using regular house bulbs - problems? (color temperature) at DVinfo.net

Bogdan Apetri · May 27th, 2004, 04:12 PM

I have the Panasonic AG-DVX100AE.

I will go back to Europe and I will do a few shoots over there.

What are the commong problems when using regular house bulbs and not photo bulbs? I know they are not color temperature balanced, and they are underrun (probably around 2800-2900k). Won't the frequent manual white balance solve all the problems? Is the lower color temperature a problem for the white balanced video also, or is it a problem ONLY for film (celluloid)?

I also plan to bring with me color temperature correction gels, for the windows or for the lights themselves. Is there a problem if I gel the windows (to 3200K with the CTO) but i use house bulbs inside?

What if I gel the house bulbs? Can they be brought up to 3200K?

So many questions... sorry guys... but I am leaving US in three days. I'd like to get some advice. Thank you!

Bogdan

Barry Green · May 27th, 2004, 06:13 PM

Do a manual white balance before you shoot, and you should have no problems whatsoever.

If you want to mix household lamps and professional tungsten light sources, and you want all the lights to match on color, you can gel the household lamps with some light CTB gel... probably 1/4, maybe 1/8, to bring them up to 3200k.

If you shoot at 3200k, but leave the bulbs alone, they'll have a very, very mild orange/gold glow to them, which can actually look quite nice.

Bryan Beasleigh · May 31st, 2004, 10:53 AM

The eye can detect about 100 - 150 deg K difference but only as a slightly warmer light. Warmth isn't a bad thing and may be a mood enhancer. White balance for the highest color temp tungsten and work with the warmer glow from the lamps. If there are only practicals (existing tungsten) do a manual white balance on them.

Many people use "warming cards" to give a soft warmth to the picture so i don't see a big deal in a minor color temp difference.
It's not going to come out orange like daylight film does.

Jim Schweer · June 18th, 2004, 02:10 PM

How do GE's Reveal bulbs work compared to the usual household bulbs? The Reveal bulbs are supposed to cut the orangish cast of the usual tungsten bulbs.

May 27th, 2004, 04:12 PM	#1
Bogdan Apetri Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York, USA Posts: 117	using regular house bulbs - problems? (color temperature) I have the Panasonic AG-DVX100AE. I will go back to Europe and I will do a few shoots over there. What are the commong problems when using regular house bulbs and not photo bulbs? I know they are not color temperature balanced, and they are underrun (probably around 2800-2900k). Won't the frequent manual white balance solve all the problems? Is the lower color temperature a problem for the white balanced video also, or is it a problem ONLY for film (celluloid)? I also plan to bring with me color temperature correction gels, for the windows or for the lights themselves. Is there a problem if I gel the windows (to 3200K with the CTO) but i use house bulbs inside? What if I gel the house bulbs? Can they be brought up to 3200K? So many questions... sorry guys... but I am leaving US in three days. I'd like to get some advice. Thank you! Bogdan

May 31st, 2004, 10:53 AM	#3
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	The eye can detect about 100 - 150 deg K difference but only as a slightly warmer light. Warmth isn't a bad thing and may be a mood enhancer. White balance for the highest color temp tungsten and work with the warmer glow from the lamps. If there are only practicals (existing tungsten) do a manual white balance on them. Many people use "warming cards" to give a soft warmth to the picture so i don't see a big deal in a minor color temp difference. It's not going to come out orange like daylight film does. __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ".......holy smokin rubber lips...what a ride!"

May 27th, 2004, 06:13 PM	#2
Barry Green Barry Wan Kenobi Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,863	Do a manual white balance before you shoot, and you should have no problems whatsoever. If you want to mix household lamps and professional tungsten light sources, and you want all the lights to match on color, you can gel the household lamps with some light CTB gel... probably 1/4, maybe 1/8, to bring them up to 3200k. If you shoot at 3200k, but leave the bulbs alone, they'll have a very, very mild orange/gold glow to them, which can actually look quite nice.

June 18th, 2004, 02:10 PM	#4
Jim Schweer Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kansas City KS Posts: 60	How do GE's Reveal bulbs work compared to the usual household bulbs? The Reveal bulbs are supposed to cut the orangish cast of the usual tungsten bulbs.