Various lighting questions & answers from 2004

Richard Veil · March 1st, 2004, 09:01 PM

really.. what kind of stands are you talking about.

Lets put it this way.. What kind of stand do you want.?

Richard Veil · March 1st, 2004, 09:23 PM

What are you trying to do friend?

Bryan McCullough · March 1st, 2004, 10:54 PM

I plan on making a couple Griff Lights (I think that's right) this week and see how they do.

Jacques Mersereau · March 2nd, 2004, 09:46 AM

I read that article too and it is a superb example of a road kit
that was put together using years of actual experience.
I don't know if I could ever carry as much in as small a package,
but it let's you know what is actually possible.

A must read IMO.

Barry Rivadue · March 3rd, 2004, 05:14 PM

I have an Actiondome with a speedring designed for a Deedo. It's too small an opening for my Varilux, but I've gotten by with velcro. Would anyone have a more permanent adapter-type solution from a hardware store? I'm not mechanical minded, but I think I can follow instructions. :)

Mike Rehmus · March 3rd, 2004, 08:08 PM

Their setup (at least the one I bought) allowed me to mount the dome and the varilight pro together onto the camera. Didn't come with a ring.

Gary Walter · March 8th, 2004, 07:14 PM

I am looking to purchase an on-camera light for my XL1s and GL1. I like what Frezzi has to offer (eventhough expensive, I feel you get what you pay for) but am looking for opinions on other brands. I feel the dimmer option is a must and I will be shooting weddings (when allowed to use lifgting) and sporting events. The big question though is what batteries. I want to be able to get two - three hours of lighting per event and it looks like a battery belt is the only option. Any advice from the seasoned lighting guru's would be very helpful.

Thanks

Gary

Ken Tanaka · March 8th, 2004, 09:17 PM

This issue of DV features an article by Walter Graff on assembling a low-cost/highly mobile lighting kit that fits into a single (large) Kata bag. Well worth the read, particularly if you are a runner an' gunner.

At this writing the article is not yet on the DV.com site. There is generally a month delay.

Mike Rehmus · March 8th, 2004, 11:50 PM

Spend the money and get a HMI light. A NP-1B battery is said to run the Frezzi 18 watter for over 3 hours. Makes for a very light battery belt.

Tony Zubrowski · March 17th, 2004, 01:44 PM

I've searched though all these posts and still have a few questions regarding an on camera light for my PD170.

I shoot mostly weddings and a few other events. I feel strongly that I want a dimmable light with barn doors and filters. I'd love to buy the Frezzi Mini or micro but the total cost is prohibitive at the moment.

Have any of you used the NRG VARA-LITE PROF DC LIGHT #NR56001/56001? B&H suggested it as an option. They also suggested the BESCOR SLM-10ATM SLIMLINE 12v BATTERY BELT/REG #BESLM10ATM/SLM10ATM

The NRG is about $100 dollars less expensive than the Frezzi. It's supposed to color balance when dimmed also.

How heavy is this combo? How about the size of the light on the 170.

Have any of you used any of the Bescor lights. They have a couple that are dimmable.

If you have any suggestions on another kit that works well for you I'd like to know that as well.

Thanks
Tony Z
New Genesis Productions

Don Bloom · March 17th, 2004, 01:58 PM

I use a Bescor light and although it's not dimmable I made a softbox/diffuser for it and it works fine. 50W down to 20 with no appreciable color change. HOWEVER, I also use the Besor battery belt and a juice box with it. The juice box isn't too bad weight wise and the light will run 75-90 minutes with the juice box. The belt on the other hand will give me almost 3 hours of run time BUT it weighs about 15 lbs and by the end of the night my back hurts. They are lead acid batteries and last a long time but the trade off is the weight.
Don

Marco Leavitt · March 24th, 2004, 02:32 PM

Some time back I posted in hear that GE was developing a type "lighting wallpaper." They now have a picture of the prototype lighting a table of colorful ball on their Web site.

http://www.ge.com/stories/en/20147.h...ory=Innovation

Rob Lohman · March 25th, 2004, 03:09 AM

That's looking sweat! Together with ultrathin paper / cloth like
TV's / screens it is an interesting time we are heading into!

Barry Cheong · March 28th, 2004, 07:36 PM

I'm in the market for a light meter to be used mainly for 16mm production. Am thinking too of using it to check contrast and lighting ratios for my DV productions.

It's a toss up between the Sekonic 508C or 558C meters?

Just anyone have insight they could share?

Thanks

Carlos E. Martinez · April 10th, 2004, 04:54 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Barry Cheong : I'm in the market for a light meter to be used mainly for 16mm production. Am thinking too of using it to check contrast and lighting ratios for my DV productions.

It's a toss up between the Sekonic 508C or 558C meters?
-->>>

Are you used to working with incident light meters? Which was the one you learned with?

My first advice would be to pick that one.

If you are starting in incident light techniques pick the LM-398M with the direct disks and go to a much expensive one after you master it.

This advice is valid if you are going to use it for "normal" photography. If you are going to use on very low light scenes, you should certainly pick your best deal on any of the new ones.

Carlos

March 1st, 2004, 09:01 PM	#91
Richard Veil Chimera Lighting Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Santa Cruz CA Posts: 293	What the heck are you talking about.. really.. what kind of stands are you talking about. Lets put it this way.. What kind of stand do you want.? __________________ Strength and Honor RLV

March 1st, 2004, 09:23 PM	#92
Richard Veil Chimera Lighting Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Santa Cruz CA Posts: 293	Yea.. I know something about something What are you trying to do friend? __________________ Strength and Honor RLV

March 2nd, 2004, 09:46 AM	#94
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	I read that article too and it is a superb example of a road kit that was put together using years of actual experience. I don't know if I could ever carry as much in as small a package, but it let's you know what is actually possible. A must read IMO. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

March 3rd, 2004, 05:14 PM	#95
Barry Rivadue Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 508	Varilux/Photoflex Actiondome question I have an Actiondome with a speedring designed for a Deedo. It's too small an opening for my Varilux, but I've gotten by with velcro. Would anyone have a more permanent adapter-type solution from a hardware store? I'm not mechanical minded, but I think I can follow instructions. :)

March 3rd, 2004, 08:08 PM	#96
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Their setup (at least the one I bought) allowed me to mount the dome and the varilight pro together onto the camera. Didn't come with a ring. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

March 1st, 2004, 10:54 PM	#93
Bryan McCullough Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 842	I plan on making a couple Griff Lights (I think that's right) this week and see how they do.

March 8th, 2004, 07:14 PM	#97
Gary Walter New Boot Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Owatonna, Mn. U.S.A. Posts: 24	Versatile On-Camera Lighting I am looking to purchase an on-camera light for my XL1s and GL1. I like what Frezzi has to offer (eventhough expensive, I feel you get what you pay for) but am looking for opinions on other brands. I feel the dimmer option is a must and I will be shooting weddings (when allowed to use lifgting) and sporting events. The big question though is what batteries. I want to be able to get two - three hours of lighting per event and it looks like a battery belt is the only option. Any advice from the seasoned lighting guru's would be very helpful. Thanks Gary __________________ Misspelled? Hey, I'm just a truck driver.

March 8th, 2004, 09:17 PM	#98
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	DV Magazine (April, 2004) This issue of DV features an article by Walter Graff on assembling a low-cost/highly mobile lighting kit that fits into a single (large) Kata bag. Well worth the read, particularly if you are a runner an' gunner. At this writing the article is not yet on the DV.com site. There is generally a month delay. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

March 8th, 2004, 11:50 PM	#99
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Spend the money and get a HMI light. A NP-1B battery is said to run the Frezzi 18 watter for over 3 hours. Makes for a very light battery belt. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

March 17th, 2004, 01:44 PM	#100
Tony Zubrowski Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 32	Light I've searched though all these posts and still have a few questions regarding an on camera light for my PD170. I shoot mostly weddings and a few other events. I feel strongly that I want a dimmable light with barn doors and filters. I'd love to buy the Frezzi Mini or micro but the total cost is prohibitive at the moment. Have any of you used the NRG VARA-LITE PROF DC LIGHT #NR56001/56001? B&H suggested it as an option. They also suggested the BESCOR SLM-10ATM SLIMLINE 12v BATTERY BELT/REG #BESLM10ATM/SLM10ATM The NRG is about $100 dollars less expensive than the Frezzi. It's supposed to color balance when dimmed also. How heavy is this combo? How about the size of the light on the 170. Have any of you used any of the Bescor lights. They have a couple that are dimmable. If you have any suggestions on another kit that works well for you I'd like to know that as well. Thanks Tony Z New Genesis Productions __________________ Tony

March 17th, 2004, 01:58 PM	#101
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	I use a Bescor light and although it's not dimmable I made a softbox/diffuser for it and it works fine. 50W down to 20 with no appreciable color change. HOWEVER, I also use the Besor battery belt and a juice box with it. The juice box isn't too bad weight wise and the light will run 75-90 minutes with the juice box. The belt on the other hand will give me almost 3 hours of run time BUT it weighs about 15 lbs and by the end of the night my back hurts. They are lead acid batteries and last a long time but the trade off is the weight. Don

March 24th, 2004, 02:32 PM	#102
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Lighting wallpaper picture Some time back I posted in hear that GE was developing a type "lighting wallpaper." They now have a picture of the prototype lighting a table of colorful ball on their Web site. http://www.ge.com/stories/en/20147.h...ory=Innovation

March 25th, 2004, 03:09 AM	#103
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	That's looking sweat! Together with ultrathin paper / cloth like TV's / screens it is an interesting time we are heading into! __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

March 28th, 2004, 07:36 PM	#104
Barry Cheong Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 25	Light Meter? I'm in the market for a light meter to be used mainly for 16mm production. Am thinking too of using it to check contrast and lighting ratios for my DV productions. It's a toss up between the Sekonic 508C or 558C meters? Just anyone have insight they could share? Thanks

April 10th, 2004, 04:54 PM	#105
Carlos E. Martinez Trustee Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brasil Posts: 1,138	Re: Light Meter? <<<-- Originally posted by Barry Cheong : I'm in the market for a light meter to be used mainly for 16mm production. Am thinking too of using it to check contrast and lighting ratios for my DV productions. It's a toss up between the Sekonic 508C or 558C meters? -->>> Are you used to working with incident light meters? Which was the one you learned with? My first advice would be to pick that one. If you are starting in incident light techniques pick the LM-398M with the direct disks and go to a much expensive one after you master it. This advice is valid if you are going to use it for "normal" photography. If you are going to use on very low light scenes, you should certainly pick your best deal on any of the new ones. Carlos