"Sinister Light" Follow-Up
 

A while back, I posted a thread called "Sinister Light," in which I asked for - and got - help on a lighting issue for a short.

The piece is complete and on the way to potential distributors, but I thought I'd post a link to the trailer, so anyone interested could take a look at the end result.

http://www.rustywilliamsvideo.com/onlinetrailer.wmv

WARNING: The language in the video is VERY harsh!

Thanks again for all the help!

-Rusty-

I like the way it turned out. Good luck with distribution!

lowel fren-L 650
 

was wondering if anyone has any experience w/ the lowel fren'L 650? thanks!

Yep, I've got a three light kit. Work great, very good quality light. Only draw back is when you put three of them with stands, cords, extensions, dimmers, gels and frames in a box, it takes two people to move it! Not really but they are fairly large instruments to be moving around a lot. I would not recommend for run/gun type stuff but would be a great selection for a shoot where you'll be there for a while

pro light
 

Im not completely sure about oncam from the ab powetap but do know you could get the ab belt you can slide a hytron into and power from, I power my pros in the field with a 30/13 belt and the adapter and the dc bulb...of course i have never tried off the powertap but if theres a way im sure there is a adapter.

you might call bh a board sponser if there is a adapter they would know...

Lowel DPs for DV?
 

Can you use <500W bulbs in a DP fixture? I'd like to have a 250W option as I fear 500w may be too hot most of the time... should I stick to PROs and VIPs? or get into DPs and TOTAs?

http://www.lowel.com/dp/dp_b.html#info

Lowel publishes all the info at the link below. The DP is 500 -750-1000 watt. Bill Pryor swears by the DP and he's been in fil and video for years. Rumour has it that he started with a flat rock and a chisel (a loooooong time ago)

What lights you get should be influenced by your subject matter. Do you want hard or soft light, for large or small areas, etc?

I use soft lights with low wattage focused accents.

The DP or Tota work well in softboxes. The omni would be fine in a small box

www.photoflex.com
www.chimera.com

The tota by itself is hard to control and will give you broad and ven coverage. The DP can be more easily controlled. The Omni can be lamped at 300 to 500 watts and can be focused but not as well as a fresnel

For lower wattage accents (hair,back light etc) use a lowel prolight or something like the Arri 300 watt fresnel.

It depends on what you will be lighting. For a one or two person interview a 750watt tota in a softbox with a reflector for fill and a 300 watt fresnel or 250 watt pro as a kicker or back light.

I'd love to buy more lights but people balk when it starts to look like center ring under the big top.

I figure 2 medium, one small softbox and two accents would be smurfy.

You don't have to go nuts.
Start with one key light and use an umbrella to soften. Fill with a collapseable reflector.
You can then go on to buy more.

There are several schools of thought. Mine is buy quality and buy as you can afford them. Some buy less durable stuff and claim to be content. To each their own ;--))

I belive this is the one i have, works good for me. Even worked ok for some cheap small chip panasonic had till it broke.
http://www.adorama.com/BOKLK50XT.html

It's a pain to carry around though.

Lowel quartz D's
 

the big old yellow ones... talked to Lowel and was told that the only difference between them and the DPs was the yellow and that they're corded. They also said that for $75 they'd convert them to removable cords... anyone know of any limitations to them? 500w minimum?

Light kit for weddings: which one to pick? Can I build one?
 

What is the basic light kit for weddings considering that an assistant will do the job?

Instead of buying, can I build one, with cables, reflectors, batteries, etc? Any information about homebuilt light kits?

By the way, do you know any GOOD resource that talks about how to start a wedding video company and techniques also?

Hail DVINFO!

I"ve never shot a wedding where a light kit would have done any good. They don't want equipment in the auditorium and they normally don't want a lot of light in a reception. At least in the U.S.

I use a softbox with an on-camera light if I can. Frequently the bride wants no extra light at all.

That's when I kiss the PD150.

300 vs 420 Pepper
 

The difference in price for the 420 is only $20; however, the lamp in the 300 is more than 30% more expensive than the 420. Does this mean that the 300 gives a better quality light than the 420? or is it just one of those things that means nothing? Does anyone have experience with these two fresnels? Thanks in advance.

I've used the 420. Its a nice fresnel. I believe you can lamp this light with a 420 or a 200 watt globe.
So you have two fresnels in one.

In terms of light quality, once you pass the light through the pyrex glass, its going to be the same quality...hard. But much easier to cut than an open face.

Just be careful. Peppers generate a lot of heat.

Any reviews or users of Cool Lux SL 3000
 

I just bought one from BHPHOTO I know it's a little late now but I only found one sort of review on the net and here on this forum here.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6155&highlight=cool+lux

Just curious to see any other user experiances with the lighting cast and distances. Also the comment on that link says the battery pack is not that good wondering if it could be used with a better pack?

ANYone used UNOMAT LIGHT ???
 

Have anyone used or try this lighting system:-

http://www.unomat.de/org/english/vineleu/seite5.htm
http://www.unomat.de/org/english/vineleu/inhalt.htm

Please give me suggestion coz i planning getting one...

My setup: Xl1-s MA200

They might be OK if you're not shooting sound. I've only run across one light with a cooling fan in person, and it was too noisy to shoot around.

Thanks Bill, I haven’t seen the actual light in action, will the cool fan sound noisy during Event shot? Means not advisable to buy the light with cooling fun???

Differences lighting power voltages
 

Hi I very new to lighting, a very basic question that confusing me. Is the power supply (voltages) in USA and Asia (Malaysia) different? What is AC / DC stand for? I live in MALAYSIA, If ordering lighting kit from USA, which type of lighting kit I need to purchase? Are the power “same”? What Brand recommended? Thanks


Setup Xl1s, MA200

Andrew,
I don't know the standard voltage in Malaysia. But, around the world:

A/C = alternating current. This is the electricity supplied from your power company through an outlet or from a generator.

D/C = direct current. This is electricity supplied from a battery, such as common 12v batteries.

Here in the U.S. the standard a/c power supplied to most home and office outlets is 120 volts.

Thanks KEN

Let say I order Lowel lighting Kit from B&H, do l need to specify the voltage in my country which is 240 Volts or additional accessories adaptor for that.

On-cam light for wedding use
 

Hi, can anyone recommend an on-cam video light that would be suitable for shooting a wedding?

I have a small camcorder (panasonic gs100k), and would like to keep the price around the $100 mark. I've just started searching around, but would really appreciate some suggestions. Especially recommendations on wattage.

BTW, I would like something with a battery and that would last at least around an hour. Thanks in advance.

Here are pages of threads (found via "Search") in this section concerning wedding-related lighting and power. Make a pot of coffee and have at it!

A New Type of Light Bulb
 

While so far they're only talking about home lighting implementations, I wonder what the possibilities are for film and theatrical lighting? I also wonder what the color temperature is.

http://msn-cnet.com.com/Reinventing+...6906&tag=tg_ns

Dimming bright lilliput heads
 

I have a 3 head set of Lilliput lights (650watt) and they are bright as hell. Great for some applications, but way too bright for most indor situations. I can but lower 300watt bulbs, but is it possible to also purchase some kind of dimmer to adjust the brightness of the output? I checked and 300watt was the lowest bulbs they take.

Im based in the Uk.

focal spots and snoots
 

Hello:

I have an LTM Pepper (fresnel). I'm looking into getting either the focal spot or the snoots. I have found very little information on the subject. I'm wondering if anyone in the forum has experience with this as to which one to get. Thanks for any help in advance. Also, the focal spot is twice as expensive as the snoots.

Hi Allen,

could you tell us a bit more, like what you are trying to do and why
you think you need this stuff?

Thanks!

Very interesting. The U of M just got a grant to do Nano material creation
simulation. 160 duel 2gig Xserves will be crunching the simulations.
Looks like Nano technology is going to be ramping up and the possibilities
are exciting.

I thought this post might be about LED lights. IMHO, the light those
give off looks really ugly (grey).

Digital Lighting
 

Can I use my hardware store bought lights with my light kit? What kinds of gels should I use? If I can at all. I am using a XL1S and am in the learning stages. I have 3 tungsten lights that are too powerful so I want to use some normal (100 watt etc) practical light bulbs. Can I do this? What do I need. Hope this isn't a stupid question but I pose it anyway.

Thanks

You can use gels just fine. Best thing to do in your situation is to use 12"x12" gels and clip them on with wooden clothespins.

As to sources of gels try http://www.rosco.com

or

http://www.leefiltersusa.com

lee makes packs of 12"x12" gels in various assortments you can get them at http://www.filmtools.com

or

go to your local university or little theatre, if nearby, and ask for scraps.

I use those black binder clips to attach filters to my worklights. Works great. Try opal if you want a softer more even spread.

Nanotech LED research
 

Here's a press release about a collaboration between RPI and Evident Technologies to develop LED technology that incorporates quantum dot nanomaterials. If successful, the technology will feature "tunable" color properties.

http://tinyurl.com/3fr5l

Case for Sony 10/20W light?
 

For those who use the Sony HVL-20DW2 10/20Watt video light, what do you use for a case or wrap for this light? I want something to use to avoid scratches while transporting in my kit bag.
I generally use socks to protect small items like this.
Great on-camera light, by the way, and an excellent value.

How to light for Music Video Clips?
 

I know there isnt a certain answer for this question, but do you guys have general tips for lighting a music video clip?

I noticed that alot of video clips these days use Ring Flash/Light (you can see the reflection in the singer's glasses). I'd like some tips on that (Brands.. Best way to use them.. etc).

I've been watching "Behind the scenes" of the clips, and it's helping alot. But I also wanna hear your thoughts about this issue.

I believe that the "ring" light is a Kino Flo Kamio light. I think they are sold in a couple of sizes and can be powered from a 12v source. They are not cheap but are often rentable. Check Kino's site.

Lighting for music videos depends on many things. If it's a band, you
usually need some kind of stage set/location to capture the band's performance.
How you light it depends on the music, the location, the image you
are trying to get across, etc.

A single artist video can take you all over the place to many locations and
settings. Each of those has to be lighted as if it were a movie set.
This can take from minutes to hours to days for EACH setup and/or camera angle.
The lighting design can be anything from a single light for dramatic effect to
dozens (or hundreds) of instruments for grandeur. The main thing here
is to make the star look as good as possible. People with big noses or poor skin
are many times lighted with what's known as 'beauty lighting'.
That type of lighting is flat, soft, head on so it doesn't cast shadows
and a bit over exposed. Beauty lightng makes the nose disappear into the face,
the skin smoother and the eyes pop.

The circular light you've seen in the eyes of many solo artists (usually women)
like Ken T. said are Kine flo, though that is usually not the only
light used. Normally there will be an additional softbox(es), back light and
background lights as a single front light isn't the best look although a recent
Shania Twain video features a guy with a single on camera light circling
her. Of course with her looks you could also dress her in rags and she'd
still look awesome.

What cool bulbs would work in Lowel Mid-L?
 

I'm eyeing this kit for it small size. I like extremely low key, naturalistic lighting for narrative.

http://www.lowel.com/kits/l-lightMid-L.html

It state E26 base bulbs will fit, so I'm wondering if I can use flourescents for cool temps. Anyone use this kit?

Light Head Case/s?
 

I'm looking for the right case for 4 fresnel heads, (2) 650W - 10"w x 7.5"h x 8"d and (2) 300W - 8.5"w x 7"h x 7"d. These dims are looking from the front and include the focus arms, built-in scrim holder, etc. I've seen a couple of decent Cordura nylon soft cases that would hold them and some scrims, but I'm worried about having to replace a broken fresnel lens if the case should ever get a good knock.

I just want a case for the heads, cables and a few accessories - the stands have their own case.

Am I worrying needlessly, or do you guys use hard cases for your heads? I've seen Walter Graf's all-in-one wonder, but that doesn't make me feel any more confident.

If your worried, go with a hard shell case. It may be worth the peace of mind. I use a Pelican PCS104 . Its similar to what Walter Graff uses, only smaller. The 104 is well padded and seems very durable so far. The Pelican Hard Cases are much cheaper. I bought my 104 used on eBay and got a great deal.

non-textbook lighting methods
 

hello all,

I will be shooting some invterviews next week and they will be interior, most likely bar or nightclub enviroments (so fairly dark atmosphere)

Ive done many using 3-point based techniques and needless to say thats fairly boring, especially for the type of interviews what i will be doing. I want these to be more mood-like and theatrical than your average "talking-head" production.

Is there any literature online or published that anyone can reccomend? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advanced.

"Dirty Dozen" bamboo flares?
 

Okay, old-timers... here's a question for you. I was watching a "making of" show on "The Dirty Dozen" today and they showed several guys holding up what looked to be 10 to 15 foot high bamboo poles, and at the top end of them were what looked to be emergency flares...but probably not due to the short burn time of flares. They used it during the filming of the final Nazi Chateau scene--at night.

What are those things? And were they primarily for lighting or smoke?