Will Britek lights work in 220v Land?
 

I've emailed Britek and Rostronics but no reply. Wanting to know if anyone from 220v 50Hz land has the Britek video lights (Softbox etc) and how they work? I'm hoping like Arri's they'll work fine and just need another bulb.


Aaron

They should work. They have a listing on the side of all the lamps you can use in them. They have several 220v lamps listed.

Thanks Ryan. I must have missed that. Where did you see that listing?

Cheers
Aaron

On the lights I received, the list is printed on the yolk right below the tilt handle.

As far as 220v, the 600/650w will take:

JCD 3200k 650w 220v 3.0 amps

The 1k will take:

JPD 3200k 1000w 220v 4.55 amps

I guess that's not "several" as I said earlier, but the lights I got appear to accept 220v lamps.

Ahh, on the side of the light, not the website - no wonder I missed it I don't have any ;)

I'd then assume the lights themselves will work with that system? Does it say anywhere about the input voltages of the light itself?

Cheers
Aaron

On the back of the light, it says:

Input: 120v or 240v 50/60Hz

Excellent. Thanks a lot Ryan, much appreciated. I think I'll look at ordering some of these babies.

Cheers
Aaron

No problem, Aaron. They're great lights. Enjoy!

<<<-- Originally posted by Aaron Koolen : Excellent. Thanks a lot Ryan, much appreciated. I think I'll look at ordering some of these babies.

Cheers
Aaron -->>>

Hi again Aaron! Did you end up getting any Briteks??

Cheers,
Andrew

Hey Andrew. Not yet mate. Rostronics told me that while the light work, they don't hvae the 220-240v bulbs so I need to hunt some of those down first just to make sure - haven't had time yet. I'm also still looking into a Tota, and have even looked at the caselites and kinoflo diva's but those are expensive babies.

Aaron

<<<-- Originally posted by Aaron Koolen : Hey Andrew. Not yet mate. Rostronics told me that while the light work, they don't hvae the 220-240v bulbs so I need to hunt some of those down first just to make sure - haven't had time yet. I'm also still looking into a Tota, and have even looked at the caselites and kinoflo diva's but those are expensive babies.

Aaron -->>>

Hi Aaron,

FYI Using info from Ryan Gohlinghorst post above I priced what I think are compatible 220v bulbs at US$30/ea. (They even might be the same as Lowel Omni's take??)

It sounds like the Briteks are a good deal which I am considering closely - being an amateur/wannabe videographer!

Andrew

I just picked up one of their new 200w lights. Imagine a Lowel Pro that's better built, comes with barn doors and is half the price. It's great.

<<<-- Originally posted by Ryan Gohlinghorst : I just picked up one of their new 200w lights. Imagine a Lowel Pro that's better built, comes with barn doors and is half the price. It's great. -->>>

Hi Ryan,

Thanks for the info, the Briteks are sounding more and more like a better option!

Have you, or anyone for that matter purchased in addtion to the actual light any Britek accessories such as light stands, umbrellas and softboxes – any comments on those, re quality, suitability etc??

Also, can anyone explain what is the major differences – apart from supplied wattage – between the Britek 200w (G-2000) and the Britek 250w ? It would appear to me that the only difference is that the 250w (actually 300w max) version has an optional softbox whereas the 200w edition does not - but the price difference of ~$24 suggests more??? Is there anything else or am I just being stupid by missing something obvious :-( ???


Regards,
Andrew

I don't have any of their 250w lights since they ran out of those before I was able to order any, so I can't really tell you the difference between the two.

As far as accessories...

The softbox I have for the 1k is really nice.

The barndoors are completely awesome (though the barndoors that come with the G-2000 are not as solid as the ones that came with the 600w).

The stands will be fine if you don't throw them around. They have plastic parts that may break if abused, though they seem solid enough to me for normal use.

Andrew, what would be the bulbs you found and where from?

Aaron

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

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.

<<<-- 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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Guys,

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

<<<-- 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.

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

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.

Thanks Barry. Will do.

Cheers
Aaron

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

Andrew, that's good news.

Just an update from me. I've gone and got a Tota with Photoflex Silverdome and a stand. Haven't had much time to play with it yet though. I will need a harder, focusable source soon though, of about 300w so I might look into the Britek's for that - although knowing me I'll be too scared and go with something like Lowel again ;)

Aaron

Hi all,

Just wiping the dust off this thread to see if anyone has been able to source 220v bulbs for Britek lights. I've (perhaps foolishly) ordered 1000k, 650 and a 300 (requiring JPD, DYR and JCD bulbs respectively) from Rostronics without checking bulb availability. Hmmmm.

And am I right in thinking that I need g6.35 base for each of these lamps (BandH have the DYR 650 but with GZ9.5 base) and that the codes must be JPD for the 1k, DYR for the 650 and JCD for the 350?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve

Steve,
I can probably help you out but where are you located?
Only reason I ask is 220V is a bit of an oddity unless you're in Europe, outside the USA and Europe much of the world is 240V or 250V, the 240V lamps will work off 220V but a bit less light output and lower CT.

Anyway if you're in Australia or NZ there's a company here in Sydney run by a lady who knows every lamp ever made, sells a lot to the local TV networks.

What we need to know is the socket type, that code is the same no matter who makes the lamp. You'll oftenly find a range of lamps to fit that socket in various wattages and voltage from at least one or more manufacturer but first you need to nail down the code for the base(s) that you need.

If you're too far away to make it practical to buy from someone down here no drama, I can find a lamp part number and manufacturer for you, if it's one Osram makes we can track down a local reseller through Osram.

One bit of advice, if you're going to always be running these lights of 220-250V, get someone to change the power flex, as you'll only be drawing half the current it doesn't need to be as thick as that horrid stuff they use in the USA, not only does it make it easier for the light to fall over the damn stuff fails and goes BOOM after a while.

Just doing a bit of research for you.
Osram have halogens with the GX6.35 base rated 650W, 230V, 3400K.
Full description: 64540 650W 230V GX6,35 BVM FS1
I'd give you the direct link to their page but all their catalogue comes out of their SAP system and the URLs are HUGE.
Just go to www.myosram.com most of their video / film lamps are under "Display/Optic".

No matter where you are on the planet there'll be someone around who can source Osram lamps. I avoid video specialist shops for stuff like this, electrical trade outlets are cheaper and better informed or else places that service theatrical lighting.

If these are the lamps you need, they're only rated at 15hours life, buy plenty of them and don't move the light for 30 seconds after power down. Do not move them when on unless you like replacing lamps.

Bob, I tip my hat to you. Great info. And that Osram site is going to come in handy, I'm sure.

I'm in Oz too (that's now clear on my profile). I've done a little research too, and come up with the following bulbs at BandH...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...u=74500&is=REG

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

I'm getting a sense that it's essential I have the right codes for these bulbs, not just the right bases? (I'm still trying to confirm the bases on the gy650 and rs1000). To add to this, it seems some dvxusers have been having problems with their 600-650s, and one member suggests the problems can be solved by using a Ushio bulb rather than an Osram (or other brand)

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=43336&page=2


Thanks for your offer of assistance re order - I'll wade my way through this and get back to you. If you do have any advice on my question in the para above that'd be great (still trying to get my head around this). Either way, I'll have some answers eventually which I'll share for those who care.

Steve

We too have had a problem with that specific Osram lamp in a quite different light. The problem isn't the length of the pin it's the unsupported length of the filament. The 230V versions use a thinner filament and they break easier. The GE version has a centre support which gives you better protection. Thankfully we no longer use any tungsten or halogen light sources, all fluro or HMI!

However as you're in Oz, give Pro-Lamps a ring (02 9890 4404), ask for Heather, she knows every lamp ever made, even has a lamp museum. They don't just stock Osram, I just always prefer to use their lamps because they're always at SMPTE, have a usable online catalogue and are pretty much into lighting for video with their HMI and fluro range.

Just noticed http://www.pro-lamps.com/ so they have a branch in Qld as well, still worth calling Sydney and talking to 'the lady', she'll be able to tell you exactly what you need and then you can order it from the Qld branch.

BTW, they can also supply lamp sockets, I've done a few socket swaps as well so we can use a better lamp. I'm about to embark on a project to build some chinese lanterns using 150W HMIs, should be fun.

Hi Steve et al, Cough, cough - waits for dust to clear and pulls cob-webs out of hair...

Unfortunately I cannot help you much. As I recall I had some difficulty sourcing bulbs here in New Zealand and eventually ended up corresponding with a firm in Oz - which looked promising. However, I eventually ended up ebay-ing a couple of Pro-Lights and getting a bulbs (and other bits and pieces) from B&H in the U.S.

I am sure that the bulbs for the Briteks were available here but the fact that I was new to "pro" lighting in general, unfamiliar with bulb "terminology" and that dealers here dealt with big names eg: Lowel, Arri etc and not much else that it all became a bit too hard.

Good luck!

Andrew

Nice one guys...thanks for the input.

Like most things, it seems that if it's being produced, a retailer can probably get a hold of it.

Bob - again, your help is much appreciated. I'll give Heather a call this week.