Suggestions for a softbox required? at DVinfo.net

Aaron Koolen · February 26th, 2004, 03:01 PM

Hi guys. As mentioned in another thread I'm going to be doing some interviews in a few weeks. Want to chuck a Fresnel into a softbox for key but was wondering what you'd all suggest as a good size. I've been suggested the Chimera Daylight Junior Plus but that's a whopping 90cm x 120cm! Sounds rather massive to me. Would lighting people require something this large? It will be mainly medium->close shots.

Cheers
Aaron

Kris Carrillo · February 26th, 2004, 05:30 PM

Keep in mind: The larger the source, the softer the shadow. If you want a really soft key, then it would make sense to get a larger chimera. I use a medium Photoflex Silverdome for interviews which is around 24" by 36". Also, the the distance between the subject and the softbox will change the relative size of the source as well. Good luck,

Kris
WCTV 56

Jeff Patnaude · February 27th, 2004, 09:58 AM

I work for a corporate production house, and we have the Chimera Video Pro banks. I think they are about the same- 24" by 36". They work great. Very versatile.

You didn't mention what size the Fresnel light was however. Depending how loose you are shooting, you could get away with a white card for fill and a small backlight.

Jeff Patnaude

Barry Schmetter · February 27th, 2004, 02:56 PM

I have a Photoflex Silverdome that's the same size (3 X 4 feet). Although a little unwieldy in a tight space, it's a great size and very useful for close-medium shots. As mentioned, the larger the source, the softer the light. You can make the light from a large softbox harder by moving it further from the subject or removing the diffusion baffle. A larger box will also do much better covering a 2-shot.

Barry S.

Aaron Koolen · February 27th, 2004, 05:57 PM

Jeff, sorry. I was thinking of using something like an Arri 650W fresnel as my standard key for now.

Cheers
Aaro

Jeff Patnaude · February 27th, 2004, 08:13 PM

Aron,
might not look bad to use a little opal diffusion on the 650 for a key light, and a bounce card for fill. The opal will soften the light a little, causing it to wrap around a little.
You can place the 650 at an upwards angle into a 4x4 piece of foamcore for a key light, and a reflector for fill. Experiment.

Good luck to you.

Jeff

Bryan Beasleigh · February 28th, 2004, 10:41 AM

Photflex makes a Cinedome which has a longer throat , designed specifically for fresnels.

To quote the site "The Cinedome has a narrower, deeper profile designed to maximize the light projection of your Fresnel lights."

http://www.photoflex.com/photoflex/index.html

click on "products"
on "Softboxes for hot lights"
then on "CineDome"

The CineDome will maximize the lighting with a fresnel yet be entirely usable with any standard fixture as well. The SilverDome won't as the light beam will bypass the reflective walls for the most part.

I don't think there's much difference in the cost.

Barry Schmetter · February 28th, 2004, 11:58 PM

I have a Cinedome as well as the Silverdome and the difference in light quality is very small. This is with an Arri 650 although I tend to use a Tota-750 in the soft banks. The Cinedome is much bulkier and generally a bigger pain in interiors. The Arri 650 in the Silverdome is plenty soft, even with the internal baffle removed.

Barry S.

Bryan Beasleigh · February 29th, 2004, 02:39 PM

I agree with Barry. You can even buy an HIR650 bulb that will give the equivilent light of a 1000 watt lamp. It costs about 50% more but draws a lot less

February 26th, 2004, 03:01 PM	#1
Aaron Koolen Trustee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,727	Suggestions for a softbox required? Hi guys. As mentioned in another thread I'm going to be doing some interviews in a few weeks. Want to chuck a Fresnel into a softbox for key but was wondering what you'd all suggest as a good size. I've been suggested the Chimera Daylight Junior Plus but that's a whopping 90cm x 120cm! Sounds rather massive to me. Would lighting people require something this large? It will be mainly medium->close shots. Cheers Aaron __________________ My Website Meat Free Media

February 27th, 2004, 05:57 PM	#5
Aaron Koolen Trustee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,727	Jeff, sorry. I was thinking of using something like an Arri 650W fresnel as my standard key for now. Cheers Aaro __________________ My Website Meat Free Media

February 26th, 2004, 05:30 PM	#2
Kris Carrillo Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 28	Keep in mind: The larger the source, the softer the shadow. If you want a really soft key, then it would make sense to get a larger chimera. I use a medium Photoflex Silverdome for interviews which is around 24" by 36". Also, the the distance between the subject and the softbox will change the relative size of the source as well. Good luck, Kris WCTV 56

February 27th, 2004, 09:58 AM	#3
Jeff Patnaude Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Duluth, Georgia Posts: 248	I work for a corporate production house, and we have the Chimera Video Pro banks. I think they are about the same- 24" by 36". They work great. Very versatile. You didn't mention what size the Fresnel light was however. Depending how loose you are shooting, you could get away with a white card for fill and a small backlight. Jeff Patnaude

February 27th, 2004, 02:56 PM	#4
Barry Schmetter Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Washington DC Posts: 38	I have a Photoflex Silverdome that's the same size (3 X 4 feet). Although a little unwieldy in a tight space, it's a great size and very useful for close-medium shots. As mentioned, the larger the source, the softer the light. You can make the light from a large softbox harder by moving it further from the subject or removing the diffusion baffle. A larger box will also do much better covering a 2-shot. Barry S.

February 27th, 2004, 08:13 PM	#6
Jeff Patnaude Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Duluth, Georgia Posts: 248	Aron, might not look bad to use a little opal diffusion on the 650 for a key light, and a bounce card for fill. The opal will soften the light a little, causing it to wrap around a little. You can place the 650 at an upwards angle into a 4x4 piece of foamcore for a key light, and a reflector for fill. Experiment. Good luck to you. Jeff

February 28th, 2004, 10:41 AM	#7
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	Photflex makes a Cinedome which has a longer throat , designed specifically for fresnels. To quote the site "The Cinedome has a narrower, deeper profile designed to maximize the light projection of your Fresnel lights." http://www.photoflex.com/photoflex/index.html click on "products" on "Softboxes for hot lights" then on "CineDome" The CineDome will maximize the lighting with a fresnel yet be entirely usable with any standard fixture as well. The SilverDome won't as the light beam will bypass the reflective walls for the most part. I don't think there's much difference in the cost.

February 28th, 2004, 11:58 PM	#8
Barry Schmetter Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Washington DC Posts: 38	I have a Cinedome as well as the Silverdome and the difference in light quality is very small. This is with an Arri 650 although I tend to use a Tota-750 in the soft banks. The Cinedome is much bulkier and generally a bigger pain in interiors. The Arri 650 in the Silverdome is plenty soft, even with the internal baffle removed. Barry S.

February 29th, 2004, 02:39 PM	#9
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	I agree with Barry. You can even buy an HIR650 bulb that will give the equivilent light of a 1000 watt lamp. It costs about 50% more but draws a lot less