Interior Photographs and Energy-Saving Light Bulbs: Problems?

I know this isn't quite studio lighting, but I think the subject is best suited to the lighting forum.

For interior photographs, should I be expecting the same lighting problems with energy-saving (compact fluorescent) bulbs as I would with the larger fluorescent tubes?

The type of light suggests that they should be the same, but I have read that the colours emitted by these bulbs are all over the place. Also I have seen the energy-saving bulbs available in different light temperatures, so I'm not sure how this affects the ability to photograph them consistently.

I can see how this could be a problem for faster shutter speeds catching different parts of the light cycle, but would I be okay with longer shutter speeds that capture a few cycles? Would this combination of several cycles result in a stable light temperature?

By the way, this question regards building interior photography, with no requirement for a fast shutter speed.

Thanks,

Mike

CFL bulbs have electronic ballast that cycle much faster than traditional fluorescents. You won't have the shutter speed limitations normally associated with fluorescent tubes.

You're correct about the colors from these bulbs being all over the map. If all the bulbs are the same, you should be able to neutralize the color through the usual methods (my preferred method is a WhiBal card, shoot RAW, adjust in post). The real difficulty comes if you also have window light in the mix. You won't be able to balance for both at the same time, but that's always an issue with interior architecture.

Thanks Curtis. I'm okay with the window light situation as I quite like the contrast between tungsten light bulbs and daylight.

I've just realized though that I may have problems if some of the interior bulbs are tungsten and some are compact fluorescent. I think I'll get myself some spare bulbs in case I need to change any to match. It would be nice to have tungsten bulbs throughout, but I think they won't be available past 2012, unless it would be possible to get them in the right fitting for specialist use.

Mike

I have also heard a rumor that our federal government, in its infinite stupidy, plans to outlaw incandescent bulbs in a few years. It's a scary thought. If this ugly rumor is confirmed I'll buy a lifetime supply while they're still available.

Try to turn on a CFL outdoors in subzero weather and you'll quickly understand the folly of eliminating their availability. Besides, the light they produce is downright ugly.

100-watt incandescent bulbs are already banned here and 60-watt bulbs will be banned by 2012, as far as I am aware. I have read that other countries - including yours - plan to do the same, but here it has been established that the ban isn't actually legal, so it will be interesting to see what happens. It's not much use to you over there, but here's a UK article regarding the ban not being legal:

http://www.telegraph.c​o.uk …ulb-ban-is-not-legal.html

And also there is a loophole in the law, therefore allowing their sale:

http://www.telegraph.c​o.uk …le-in-light-bulb-ban.html

I did find halogen versions of the traditional style bulbs, which as far as I know aren't affected by the ban. These ones: http://www.lightonener​gy.co.uk …ssic-p/halogen-gls-42.htm. They would be really handy as the colour temperature should match that of my work lights.

Mike

Curtis N wrote in post #8867781
I have also heard a rumor that our federal government, in its infinite stupidy, plans to outlaw incandescent bulbs in a few years. It's a scary thought. If this ugly rumor is confirmed I'll buy a lifetime supply while they're still available.

Start shopping, that just turned real in Sweden and i think the whole EU as well ( not 100% on the whole EU, just a rumor).
Stores are allowed to sell what they have in stock but are not allowed to reorder as far as i have figured it.

The news that they would not sell any more came as a flash from a bright sky here so if it goes down in the same way in USA don't expect to have much time to shop.

Andreas, I don't know if it's the same for your country, but the loophole in the law here (see my second link above) concerns the 'rough handle' bulbs intended for workshop use, which are marked as not for household use.

Mike

I went shopping last night to replace some incandescent bulbs around the house last night with CFL's. Talk about a range of color temps. The GE's actually say 6500K daylight on the packaging. I saw some sylvania minis that had 2700 on the packaging, but it was unclear if that was a color temp. I put a new cfl in a fixture that already had an bulb that was only a couple months old and the color temp was significantly different. My guess is trying to use them would only work if you replaced all the cfls in the scene at the same time with the same brand.

I use CFL's throughout my house, but some caution is required:

http://www2.macleans.c​a …ight-bulbs-a-health-risk/

The ones that are just a glass coil ("open" type) should not be used for desk lamps.

I have a friend who lights a room by firing a 500W worklamp at the ceiling. It...erm...works.

Curtis N wrote in post #8867781
I have also heard a rumor that our federal government, in its infinite stupidy, plans to outlaw incandescent bulbs in a few years. It's a scary thought. If this ugly rumor is confirmed I'll buy a lifetime supply while they're still available.

Try to turn on a CFL outdoors in subzero weather and you'll quickly understand the folly of eliminating their availability. Besides, the light they produce is downright ugly.

its a fact here .UK ...............has already happened !

Psychobiker wrote in post #8871087
I have a friend who lights a room by firing a 500W worklamp at the ceiling. It...erm...works.

Why?