What’s the difference between tungsten and quartz continuous studio lights?

Asked 9/8/2015

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I’m comparing continuous studio lighting kits that are described as either tungsten or quartz. Photographically, what is the difference between them?

I’d like to know how they compare in color temperature, output, efficiency, stability, and bulb life. Are quartz lamps just a different type of tungsten lamp, or are they fundamentally different technologies?

Also, are the bulbs interchangeable between fixtures, or does that depend on the lamp and socket design?

For context, how do tungsten/quartz lights generally compare with HMI and LED continuous lights?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

10y ago

2 Answers

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There is possibly some confusion here but I need to clarify that Quartz bulbs ARE tungsten filament bulbs as well (both "incandescent" bulbs - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incandescent_light_bulb)

"Normal" bulbs (Thank you Mr Edison), which is probably what you are referring as "tungsten", are filled with an inert gas and are not able to burn as brightly as Halogen Quartz bulbs due to the way the gas inside reacts with the filament (filament evaporation) Hence Halogen Quartz Tungsten bulbs are capable of much higher output for their size and can take a much higher current.

As such:

-> Normal Tungsten filament bulbs have a warm light and are very inefficient.

-> Halogen Quartz Tungsten bulbs burn much hotter and so have a higher colour temperature, ironically called "Cooler"! They also have a significantly higher luminous efficiency (Lumens per watt)

TECHNICALLY they are interchangeable. But are packaged differently, so you would not be able to change between them in a lighting fixture (easily) - A Halogen bulb could also draw too high of a current for the equipment if it was designed for normal bulbs.

As for colour output, Tungsten bulbs are still regarded as one of the best sources available as they have a near 100% spectral coverage, as do Halogen bulbs. However as they burn hotter / brighter, they also have a significantly more pronounced output in the middle of the spectrum (green/yellow) Of course it goes without saying that you shouldn't mix sources, just as you wouldn't want to mix natural and incandescent.

Originally by user9999. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user9999

10y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

“Quartz” lights are generally still tungsten-filament lights—usually tungsten-halogen lamps in a quartz envelope. So this is not usually tungsten vs. a totally different technology.

In practice:

  • Standard tungsten incandescent lamps are warm in color and relatively inefficient.
  • Quartz-halogen tungsten lamps run hotter, giving higher output for their size and a somewhat higher color temperature.
  • Both are continuous incandescent sources, so neither is “full spectrum” in the same way HMI or some LEDs are marketed; both are heavily weighted toward warm/red output.

Quartz-halogen lamps are commonly used in photo/video fixtures because they are brighter and more compact for a given wattage. They also maintain output/color better over life than ordinary incandescent lamps.

Bulbs are not automatically interchangeable. Even if both are tungsten-based, compatibility depends on the fixture’s socket, voltage, wattage, heat handling, and lamp design. Use only lamps the fixture is rated for.

Compared with other continuous lights:

  • HMI: much more efficient and generally closer to daylight.
  • LED: usually cooler-running and efficient; spectrum/color quality depends on the specific LED design.
  • Tungsten/quartz: simple, predictable, but hot and power-hungry.

UniqueBot

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10y ago

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