeing the ugly wires hanging in a visible location. That's why I went with Billy bookshelves for most of my display, even though a small section of wire will be visible, about the best I can manage unless we go with Hall effect to magnetically induce electron flow to light up the LEDs (but that would be just too much work lol). I finally added a spot light to my Detolf 2 weeks ago and see how it looks, didn't work as good as I like.
student- university servant
i cant stand the wires as well, i think i might try to run the wire straight down the side against the glass to minimize the appearance of one
Mechanical Engineer/Traveling Kamen Rider/Dollfie Dream Hunter
http://tcwenterprise.com/wordpress/
What you want to do if you going to use the LED strip for the Detolf is to tape the LED stripe in a diagonal and run the wires up and down the steel support bar. Then to finish it off, get those Braided Expandable Sleeving made from Polyethylene Terephthalate, you can split it open to wrap it around those steel bar, it will shrink back into size and contain the loose wires.
Otaku Programmer/Gamer/Artist/Photographer
http://argylebolivar.wordpress.com
niice figures and excellent lighting!! ^_^ One day is shall do that with my figure =)
anime + games collector
nice figures plus the backlighting in the dark is cool too.
I.T.
http://www.groovydrift.com
awesome dude!