below is a picture comparing color obtained with the LCD method and the above 12 A/ft^2 method. (SCD)
As you can see, the color obtained from LCD is very comparable to that obtained by 20 minutes of SCD anodizing. 45 minutes of SCD is darker than both. This is something I've noticed in all of these tests: 12A/ft^2 tends to produce a deeper, richer color than the LCD does. How does this relate to pore size/coating density? I don't really know. Again, having no means to measure this, I can only theorize at this point.
Fiber, I agree that I need a method to measure coating thickness. If I sent you some of these test pieces, would you be able to measure the anodized layer thickness?