5000k vs 4000k

[barnee]

I know the color temp is purely a personal preference, but wanted to know if the difference between 4000k and 5000k is significant.

Reason I ask is that I ordered 4000k edge lit flat panel lights and 5000k showed up. Certainly I can return them but if there isn't that much difference I wont bother.

I don't mind white color but It would bug me if they started looking blue. I've looked at the color charts and it seems 5000k is where the light starts looking blue.

 

[pattenp]

I like the 5000K in a garage/shop. It's what I have. They don't look blue to me.

 

[tapered-pin]

I don't see blue until about 6200 plus.

same here..

to my eyes (and in my shop) the 5000s (might even be 5400s) are white (not yellow at all)

 

[Platonic Solid]

As long as you don't mix color temps you probably won't notice. If you have 4000K task lighting it will be obvious, but then again, I assume we're talking about a workshop/garage and not a showroom.

 

[barnee]

Thanks for all the input, I think Ill keep them since they came from California and I didn't want to go through the hassle of a return unless there was a significant difference. Its a typical garage shop, I have no car that I would want to display.

Still might give the vendor some hell. Maybe Ill get a refrigerator magnet from them.

 

[firworks]

I have 5000K and 4000K mixed in my garage. Once all the lights are on it really isn't noticeable. At least I don't think. Since they don't all start up exactly the same you do notice it when you power them up.

 

[4cyclic]

I got 5000k for my shop, and not too blue.

 

[Bert_]

To give you a bit of an idea 4000K is close to the color of direct sunshine, and 5000K would be closer to the color light on a cloudy day.

 

[Mr. T]

Unless you are far out on either end of the color temp scale your eyes adjust and see pretty much the same thing. You'd have to directly compare to notice.

 

[Mr. T]

To give you a bit of an idea 4000K is close to the color of direct sunshine, and 5000K would be closer to the color light on a cloudy day.

Actually 5600K is the standard for "daylight balanced" color temperature for film. But it's kind of an average for most of the filmable day.

 

[rburke65]

The difference would be .....1000k. I'm sorry....I had to.

 

[Showkey]

The difference would be .....1000k. I'm sorry....I had to.

It's the best answer so far...........

 

[ForceFed70]

I'd opt for the 5000K. To me 4000K is a little "yellow".

5000K is "normal" for stores, office space, etc.
4000K is normal for warm spaces like living rooms, bedrooms, etc.

In my book = 5000K for working, 4000K for relaxing

 

[yeldogt]

Actually -- good Halogen light is around 3000k -- regular incandescent maxes out around around 2700K. Cool white pushes past 4000k -- daylight higher still.

You would be surprised how much nicer a 3000k spot vs a 4000k spot is at night... we are accustomed to working around 4000k cool white only when the whole space is lit.

I actually like a mix in my studio -- but find working under 3000 -- 4000 the best ... and prefer the lower scale near bright halogen. As you age having too bright a source can be a problem -- and especially with 5000k - 6000k.

Because of my work in the textile industry -- I often have had to work in special lighting conditions for color accuracy. Working with 6500k at reduced lumens is the best IMO. Unfortunately hard to achieve with stock lights -- can be taxing on the eyes for long periods if too bright.

I have a few 6500 in my studio that I turn on when I want to adjust color.

 

[cybrdyke]

I'd opt for the 5000K. To me 4000K is a little "yellow".

5000K is "normal" for stores, office space, etc.
4000K is normal for warm spaces like living rooms, bedrooms, etc.

In my book = 5000K for working, 4000K for relaxing

Things must be different in B.C.
It's not this way in US. 5000k is typically used in workshops. Factories, warehouses are split between 4000k and 5000k. Office space is almost all 4000k. Schools are almost all 4000k. Retail is almost all 4000k. Hospitals and other medical are split between 4000k and 5000k.
Living spaces are 2700k or 3000k.
CD

 

[American Locomotive]

I've seen many newer installs switching to higher color temperatures. Or maybe it just appears that way after they finished replacing all their yellowed plastic lenses on their fixtures with more modern stuff.

 

[regguy1]

I like the 6500K, here is a photo

 

[Bert_]

I'd opt for the 5000K. To me 4000K is a little "yellow".

5000K is "normal" for stores, office space, etc.
4000K is normal for warm spaces like living rooms, bedrooms, etc.

In my book = 5000K for working, 4000K for relaxing

Maybe it's a regional thing but I have never seen 5000K in an office. Personally I think it would be terrible. I usually put in 3500K for a space like that.

 

[yeldogt]

I like the 6500K, here is a photo

Who makes the bulbs ?

That would be too bright for me .. but as I said above .. having some is nice.

 

[Showkey]

Things must be different in B.C.
It's not this way in US. 5000k is typically used in workshops. Factories, warehouses are split between 4000k and 5000k. Office space is almost all 4000k. Schools are almost all 4000k. Retail is almost all 4000k. Hospitals and other medical are split between 4000k and 5000k.
Living spaces are 2700k or 3000k.
CD

Another good answer..........

 

[revamped]

I think it's more important to have a higher CRI if you run 5k. I bought 1 5k and it felt too harsh with my wall colors so I ordered the other 5 in 4k and my walls and colors look better. I am keeping my 1 5k over my engine bay area above the lift for details. I have a high bay thread that shows the difference... but I think most people that don't compare to their color situation wouldn't care either way...

 

[PhysicsDude]

I have 4000K, 4500K, and 5000K LED bulbs/fixtures all throughout my house. I think the variance between manufacturers of "4000K" fixtures is often larger than the difference between 4000K and 5000K. Some of the 5000K bulbs/fixtures I've received are pretty obviously 6000K or 6500K, and some of the "4000K" bulbs/fixtures I've received are pretty obviously 3000K. I doubt the factories in China really care that much.

In any case, 4000K-5000K all look pretty similar. I wouldn't worry about it at all. I personally prefer 4000K in a living space and 5000K in a shop, but I wouldn't sweat it if I got a 4000K instead of a 5000K or visa versa.

 

[barnee]

I'm going to stick with the 5k.

My current issue is that UPS delivered 5 of the 7 boxes of lights and frames and said that the other two boxes didn't fit on the truck and they would be back later with the other boxes. Two days later and still no boxes, and the tracking says that the order was delivered. Didn't sign anything and already notified the shipper.