The parametrized models are compared with counter-intuitive consequences of the non-relativistic Schrödinger treatment. For both 4f^{ q}, 5f^{ q} and d^{9} systems in condensed matter, the energy levels must be strongly influenced by correlation effects. The parametrization of intensities is conceptually very different for f^{ q} and d^{9} compounds. The bandwidths of absorption and luminescence are discussed and related to the Born-Oppenheimer factorization