ARRI Lights

[flossie]

This argument's been had several times on dvinfo etc, don't really care to get into it

You brought the whole issue up by mentioning and linking to fake lights in the first place. You can't then try and avoid the consequences of your action. These items are illegal to import to the UK - can I put it any clearer than that - because they are not CE marked and because they are blatent copies of patented equipment.

They are also quite possibly extremely dangerous - everything from electrical safety due to shoddy construction, to mechanical failure. And where's the product chain back to the manufacturer or vendor when you get electrocuted up a ladder trying to focus it, or it falls on your client's head.

I use legitimate equipment for my own professional work, and without knowing what Mahoney does, if amateurs or students for whom it'd be a case of either not having the equipment or using (say) a chinese frensel, want to do so, then meh.

I have been using Fresnel lights since before you were born. I used them when I was a student (about the time you were in nappies), when we had no money and did things like made gobos ourselves out of used offset litho sheets...so I know about trying to cut corners and making every penny count even if nowadays I don't blink at a thousand moving lights, but cutting-corners doesn't mean you can turn blind-eyes to things that could potentially kill.

I'm not connected to Arri (although I do know them well), I'm completely independent, but I do know of plenty of bad manufacturing that comes from chinese lamps - particularly where it comes to electrics and cheap steel. If they ever discover quality control, then we are in trouble.

Of course, for something as incredibly simple as a red head style thing (800w bulb in a tin can), I wouldn't be buying arri at all...

A red head (from anyone) is a horrible piece of junk that should have died years ago, it only persists because, well, "stick some frost on and it works, sort of".

I think Mahoney should go for the 2.5k frensel off bblist I linked to Might have to get a new light stand though....

A Dual-Source Twister is a very nice lamp, uniquely designed for broadcast use in the UK - and they are still in use in TVC and elsewhere (although sadly not in the more recent studios). However, unless you want to get into full-staturation rigs with a decent high ceiling and motorised hoists, its not practical! Its also not a lamp to put on a stand. There were a whole load for sale when MTV closed its studios in Camden (ex-GMTV) recently.

 

[itsdavedotnet]

A red head (from anyone) is a horrible piece of junk that should have died years ago, it only persists because, well, "stick some frost on and it works, sort of".

Amen to that

 

[paul williams]

I used to use a Bron one, from memory it was 14" diameter. The Lencarta one is 8" diameter and is fine, although not quite as versatile as the larger Bron one. The Arri Junior is only 5.5" diameter, personally I don't think it's anywhere near large enough. Useful for small product photography though.

Yes, I've only got a 6" one and it really does limit its use.

Paul

 

[Mahoneyd187]

Yes, I've only got a 6" one and it really does limit its use.

Paul

It's a balance for what you need to be fair, the Bron Flooter or similar would be great but at 14" it'd need to be way way back for me to get the shadow I want. Working on a beauty shot up close a smaller diameter would be ok, as long as it doesnt need to be so close it fries their face lol

 

[Garry Edwards]

It's a balance for what you need to be fair, the Bron Flooter or similar would be great but at 14" it'd need to be way way back for me to get the shadow I want. Working on a beauty shot up close a smaller diameter would be ok, as long as it doesnt need to be so close it fries their face lol

Danny,
The larger it is, the easier it is to get a range of different effects.
14" is perfect
8" is perfectly adequate
5 1/2" isn't.

Trust me on this.

 

[Mahoneyd187]

Danny,
The larger it is, the easier it is to get a range of different effects.
14" is perfect
8" is perfectly adequate
5 1/2" isn't.

Trust me on this.

It's not like I'm trying to argue, I'm just stuck in the middle as I'm seeking advice from two sources, lol.

If you wanna send me the lencarta fresnel to try then that would be great

 

[Garry Edwards]

It's not like I'm trying to argue, I'm just stuck in the middle as I'm seeking advice from two sources, lol.

If you wanna send me the lencarta fresnel to try then that would be great

No chance
I'm told that they will defo be in the next delivery - probably at the end of the month, and there may be more good news too, not sure.
Meanwhile if you want to drive from Essex to Bradford you're more than welcome to have a play, but with the price of petrol it might just be better to take my word for it...

 

[Mahoneyd187]

No chance
I'm told that they will defo be in the next delivery - probably at the end of the month, and there may be more good news too, not sure.
Meanwhile if you want to drive from Essex to Bradford you're more than welcome to have a play, but with the price of petrol it might just be better to take my word for it...

Ok I'll hold off until then and continue to research lol

How much powerz do these Lencarta fresnel attachments eat up?

I don't suppose you can supply them with an Elinchrom mount?

 

[Garry Edwards]

Ok I'll hold off until then and continue to research lol

How much powerz do these Lencarta fresnel attachments eat up?

I don't suppose you can supply them with an Elinchrom mount?

They 'eat' 1.7 stops compared to the standard reflector, that isn't a lot. See PM for more details

 

[Mahoneyd187]

They 'eat' 1.7 stops compared to the standard reflector, that isn't a lot. See PM for more details

Brilliant

I'll hold fire for now, if you could keep me updated if you remember, that would be great.

Thanks for the advice Garry I appreciate it

 

[Garry Edwards]

Thanks for the explanation Andrew that's really helped.

How are the qualities of light different between the two though? Say if they're placed in identical positions pointed at a flat wall? Sorry to be a pain, just wanna get it straight in my head.

I'm pretty sure I want a fresnel...or a fresnel effect from the sound of it

Sorry, forgot all about it but I made a short video on using a fresnel spot, which (briefly) shows it pointed at a wall.

Found it by accident, it may help

 

[kiteninja]

Dunno if this is any help but i've found one that looks similar to the lencarta one (not saying its the same as i've not seen one just looks similar)

http://www.foto-walser.biz/shop/Kategorie/266/Light_Control.htm