Pendant light and extendable dining table

If you already have Hue in use, the Ensis would be an alternative. Friends just installed it. Very nice light distribution and adjustment options. With Shellys in the normal switches, it can also be operated "classically".

I would invest in the normal situation and not make an expensive compromise for a few evenings a year. For the special situation where the table is extended, there are enough other solutions, for example with a [hinzugezogen im Bogenlampe] or a battery lamp like [aller Salt & Pepper von Tobias Rau]. For many occasions, the good old candles are also wonderful.

Light should be sufficient even without an "extension", right?!
What do people do with only one central pendant light?

Friends of ours can also center their table directly under the light even when extended, so at least it looks balanced again and is reasonably illuminated. That’s not possible for us. It probably always depends on the type of light source. A lamp right at the ceiling will always provide sufficient lighting, whereas a low-hanging pendant light tends to provide sufficient light only in a limited area.

Make sure to use a lamp that doesn't only shine straight down. For example, we have a hanging lamp consisting of 3 lamp parts made of "white glass/frosted glass". With the appropriate bulb, they also emit light well to the sides when the table is extended.

Would you perhaps have a photo or a link to the lamp? Thanks! Sounds interesting

I otherwise use a mobile arch lamp that usually stands by the reading chair.

Good idea. Yes, we also want to get one of those; you could then move it as needed.

A lamp mounted high on the ceiling will always provide sufficient overall lighting, while a low-hanging pendant lamp rather only provides sufficient light in specific spots.

I understand that. But don’t you think you’re making the problem of “harmonious lighting” a bit bigger than it is with “just pulling it out” if you try to adapt your one lamp to it? It’s not like you say that on one side there would be “no light” at all.
I have another tip: a hook 50 cm next to the lamp connection, and then “move” the lamp on the cable there for the evening.