cinematography what to get?

[dvdguy]

Hi filmmakers,

My question is, what can I buy to get daylight in a wide shot? My living room for example? I dont have the cash to go buy an HMI but is there cheap way around it? (I need high CRI, over 90). But I would need something strong, like a hard type of light for a bigger spread. Of course, I thought of placing perhaps 3 flood lights but the range is really not that good and the ISO needs to be 400 or less. Is there a way?

Thanks

 

[chilipie]

The only way to get a hard daylight source is with an HMI, as far as I know. Cool Lights have a range of (relatively) low-cost HMIs, but they still don't come cheap. If you're after quantity of light more than hard light in particular, an array of CFLs could be put together fairly cheaply and would be much more efficient than converting tungsten to daylight.

 

[dvdguy]

The only way to get a hard daylight source is with an HMI, as far as I know. Cool Lights have a range of (relatively) low-cost HMIs, but they still don't come cheap. If you're after quantity of light more than hard light in particular, an array of CFLs could be put together fairly cheaply and would be much more efficient than converting tungsten to daylight.

Interesting. Okay, could you provide me with a link of those CFL's? Not sure what you mean. And these CFL's are basically sort of like flood lights only with a longer range and can give out more power? (the ISO 400 part)

 

[chilipie]

Interesting. Okay, could you provide me with a link of those CFL's? Not sure what you mean. And these CFL's are basically sort of like flood lights only with a longer range and can give out more power? (the ISO 400 part)

CFL = Compact Fluorescent Lamp.

For the same light output as a tungsten bulb, I think they use around 20-30% of the power. High-output bulbs with a decent CRI (Colour Rendering Index - 90+ is desirable, 80+ is acceptable) can be expensive, but they're small and probably the most cost-effective way of creating daylight-balanced light.

 

[mad_hatter]

Yep, from my research fluorescents will give around 4x the output of a tungsten. For example, you could get a 57W fluorescent that gives an output of 4300 lumens, or 75LPW (lumens per watt). These lamps give a CCT of around 4000K and a CRI of 85+. A tungsten lamp will tend to have a max. of 20LPW.

Not sure if this helps you at all?

 

[Cracker Funk]

I vote CFL all the way! I've used them. So much easier than using gels.

One question, though -- will your windows have blinds on them? If not (or, if you open the door), the strength of the sunlight will result in a blown-out image, unless you've got a whole lot of lights inside.

 

[dvdguy]

chilipie - Yes, I actually have many of these at home. You see, these CFL's were the very reason I wanted to buy something else.

I mean, I have a home-made light fixture with 5 CFL's attachted to it and a big home made softbox. However, the range is not that good. Apparently, through testing I noticed I need more power output, something stronger. These CFL's are kind of good for close - medium shots, though I cant find a way to use them to light up the whole living room for that wide shot and still maintain 400 ISO! A HUGEEE softbox with 100's of CFL's could do it maybe? Note that I need it so lit that the ISO must not go over 400!

Mad hater - how do you check how much CRI a fluorescent has? I do have 5500K daylight CFL's just not sure how much CRI do they have. Doesnt say.

Cracker Funk - I was thinking of ordering gels, but they'll just kill the intensity of the light (3 stops I believe?). Im not really planning on shooting the windows just because I heard they can be troublesome (overblown). On a side note, I know there just has to be way around that problem, perhaps change exposure settings? Not sure.