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<blockquote data-quote="WayneF" data-source="post: 284433" data-attributes="member: 12496">Shutter speed is only an issue with older magnetic ballast.&nbsp; Compact CFL (and desk lamps, and many newer ceiling installations today) use electronic ballast, so that instead of the frequency being 60 HZ, today might be like 20,000 Hz (and will not cause any shutter speed issue).&nbsp;&nbsp; You can test old fluorescents for flicker.&nbsp;&nbsp; I would suggest a shutter speed of 1/200 second (60% of one 1/120 cycle - a difficult case).&nbsp; Do NOT use Auto WB, and take maybe five pictures (of the lighted bulb itself is OK). Random color differences in some pictures is flicker, typically towards brown.&nbsp; But if all the color is the same, but is simply off, that is not flicker, it is instead just white balance.But yes, the non-continuous spectrum of fluorescents (including CFL) is a problem, and is certainly doing color the hard way.Fluorescent bulbs are rated with CRI (Color Rendering Index, how well they are able to reproduce a spectrum of colors).&nbsp; Incandescent bulbs are the standard (continuous spectrum), rated 100 CRI by definition.&nbsp; High CRI for fluorscents is at least 80 or more, and these are almost acceptable except for very critical work.&nbsp; Avoid those that do not mention CRI.&nbsp; Also avoid those your wife complains that she cannot use to judge the colors of her clothing.&nbsp; Try the photography with incandescent lamps, or with flash.&nbsp; These simply do color better (i.e., proper White Balance works).</blockquote>

[QUOTE="WayneF, post: 284433, member: 12496"] Shutter speed is only an issue with older magnetic ballast. Compact CFL (and desk lamps, and many newer ceiling installations today) use electronic ballast, so that instead of the frequency being 60 HZ, today might be like 20,000 Hz (and will not cause any shutter speed issue). You can test old fluorescents for flicker. I would suggest a shutter speed of 1/200 second (60% of one 1/120 cycle - a difficult case). Do NOT use Auto WB, and take maybe five pictures (of the lighted bulb itself is OK). Random color differences in some pictures is flicker, typically towards brown. But if all the color is the same, but is simply off, that is not flicker, it is instead just white balance. But yes, the non-continuous spectrum of fluorescents (including CFL) is a problem, and is certainly doing color the hard way. Fluorescent bulbs are rated with CRI (Color Rendering Index, how well they are able to reproduce a spectrum of colors). Incandescent bulbs are the standard (continuous spectrum), rated 100 CRI by definition. High CRI for fluorscents is at least 80 or more, and these are almost acceptable except for very critical work. Avoid those that do not mention CRI. Also avoid those your wife complains that she cannot use to judge the colors of her clothing. Try the photography with incandescent lamps, or with flash. These simply do color better (i.e., proper White Balance works). [/QUOTE]

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