It is better to choose safe light that allows changing filters. There are metal and plastic, round and rectangular design. The most important is the filter that meets the paper's requirement (color of light and brightness). Kodak safelights (5.5" circular and 10"x12" rectangular) are not low price but worth for long term use. There are many other safelight, with high and low prices. The choice is individual trust. Direct lighting is not favorable for high sensitive modern paper.

Kodak safe light filters include OC for B/W paper, 1A for orthochromatic film and 13 for color paper (from RA paper, Kodak recommends to work in total darkness if possible). The safe light filters of Japan manufacturers are No.3 for B/W paper, No.4 for orthochromatic film and No.7 for color paper.

Usually, safe light requires a 15 watt light bulb. Sometimes it may be difficult to get such low wattage supplies. We can use dimmer to keep light down. For testing safe light, we can place photo papers with opaque object like a coin on them placing on working areas. Turn on the safe light for the longest time required in operation, about 3 to 4 minutes normally. Then develop and fix the papers. If the shade of coin does not shown, it is safe. Otherwise, keep the safe light at farther position or dim it down. There is suggestion that this kind of test may not be able to prove. Of course, this kind of test is not scientific. We can have a real enlarging test for a high key photo once with safe light and once without. The photos will tell.

SAFE LIGHT