Best light source for observing nihonto

[lovelight]

Hello all-

 

I'm curious what light source folks prefer for observing the details in their swords.  I've heard everything from halogen to candlelight to morning sun.  A recent visit to an exhibit in Nara made me realize what a difference lighting can make but I can't remember what they used in the exhibit.

 

Thanks-

Ron

[Rivkin]

Heavily depends on date/polishing.

Gendai and shinshinto tend to be reliant on larger nie crystals in which case modern LED works well and halogen might get better results than incandescent.

 

With older swords LED is still an option, but requires a lot of fine tuning. By default incandescent is the best. They still sell them in photo-stores or for photo needs online. Moonlight can also work well if one wants something "natural".

 

Also gendai-shinshinto can be viewed well with the blade between the light source and the observer. Older swords tend to be viewed at large angle from the nakago, while pointing kissaki towards and slightly below the light source.

 

Kirill R.

[Stefan]

The best  way in my opinion is the classic electric light  bulb in an darkened room. 

[b.hennick]

Don't forget that to see hada fluorescent light coming over your shoulder works well.

[raynor]

I've found an old brass desk study lamp, that with yellow light works best. It acts like a larger more stable candle flame. Fortunately I can still get the 1940 style bulbs on Amazon 

[16k]

Not exactly what you’re asking for but for me, nothing beats pictures with different lighting source. Besides, our eye gets so used to positive image that sometimes, transforming the image into a negative via a image program allows you to see what you would otherwise have missed.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Full moonlight.

[PNSSHOGUN]

"The light of an eclipsing blue moon during a leap year, filtered through the silk scarf of a Eunuch born on the Sabbath..."

[Jean]

"The light of an eclipsing blue moon during a leap year, filtered through the silk scarf of a Eunuch born on the Sabbath..."

On the 30th of February

[Stephen]

candlelight

[Brian]

incandescent (similar light to a candle)

[lovelight]

Thanks folks.  I'll give all of these a try.  I'm having some difficulty finding the eunuch but anything is possible with the internet.

[SAS]

Blood Moon.....  Actually Barry's fluorescent light over the shoulder suggestion was helpful for me tonight while trying to kantei a new acquisition....the masame hada was hard to see, but his tip did the trick, thanks Barry.

[b.hennick]

You are welcome.

[Mark S.]

I find a very bright white LED brings out a lot of detail missed by other lights.  HOWEVER... it can also wash out certain things due to glare and be very hard on the eyes due to reflection.  I try many varieties of light sources around the house because each offers a different view.  My LED set up consists of the attached pictures.  Basically just a bright LED bulb in a desk lamp.  It is a very flexible system as far as positioning.  Also, LED bulbs draw very little wattage, so you can put a brighter bulb in a fixture that is rated lower.  The lamp is only rated for 40 watts... but I can use a 75 watt bulb in it because it only draws 10 watts. 

[Jason N]

I find a very bright white LED brings out a lot of detail missed by other lights. HOWEVER... it can also wash out certain things due to glare and be very hard on the eyes due to reflection. I try many varieties of light sources around the house because each offers a different view. My LED set up consists of the attached pictures. Basically just a bright LED bulb in a desk lamp. It is a very flexible system as far as positioning. Also, LED bulbs draw very little wattage, so you can put a brighter bulb in a fixture that is rated lower. The lamp is only rated for 40 watts... but I can use a 75 watt bulb in it because it only draws 10 watts.

???? On LED. I picked up 2x 2000lm LED mechanic’s work lights with tripods for $35 each at Walmart. They adjust in height and x,y,z angle for a little more than a pack of LED bulbs.