Rifa Lights and egg crate solutions??? at DVinfo.net

Jerry Porter · June 19th, 2009, 08:44 AM

I have several Lowel Rifa lights of varying sizes and LOVE them! They put off a wonderful soft light that is very pleasing to work with just about every where. But they can get a bit unruly and spill light on places you don't need or want it sometimes. The solution of course is egg crates, but man Lowel is proud of theirs. Any options for some more affordable solutions?

Garrett Low · June 19th, 2009, 08:55 AM

I'm totally with you on this one Jerry. I'd also be really interested to know if there are any solutions on the cheap that anyone has come up with.

Garrett

Warren Kawamoto · June 20th, 2009, 03:32 AM

DIY? Use thin foamcore rectangle pieces, cut slots in them, assemble them together to make a very light, yet rigid egg crate.

Daniel Epstein · June 21st, 2009, 09:09 AM

There are aftermarket cloth grid solutions for Chimeras. You mmight be able to rig them on the Rifa. Check out Photoflex to see if they have a size which fits your Rifa. You can also just plan on using a solid flags to control spill from the light as well

Jonathan Plotkin · July 4th, 2009, 09:54 AM

I've tried several 3rd party eggcrates, including Photoflex. Nothing fits the Rifas, mostly because they're a different shape (square instead of rectangular). The same problem applies to gels by the way. Lowel gels for the Rifa are very expensive compared to gel cuts from the big manufacturers that fit rectangular softboxes just fine. I've ended up buying full rolls of gels when needed...

Daniel Epstein · July 4th, 2009, 10:57 AM

Well this goes to show that you are not just buying a light but a system and manufacturers make all sorts of proprietary choices which lock you into buying what works for their lights. Lighttools seems to have one (probably make it for Lowel)

Lighttools® - The source of Lighttools® Soft Egg Crates® for complete soft light control.

Not sure how much money you can save by buying an aftermarket solution. May be worth contacting Photoflex and asking if they are coming out with one.

Jerry Porter · July 6th, 2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan Plotkin

I've tried several 3rd party eggcrates, including Photoflex. Nothing fits the Rifas, mostly because they're a different shape (square instead of rectangular). The same problem applies to gels by the way. Lowel gels for the Rifa are very expensive compared to gel cuts from the big manufacturers that fit rectangular softboxes just fine. I've ended up buying full rolls of gels when needed...

The egg crates I can understand (almost) on the cost as everyone for almost every gird wants a pretty penny for them, but the gel thing gets under my skin a little, 100 bucks for three gels for the 88..... That seems unreasonable to me and I do the same thing you do for that. Through some experimenting I have found that a large cardboard flag set up with my Lobo on a separate stand (I have lots of those around) will accomplish the job for the most part. Just goes to show that almost anything can be fixed with some Duct (Gaffers) tape and cardboard.... LOL

Dan Brockett · July 6th, 2009, 08:30 AM

I generally like the Rifas but that is the one thing that I really dislike about them, the cost of their egg crates. Now, sure, the five egg crates that I bought for all of my Chimeras weren't cheap either but at least the smalls are 24 x 36 instead of the measley 24 x 24 that you pay even more for for a small Rifa.

I think a lot of people forget about this with the Rifas as well. A 2' x 2' isn't as soft of a source as a small Chimera either, it is going to be harsher and more specular. A lot to like about the Rifas but I prefer my Chimeras and a 650 instead although if you are flying, the Rifas aren't bad at all.

Dan

Brian Luce · March 4th, 2010, 11:17 PM

Westcott is also extremely "Proud" of their egg crates. Wow. Calling Mumbai e-bay...
Anyone have an angle on affordable solutions?

Jerry Porter · March 5th, 2010, 06:31 AM

I still have not found a solution save for flagging them with foam core. I did find a gel solution from a local lighting house.48 inch wide by 25 foot long roll of half blue for 160 dollars.

Dan Brockett · March 5th, 2010, 09:34 AM

I know three pros with the Rifas. All have stepped up to the plate and paid for the Lowel egg crates for them. Have not seen anything less expensive.

D

Ben Ruffell · March 5th, 2010, 02:17 PM

I have the eggcrates for my Rifa's. They are expensive, but they are necessary.

Ben Ruffell

Peter Mayo · May 22nd, 2011, 10:01 PM

Hi
I have Lighttools Soft Egg Crates for Rifa 55 and Rifa 88 for sale.
The lights are sold but I still have the egg crates. They are in perfect condition.
Happy to sell for 75% of Lighttools on-line price.
Please email me at peter_at_room8_dot_co_dot_nz

June 19th, 2009, 08:44 AM	#1
Jerry Porter Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Satellite Beach, Fl Posts: 784	Rifa Lights and egg crate solutions??? I have several Lowel Rifa lights of varying sizes and LOVE them! They put off a wonderful soft light that is very pleasing to work with just about every where. But they can get a bit unruly and spill light on places you don't need or want it sometimes. The solution of course is egg crates, but man Lowel is proud of theirs. Any options for some more affordable solutions?

May 22nd, 2011, 10:01 PM	#13
Peter Mayo Tourist Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 1	Re: Rifa Lights and egg crate solutions??? Hi I have Lighttools Soft Egg Crates for Rifa 55 and Rifa 88 for sale. The lights are sold but I still have the egg crates. They are in perfect condition. Happy to sell for 75% of Lighttools on-line price. Please email me at peter_at_room8_dot_co_dot_nz

June 19th, 2009, 08:55 AM	#2
Garrett Low Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Novato, CA Posts: 1,774	I'm totally with you on this one Jerry. I'd also be really interested to know if there are any solutions on the cheap that anyone has come up with. Garrett

June 20th, 2009, 03:32 AM	#3
Warren Kawamoto Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,435	DIY? Use thin foamcore rectangle pieces, cut slots in them, assemble them together to make a very light, yet rigid egg crate.

June 21st, 2009, 09:09 AM	#4
Daniel Epstein Trustee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,267	There are aftermarket cloth grid solutions for Chimeras. You mmight be able to rig them on the Rifa. Check out Photoflex to see if they have a size which fits your Rifa. You can also just plan on using a solid flags to control spill from the light as well

July 4th, 2009, 09:54 AM	#5
Jonathan Plotkin Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 122	I've tried several 3rd party eggcrates, including Photoflex. Nothing fits the Rifas, mostly because they're a different shape (square instead of rectangular). The same problem applies to gels by the way. Lowel gels for the Rifa are very expensive compared to gel cuts from the big manufacturers that fit rectangular softboxes just fine. I've ended up buying full rolls of gels when needed...

July 4th, 2009, 10:57 AM	#6
Daniel Epstein Trustee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,267	Well this goes to show that you are not just buying a light but a system and manufacturers make all sorts of proprietary choices which lock you into buying what works for their lights. Lighttools seems to have one (probably make it for Lowel) Lighttools® - The source of Lighttools® Soft Egg Crates® for complete soft light control. Not sure how much money you can save by buying an aftermarket solution. May be worth contacting Photoflex and asking if they are coming out with one.

July 6th, 2009, 08:30 AM	#8
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	I generally like the Rifas but that is the one thing that I really dislike about them, the cost of their egg crates. Now, sure, the five egg crates that I bought for all of my Chimeras weren't cheap either but at least the smalls are 24 x 36 instead of the measley 24 x 24 that you pay even more for for a small Rifa. I think a lot of people forget about this with the Rifas as well. A 2' x 2' isn't as soft of a source as a small Chimera either, it is going to be harsher and more specular. A lot to like about the Rifas but I prefer my Chimeras and a 650 instead although if you are flying, the Rifas aren't bad at all. Dan

March 4th, 2010, 11:17 PM	#9
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	Westcott is also extremely "Proud" of their egg crates. Wow. Calling Mumbai e-bay... Anyone have an angle on affordable solutions?

March 5th, 2010, 06:31 AM	#10
Jerry Porter Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Satellite Beach, Fl Posts: 784	I still have not found a solution save for flagging them with foam core. I did find a gel solution from a local lighting house.48 inch wide by 25 foot long roll of half blue for 160 dollars.

March 5th, 2010, 09:34 AM	#11
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	I know three pros with the Rifas. All have stepped up to the plate and paid for the Lowel egg crates for them. Have not seen anything less expensive. D

March 5th, 2010, 02:17 PM	#12
Ben Ruffell Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Queenstown, New Zealand Posts: 117	I have the eggcrates for my Rifa's. They are expensive, but they are necessary. Ben Ruffell