3200 bulbs and flash

In theory, a Full CT orange filter over the flash will do that.

But it's only theory, based on the assumption that
1. The flash is actually the colour temperature it should be, and there can be quite a lot of variation
2. That the tungsten light it's matching to is actually 3200K, and that's one hell of an assumption...

In my experience, this type of light is nominally rated at 3200K but the true output is usually somewhere between 2700 - 2900K. Actual colour temperature varies a lot, and depends on the age of the lamp, local mains voltage, local demand, and whether or not someone on the same circuit as you has put the kettle on... You can literally take two shots, one after the other, and get very different colours on each.

Which is just one of the reasons why very few people this type of lighting these days.
 
vRSG60 said:
The other option of course is to replace the bulbs.
I've bought these.
Click to expand...

Probably a good solution, at least on colour. Looks like they'll fit.

But the light output will be much lower than the flash, so need to balance that with a longer shutter speed.
 
I think I'd have to ask what the OP hopes to achieve?

The problems of mixing light types in a studio are (as above) colour stability and consistency, and the relative outputs.

So if you've got a choice of continuous and flash, the sensible choice id to use them both to their strengths.
 
Thanks Phil. I'm new to this lighting game and your comment is very helpful.
The lamps will (if I ever get round to it) be used for portrait shots.
I was trying to match the colour of lamps and flash in case I needed a flash to fill in any areas. If that makes sense!!!

Phil V said:
I think I'd have to ask what the OP hopes to achieve?

The problems of mixing light types in a studio are (as above) colour stability and consistency, and the relative outputs.

So if you've got a choice of continuous and flash, the sensible choice id to use them both to their strengths.
Click to expand...
 
vRSG60 said:
Thanks Phil. I'm new to this lighting game and your comment is very helpful.
The lamps will (if I ever get round to it) be used for portrait shots.
I was trying to match the colour of lamps and flash in case I needed a flash to fill in any areas. If that makes sense!!!
Click to expand...

It would work the opposite way round, you would use the continuous lights as fill, the flash as the main light...

The reason is the massive difference in usable power.
If, say, you have a 100 watt continuous light and a 100 Watt-second flash, the flash will in theory produce the same amount of light during its brief flash as the continuous light produces in 1 second. Therefore, assuming a shutter speed of say 1/60th second, the flash will be 60 times brighter than the continuous light. Of course, if you have a really steady hand, or are using a tripod, and if your subjects can keep very still, you can use a longer shutter speed. At 1/15th second shutter speed, the flash will 'only' be 15 times more powerful than the continuous light.
 
It doesn't really make sense if I'm honest:thinking:.

The continuous lights aren't really bright enough for portraits. It's a common theme here that people buy those cheap ebay kits and then ask how best to use them. The answer of course being; 'they're best used to fill the stock shelves of the distributor':naughty:.

But if you want to use them, it's the same principles as using any other light, start simple (you'll have to bump the ISO) with one light, when you understand it, try reflectors (they can be as simple as a pillowcase ot T shirt), then see what you can do with a 2nd light, 3rd etc. :thumbs:

Personally I'd use windowlight before those lights, but that's just me. :)
 
Thanks for the advice, the lamps are 500W each which I assumed would be bright enough. I plan on getting another 1, or maybe 2, flash units maybe these would be a better option?

I only paid £20 for the two lamp kit off a mate who brought them home from work after the place shut. They used them for product photographs.
 
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an alternative if you want to keep the price to a minimum would be to replace the bulbs with a couple of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Portaflas...hy_Slaves_Trigger_Systems&hash=item2ec84f7a5f

they are optically triggered so you would need to use another flash to trigger them and the output is fixed but apart from that they will be a direct replacement for bulbs

there not the best by any standards but they are cheap :)
 
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