Hardware Store Clamp On Lamps for Location/Indoor Shoots at DVinfo.net

Hugh DiMauro · June 6th, 2003, 10:27 AM

Has anybody ever tried utilizing hardware store style clamp on lamps, regular everyday tungsten household bulbs and the 5, 81/2 and 10 inch reflectors for location/indoor video shoots? I believe you can get bulb wattages starting at 40 all the way up to 300 watts without having to spend a firtune on photofloods at the photo supply joints. What were your results? I am vascillating between purchasing these as opposed to the expensive models at photo stores. Thanks for any and all help.

John Threat · June 7th, 2003, 06:10 PM

The results are fantastic. The price they charge for umbrellas and photofloods is what the market will bare, but in reality, you can get the same tools for much cheaper at hardware or lighting stores.

Bryan Beasleigh · June 7th, 2003, 08:00 PM

I would say you can get by with the clamp on reflectors. It sure beats no lighting at all but regardless of opinions , you do get what you pay for.
Specialty lighting is a small market and prices will be higher. Look at what we pay for our cameras.

You can even buy barn doors for some of these cheapo aluminum reflectors. Look around, they make adapters so that you can mount the clamp on fixture to a light stand. With a little imagination you can have a ball. There a whole whack of reasonably priced adapters and clamps that will allow you to use these lights with reflecting umbrellas, fix them to stands and clamp them to almost anything. (The supplied clamps are scary stuff) It's a place to start, pretty soon you'll want better, more controlable lights.

The color temps won't be right on but who cares, just do a white balance and have fun.

If you buy stands, don't buy cheap crap. You'll just have to spend that much more to upgrade.

I'm speaking from experience, 35 years ago I couldn't affort the high end stuff. If I hadn't experimented I wouldn't have learned anything.

Harry Settle · June 7th, 2003, 08:12 PM

I haven't used tungstens with them, but, I have tried some of the better compact fluorescent bulbs with good results.

John Threat · June 7th, 2003, 08:36 PM

Halogens are always nice for a real hot spot for high contrast dramatic fall off.

June 6th, 2003, 10:27 AM	#1
Hugh DiMauro Trustee Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,207	Hardware Store Clamp On Lamps for Location/Indoor Shoots Has anybody ever tried utilizing hardware store style clamp on lamps, regular everyday tungsten household bulbs and the 5, 81/2 and 10 inch reflectors for location/indoor video shoots? I believe you can get bulb wattages starting at 40 all the way up to 300 watts without having to spend a firtune on photofloods at the photo supply joints. What were your results? I am vascillating between purchasing these as opposed to the expensive models at photo stores. Thanks for any and all help.

June 7th, 2003, 08:12 PM	#4
Harry Settle Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bemidji, MN Posts: 276	I haven't used tungstens with them, but, I have tried some of the better compact fluorescent bulbs with good results. __________________ "DOH"!!!

June 7th, 2003, 06:10 PM	#2
John Threat Major Player Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York Posts: 322	The results are fantastic. The price they charge for umbrellas and photofloods is what the market will bare, but in reality, you can get the same tools for much cheaper at hardware or lighting stores.

June 7th, 2003, 08:00 PM	#3
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	I would say you can get by with the clamp on reflectors. It sure beats no lighting at all but regardless of opinions , you do get what you pay for. Specialty lighting is a small market and prices will be higher. Look at what we pay for our cameras. You can even buy barn doors for some of these cheapo aluminum reflectors. Look around, they make adapters so that you can mount the clamp on fixture to a light stand. With a little imagination you can have a ball. There a whole whack of reasonably priced adapters and clamps that will allow you to use these lights with reflecting umbrellas, fix them to stands and clamp them to almost anything. (The supplied clamps are scary stuff) It's a place to start, pretty soon you'll want better, more controlable lights. The color temps won't be right on but who cares, just do a white balance and have fun. If you buy stands, don't buy cheap crap. You'll just have to spend that much more to upgrade. I'm speaking from experience, 35 years ago I couldn't affort the high end stuff. If I hadn't experimented I wouldn't have learned anything.

June 7th, 2003, 08:36 PM	#5
John Threat Major Player Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York Posts: 322	Halogens are always nice for a real hot spot for high contrast dramatic fall off.