Will Britek lights work in 220v Land?

Aaron Koolen · August 21st, 2004, 06:12 AM

Ryan, can you tell me if the Briteks have rooms for scrims etc and do you know what scrims would work with them?

Cheers
Aaron

Ryan Gohlinghorst · August 21st, 2004, 09:36 AM

They'd definitely have room for scrims. I haven't really looked into it, so I don't know which ones would work best, but I'll see what I can find.

Andrew Rowatt · August 21st, 2004, 05:21 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Aaron Koolen : Andrew, what would be the bulbs you found and where from?

Aaron -->>>

Note to all: I should have prefaced my initial posts with words to the effect that I am a lighting newbie – you have been warned :-)

Aaron,

I looked under the "JAA - JZZ" at B&H under Lighting -> Bulbs & Lamps and found several 230v/240v options. However, on rechecking I noticed I have overlooked one critical factor – the "base" type of the lamp. For the 300w bulbs there are "GY9.5" and "G6.35" "Base Type" varieties which physically are different - the “GY9.5” a globe embedded in what looks like a ceramic base, the "G6.35" a globe only. So Ryan G et al it would be greatly appreciated if you could tell us what type of bulb the 200w and 600w Britek lights use.

I also noted that there are Lowel JCD bulbs marked as "for Omni-light" which cheaper than the General brand ones and was hoping that these would work with the Briteks.

From B&H:
General Brand - JCD Lamp - 300 watts/230 volts (B&H# GBJCD230300Q) US$30
General Brand - JCD Lamp - 300 watts/230 volts (B&H# GBJCD230300) US$30
Lowel - JCD Lamp - 300 watts/230 volts - for Omni-Light (B&H# LOLJCD230) US$20

Ryan G:
Many thanks for your comments on the Britek accessories.

Cheers!
Andrew

Aaron Koolen · August 21st, 2004, 05:29 PM

Thanks Andrew, much appreciated. I'm sure some lighting place in NZ would have bulbs for them, although it'd be depressing to purchase and find you couldn't use them ;)

Cheers
Aaron

Ryan Gohlinghorst · August 22nd, 2004, 11:28 AM

No worries, Andrew.

The 200w light I have uses G6.35 lamps.

My 600w says it uses G5.3/G6.35 on the back of the light.

Aaron Koolen · August 22nd, 2004, 02:49 PM

Thanks a lot Ryan

It seems that on B&H, that this one

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=282759&is=REG

is the only one with a 6.35 base.

Hmm, need to find a 650 watter for the big lights.

Cheers
Aaron

Andrew Rowatt · August 22nd, 2004, 02:51 PM

Thanks Ryan! I owe you a beer next time I am over your way - which is admittedly a bit of a long-shot but you never know :-)

Thanks again!
Andrew

Ryan Gohlinghorst · August 23rd, 2004, 04:51 PM

Hell, if you're ever up this way... I'll buy YOU a beer.

Aaron Koolen · August 24th, 2004, 04:02 AM

Andrew, just a FYI. I checked out buying the Britek 1200W kit (2x600w with stands and softboxes) and the total price with shipping to New Zealand is a little over US$600. Yes, it almost doubles the price.

Still this option is cheaper than say a Tota with Photoflex softbox (My other option) by about US$100.

Anyone know how these units would compare to each other? I would imagine that the Photoflex is a lot better than Britek's softbox? Can the britek softbox take accessories like scrims, eggcrates etc?

Cheers
Aaron

Richard Alvarez · August 24th, 2004, 07:37 AM

Guys,

Check out topbulb.com for bulbs. They have just about everything.

Barry Green · August 24th, 2004, 03:21 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Aaron Koolen : Anyone know how these units would compare to each other? I would imagine that the Photoflex is a lot better than Britek's softbox? Can the britek softbox take accessories like scrims, eggcrates etc?-->>>

I've used the Britek softboxes, they're pretty well built and have held up to what we've thrown at 'em so far. No scrim or eggcrate ability as near as I can tell, but they may come up with something.

As lights, the Briteks are the screaming deal of the year. Very inexpensive, half the price of Lowels, but better designed. Not as small as Lowels, but again, half the price. I've got a couple of their 250's and a couple of their HMI's, and while they aren't in the same league as Desisti or Mole or B&M, they're much much much less expensive. Infinitely superior to a "worklight" type of solution.

For stands, I've been quite disappointed in the Britek stands, the light-duty ones are cheap but they're also cheap. The heavy-duty stands are heavy, but they also seem cheap. I'd recommend something from Avenger or Matthews over the Britek stands.

Aaron Koolen · August 24th, 2004, 11:10 PM

Barry, would you know what the right photoflex or chimera speed ring would be for the Briteks? Maybe the adjustable one would be the way to do?

If you do know, where could I get one?

Cheers
Aaron

Barry Green · August 25th, 2004, 11:04 AM

Best to ask Photoflex or Chimera directly. I have some Chimeras for my Britek HMI lights, so the rings definitely exist, but each Britek light would need a different ring.

Aaron Koolen · August 25th, 2004, 02:03 PM

Thanks Barry. Will do.

Cheers
Aaron

Andrew Rowatt · September 6th, 2004, 08:10 PM

Thanks for the link Richard A "topbulbs" certainly have a huge range!

I have been conversing with Tony from "Wellington Photographic Supplies" here in NZ and he can supply lamps with a G6.35 base in 300w, 650w and 1Kw for NZ$35 - BUT he doesn’t know what I mean when I refer to "JCD" (See Ryan G post) lamps - which makes two of us incidentally :-). So does the JCD bit really matter? - is the base the most important feature?

Please help a totally confused newbie!

Andrew

August 21st, 2004, 06:12 AM	#16
Aaron Koolen Trustee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,727	Ryan, can you tell me if the Briteks have rooms for scrims etc and do you know what scrims would work with them? Cheers Aaron __________________ My Website Meat Free Media

August 21st, 2004, 09:36 AM	#17
Ryan Gohlinghorst Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Mankato, Minnesota Posts: 104	They'd definitely have room for scrims. I haven't really looked into it, so I don't know which ones would work best, but I'll see what I can find. __________________ http://www.horsefilms.com "I like Mankato just a little bit better than any other town in the world." -Sinclair Lewis

August 21st, 2004, 05:29 PM	#19
Aaron Koolen Trustee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,727	Thanks Andrew, much appreciated. I'm sure some lighting place in NZ would have bulbs for them, although it'd be depressing to purchase and find you couldn't use them ;) Cheers Aaron __________________ My Website Meat Free Media

August 22nd, 2004, 11:28 AM	#20
Ryan Gohlinghorst Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Mankato, Minnesota Posts: 104	No worries, Andrew. The 200w light I have uses G6.35 lamps. My 600w says it uses G5.3/G6.35 on the back of the light. __________________ http://www.horsefilms.com "I like Mankato just a little bit better than any other town in the world." -Sinclair Lewis

August 22nd, 2004, 02:49 PM	#21
Aaron Koolen Trustee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,727	Thanks a lot Ryan It seems that on B&H, that this one http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=282759&is=REG is the only one with a 6.35 base. Hmm, need to find a 650 watter for the big lights. Cheers Aaron __________________ My Website Meat Free Media

August 21st, 2004, 05:21 PM	#18
Andrew Rowatt New Boot Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand Posts: 15	<<<-- Originally posted by Aaron Koolen : Andrew, what would be the bulbs you found and where from? Aaron -->>> Note to all: I should have prefaced my initial posts with words to the effect that I am a lighting newbie – you have been warned :-) Aaron, I looked under the "JAA - JZZ" at B&H under Lighting -> Bulbs & Lamps and found several 230v/240v options. However, on rechecking I noticed I have overlooked one critical factor – the "base" type of the lamp. For the 300w bulbs there are "GY9.5" and "G6.35" "Base Type" varieties which physically are different - the “GY9.5” a globe embedded in what looks like a ceramic base, the "G6.35" a globe only. So Ryan G et al it would be greatly appreciated if you could tell us what type of bulb the 200w and 600w Britek lights use. I also noted that there are Lowel JCD bulbs marked as "for Omni-light" which cheaper than the General brand ones and was hoping that these would work with the Briteks. From B&H: General Brand - JCD Lamp - 300 watts/230 volts (B&H# GBJCD230300Q) US$30 General Brand - JCD Lamp - 300 watts/230 volts (B&H# GBJCD230300) US$30 Lowel - JCD Lamp - 300 watts/230 volts - for Omni-Light (B&H# LOLJCD230) US$20 Ryan G: Many thanks for your comments on the Britek accessories. Cheers! Andrew

August 22nd, 2004, 02:51 PM	#22
Andrew Rowatt New Boot Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand Posts: 15	Thanks Ryan! I owe you a beer next time I am over your way - which is admittedly a bit of a long-shot but you never know :-) Thanks again! Andrew

August 23rd, 2004, 04:51 PM	#23
Ryan Gohlinghorst Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Mankato, Minnesota Posts: 104	Hell, if you're ever up this way... I'll buy YOU a beer. __________________ http://www.horsefilms.com "I like Mankato just a little bit better than any other town in the world." -Sinclair Lewis

August 24th, 2004, 04:02 AM	#24
Aaron Koolen Trustee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,727	Andrew, just a FYI. I checked out buying the Britek 1200W kit (2x600w with stands and softboxes) and the total price with shipping to New Zealand is a little over US$600. Yes, it almost doubles the price. Still this option is cheaper than say a Tota with Photoflex softbox (My other option) by about US$100. Anyone know how these units would compare to each other? I would imagine that the Photoflex is a lot better than Britek's softbox? Can the britek softbox take accessories like scrims, eggcrates etc? Cheers Aaron __________________ My Website Meat Free Media

August 24th, 2004, 07:37 AM	#25
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Guys, Check out topbulb.com for bulbs. They have just about everything.

August 24th, 2004, 03:21 PM	#26
Barry Green Barry Wan Kenobi Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,863	<<<-- Originally posted by Aaron Koolen : Anyone know how these units would compare to each other? I would imagine that the Photoflex is a lot better than Britek's softbox? Can the britek softbox take accessories like scrims, eggcrates etc?-->>> I've used the Britek softboxes, they're pretty well built and have held up to what we've thrown at 'em so far. No scrim or eggcrate ability as near as I can tell, but they may come up with something. As lights, the Briteks are the screaming deal of the year. Very inexpensive, half the price of Lowels, but better designed. Not as small as Lowels, but again, half the price. I've got a couple of their 250's and a couple of their HMI's, and while they aren't in the same league as Desisti or Mole or B&M, they're much much much less expensive. Infinitely superior to a "worklight" type of solution. For stands, I've been quite disappointed in the Britek stands, the light-duty ones are cheap but they're also cheap. The heavy-duty stands are heavy, but they also seem cheap. I'd recommend something from Avenger or Matthews over the Britek stands.

August 24th, 2004, 11:10 PM	#27
Aaron Koolen Trustee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,727	Barry, would you know what the right photoflex or chimera speed ring would be for the Briteks? Maybe the adjustable one would be the way to do? If you do know, where could I get one? Cheers Aaron __________________ My Website Meat Free Media

August 25th, 2004, 11:04 AM	#28
Barry Green Barry Wan Kenobi Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,863	Best to ask Photoflex or Chimera directly. I have some Chimeras for my Britek HMI lights, so the rings definitely exist, but each Britek light would need a different ring.

August 25th, 2004, 02:03 PM	#29
Aaron Koolen Trustee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,727	Thanks Barry. Will do. Cheers Aaron __________________ My Website Meat Free Media

September 6th, 2004, 08:10 PM	#30
Andrew Rowatt New Boot Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand Posts: 15	Thanks for the link Richard A "topbulbs" certainly have a huge range! I have been conversing with Tony from "Wellington Photographic Supplies" here in NZ and he can supply lamps with a G6.35 base in 300w, 650w and 1Kw for NZ$35 - BUT he doesn’t know what I mean when I refer to "JCD" (See Ryan G post) lamps - which makes two of us incidentally :-). So does the JCD bit really matter? - is the base the most important feature? Please help a totally confused newbie! Andrew