brighter LEDs

Rebuilt my custom red LED desk lamp. I had originally thought that low-output standard translucent 5mm red LEDs would be plenty bright enough for small desk lamp. But, unfortunately, the output is way too low.

Took a reading with my old camera gear Capital hand-held light meter at 1" in a darkened room with the white dome in place: the EV rating is approx. 3.

Used some of the mini dome LEDs I found before, for the light box project. These seem brighter. And they have a wider dispersion pattern.

Light reading after: approx. 3.

Hmmm...