Arri D2 Kit

Peter Wiley · May 19th, 2003, 05:57 PM

I have to second Ken's reaction to the Arri equip. I have the D2 kit too. Solid, professional gear & great light.

I don't have too much trouble getting everything back in the box. The trick is learning to re-coil the cables so the coils are the right size. Hold the coil in the left hand and the line between thumb, fore and index fingers of your right hand. Turn the cable about 1/4 turn with these fingers as you lay it into the coil (the line will "remember" its orginal coil). An old stage hand taught me this trick years ago and it almost never fails with cords or rope.

Tuck the switches into the center of the coils as you lay them against the side of the instrument in each of the cubby holes.

Akos Szemenyei · May 19th, 2003, 09:20 PM

Oh, I missed that Dylan was only joking, sounded like he really meant it, lol.

Dylan Couper · May 19th, 2003, 10:14 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Brad Simmons :
You said "the Arri's are blue and silver. The Lowel's are black. Everyone knows pro gear is black."

So, if I get the Arri kit, and then paint the exteriors black, am I pro now?
-->>>

Absolutely! ;)

Sorry you guys missed my (Humour) label at the top of my post.
Sadly, there probably is some truth to my joke in some circles... :)

Ken Tanaka · May 19th, 2003, 11:15 PM

Thanks for the cord coiling tips, Peter. I'll try that the next time I use the Arri's!

Brad Simmons · May 20th, 2003, 01:29 PM

one last quesiton before I call up B&H today. (would have gone with the usual ZGC, but they were honest and said I would get a better price at B&H).

Ken and Peter, is there any reason why I should get the D2 instead of the D1 kit? The difference of course is the 150w and 300w in the D1 instead of two 300w in the D2. The price difference isn't that much at all, less than 100 I think. Do you think 2 300w would be a much better setup or is the 150w not worth it? Or do you guys wish you had a smaller 150w? I'm pretty new to this and I'm not sure if a 150w is really necessary or if 2 300w is overkill for my needs. I know this is a vague question but any advice would be appreciated.

Ken Tanaka · May 20th, 2003, 03:05 PM

Brad,
That's an excellent question which I asked myself when I was making a selection. (BTW, the fixtures are rated only for the specified lamps, so you cannot use lower wattage lamps, at least to my knowledge.)

My conclusion was that the higher wattage set would ultimately be more flexible. You can always gel-down a higher-watt light but you can't produce more light from a lower wattage lamp.

Have fun!

Brad Simmons · May 21st, 2003, 03:36 AM

thanks again Ken, I'll let you know how it turns out. I'm excited to get this kit.

May 19th, 2003, 10:14 PM	#18
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	<<<-- Originally posted by Brad Simmons : You said "the Arri's are blue and silver. The Lowel's are black. Everyone knows pro gear is black." So, if I get the Arri kit, and then paint the exteriors black, am I pro now? -->>> Absolutely! ;) Sorry you guys missed my (Humour) label at the top of my post. Sadly, there probably is some truth to my joke in some circles... :) __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

May 19th, 2003, 11:15 PM	#19
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Thanks for the cord coiling tips, Peter. I'll try that the next time I use the Arri's! __________________ 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

May 20th, 2003, 03:05 PM	#21
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Brad, That's an excellent question which I asked myself when I was making a selection. (BTW, the fixtures are rated only for the specified lamps, so you cannot use lower wattage lamps, at least to my knowledge.) My conclusion was that the higher wattage set would ultimately be more flexible. You can always gel-down a higher-watt light but you can't produce more light from a lower wattage lamp. Have fun! __________________ 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

May 19th, 2003, 05:57 PM	#16
Peter Wiley Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lewisburg PA Posts: 752	I have to second Ken's reaction to the Arri equip. I have the D2 kit too. Solid, professional gear & great light. I don't have too much trouble getting everything back in the box. The trick is learning to re-coil the cables so the coils are the right size. Hold the coil in the left hand and the line between thumb, fore and index fingers of your right hand. Turn the cable about 1/4 turn with these fingers as you lay it into the coil (the line will "remember" its orginal coil). An old stage hand taught me this trick years ago and it almost never fails with cords or rope. Tuck the switches into the center of the coils as you lay them against the side of the instrument in each of the cubby holes.

May 19th, 2003, 09:20 PM	#17
Akos Szemenyei Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Saitama, Japan Posts: 111	Oh, I missed that Dylan was only joking, sounded like he really meant it, lol.

May 20th, 2003, 01:29 PM	#20
Brad Simmons Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Washington DC Posts: 304	one last quesiton before I call up B&H today. (would have gone with the usual ZGC, but they were honest and said I would get a better price at B&H). Ken and Peter, is there any reason why I should get the D2 instead of the D1 kit? The difference of course is the 150w and 300w in the D1 instead of two 300w in the D2. The price difference isn't that much at all, less than 100 I think. Do you think 2 300w would be a much better setup or is the 150w not worth it? Or do you guys wish you had a smaller 150w? I'm pretty new to this and I'm not sure if a 150w is really necessary or if 2 300w is overkill for my needs. I know this is a vague question but any advice would be appreciated.

May 21st, 2003, 03:36 AM	#22
Brad Simmons Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Washington DC Posts: 304	thanks again Ken, I'll let you know how it turns out. I'm excited to get this kit.