Simple question on 50/60hz at DVinfo.net

Josh Dahlberg · August 3rd, 2006, 07:13 PM

Hi Guys,

I'm confusing myself a little over hertz. I live in New Zealand, which is a 50hz country. Unfortunately, video lighting is extremely expensive over here and difficult to source so I've thought about buying fixtures from online US shops.

What I want to know is, are all the fixtures from professional lighting companies such as Arri 50/60hz compatible. I know the bulbs are different and I would need to use 50hz bulbs, but are the fixtures themselves a problem if I buy from the US?

Thanks to anyone who can help. As you can see I'm not a wizard in the electrical department.

Brian Drysdale · August 4th, 2006, 02:47 AM

Mains frequency is only a problem with fluorescent lights or HMI lights not fitted with a flicker free ballast.

For tungsten lights this isn't an issue unless you're shooting extreme slow motion, where you want the larger wattage (1k +) because the smaller units can show flicker when shooting at the higher frame rates.

The voltage is important, so you need to have the correct voltage lamps fitted.

Josh Dahlberg · August 4th, 2006, 07:50 PM

Cheers Brian, nice clear explanation ;-)

August 3rd, 2006, 07:13 PM	#1
Josh Dahlberg Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 513	Simple question on 50/60hz Hi Guys, I'm confusing myself a little over hertz. I live in New Zealand, which is a 50hz country. Unfortunately, video lighting is extremely expensive over here and difficult to source so I've thought about buying fixtures from online US shops. What I want to know is, are all the fixtures from professional lighting companies such as Arri 50/60hz compatible. I know the bulbs are different and I would need to use 50hz bulbs, but are the fixtures themselves a problem if I buy from the US? Thanks to anyone who can help. As you can see I'm not a wizard in the electrical department.

August 4th, 2006, 02:47 AM	#2
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,154	Mains frequency is only a problem with fluorescent lights or HMI lights not fitted with a flicker free ballast. For tungsten lights this isn't an issue unless you're shooting extreme slow motion, where you want the larger wattage (1k +) because the smaller units can show flicker when shooting at the higher frame rates. The voltage is important, so you need to have the correct voltage lamps fitted.

August 4th, 2006, 07:50 PM	#3
Josh Dahlberg Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 513	Cheers Brian, nice clear explanation ;-)