Lamp for miniature painting: Neatfi XL

When it comes to choosing which lamp for painting miniatures to use, everyone thinks of one of those desk lamps with an articulated arm that can be purchased for a few euros, for example at Ikea. I have done this too, but have never been fully satisfied with it because the bell design tends to create a very concentrated spot light, resulting in a lot of shadows. Unless you want to use two and spend your time figuring out how to attach light-diffusing sheets to them, a different solution is needed.

As you may remember, I practice my hobby on a small desk against the wall, where I have fixed a shelf with a neon lamp underneath. Sometimes I also helped myself with an Ikea arm lamp, but in addition to the lighting defects mentioned so far, over time the arm also loosened a lot, making the lamp unstable. Lighting problems also for the neon light that inevitably placed at about 45 ° respect to the work area, creating annoying shadows on the hands and on the miniature.

I posed all these problems to Neatfi’s friends, who proposed me to try their Neatfi XL: a professional desk lamp with 2200 lumens and 117 LEDs arranged on a 22,83inches lamp.

Just looking at these photos you can easily realize how the situation has changed considerably, at least for the ease of directing the light where I want. In fact, the main problem of the previous lighting was the static nature of the neon lamp fixed under the shelf. It was inclined with respect to the work surface, creating sharp shadows and difficult to remove as it was fixed to the shelf.

With the long arm of the Neatfi XL, however, I can position the light wherever I want. Thus preferring a vertical position with respect to the point of interest, both for processing and for filming.

Neatfi XL description: a lamp for miniatures painting

The lamp is truly impressive presence. It is definitely much bigger than what I expected. As I said, it has a good 50 cm of LED lamp, enough to illuminate the entire worktop evenly. It has a color temperature of 5600-6000K with a CRI 80.

The materials are really good. The long arm is made of metal and has solid knots that allow the lamp to remain stable at the point where we decide to place it. The lamp, on the other hand, is made of shiny plastic. But let’s start in order by describing each single component:

The box

The packaging of the Neatfi lamp looks very good, compact and impact resistant. In fact, inside it has the classic polystyrene casing that guarantees stability and resistance even to the worst shocks.

The arm

Once opened, the lamp is practically ready for use, just fix the clamp to the work surface and connect the small transformer. As I said, the materials are of high quality and it is immediately perceived because the metal arm is able to lift and move the large lamp as you want, remaining stable and firm in the decided position.

The lamp

With 117 LEDs and 2200 lumens and, as already said, it has a color temperature of 5600-6000K with a CRI 80. As a lamp for painting miniatures it is fantastic! Until now I had used more light points (the neon, the Ikea lamp, the lamp above the shelf). This inevitably generated different and uneven lights, although I tried to use the same colors, the result was never optimal. The Neatfi desk lamp, on the other hand, has solved this problem because with a single large light point, it allows me to illuminate the entire desk in a homogeneous way.

The lamp has a single button which, when pressed in sequence, adjusts the brightness to 100%, 75%, 50% or 25%. However, it is not necessary to go around the limunosity to turn it off, just “double click” on the on / off button to turn off the lamp. If I really have to find a fault, I would say that it is this solution that I found a bit tricky. Perhaps it was more intuitive to use a switch for turning it on and off and two buttons for adjusting the dimmer. Exactly as it happens for other Neatfi lamps among other things.

Lamp for miniature painting Neafti XL: conclusions

I have been using it for several days now, I have tried to paint different subjects and I must say that as a lamp to paint miniatures, this Neatfi XL is an excellent solution. Especially for those who have been arguing with themselves for some time to find a solution to the lighting of their worktop and want a long-lasting quality product. I want to repeat: the Ikea lamp may be fine as a start, but it is still a spot light that generates a lot of shadows. If you want to work well and care about your eyes, a more professional long-term solution is a must. It is also a really beautiful design object. My desk has taken on a much more elegant look at home with this lamp, don’t you think?