What's focus control on a light do? More questions also...

MatthewC

MatthewC

Well-known member
I'm looking at various kits that offer focus control on open face 600w studio lights.
What exactly is focus control? Does it make the light harder or softer, like using a diffuser?


Also, I'm getting 3 different lights for my kit. Should I get two 600w and one 300w?
Is it better to get a 1200w that is usable at 600w for versitality? Should I make it so my 600w will be able to use 300w bulbs?
Will I need that much lighting power? What's the beginners standard that should do just fine?


I'm trying to figure out if its worth it to get dual powered lights and focus control.

Thanks for any info
 
Last edited:
Focus control only spots or floods the light. Open face are hard lights, can be uneven lighting and require flags, scrims and screens to control. To diffuse or soften you'll have to use a soft box, silk or some sort of diffusion in front. The first thing to learn in lighting is how to control the light. Your not making pretty light, but rather intersesting shadows.As far as dual lights, I don't see any advantage. Reglobing fixtures is not something you do on set usually. It's easy to cut a 1200 down, but impossible to boost a 600. SO I always opt for the bigger fixture and then cut the light as I need to.
 
So is it good to have focus control on the lights I buy, or is it not really necessary?

Also, how strong are the backlights normally? Not quite as strong as they key/fill lights?
 
The focus control on open-faced lights isn't generally as effective as the focus control on a fresnel, but it can still help.

Back lights don't generally have to be very strong (maybe 150-200w, depending on what you're using for your key).
 
HorseFilms said:
The focus control on open-faced lights isn't generally as effective as the focus control on a fresnel, but it can still help.

Back lights don't generally have to be very strong (maybe 150-200w, depending on what you're using for your key).
Click to expand...

Sweet. Looking at this package it sounds very appealing. The only thing is that the 200w light only has a 4 ft stand instead of a 7.5.
Are these Fresnels or open face lights? Does this seem like a decent starting package?

http://www.rostronics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=1500Wfull3kit
 
They are open face lights. I've got some Briteks and they've been really good for me. Other people have reported problems with them, but I've been pretty happy.
 
HorseFilms said:
They are open face lights. I've got some Briteks and they've been really good for me. Other people have reported problems with them, but I've been pretty happy.
Click to expand...
Yeah, you gave me that link from my other thread. What package did you get?
What do you recommend getting? Got any samples of your lights in action or the results?

I figure getting two 600w, one 200w with 7.5 foot tall stands should be versatile enough for starting out with barndoors and softboxes.
Thanks for all your help and info BTW HorseFilms, much appreciated.
 
Last edited:
I didn't buy a package, I just ordered individual lights. Right now, I have 4 Briteks: a 1k, a 600w and a couple 200w. I use the 200w lights more than anything else. I added an Altman 650L fresnel to my kit and I'll be adding more fresnels as time goes by.

If you check my site, everything on there was shot using the Briteks (not exactly stunning work, but it'll give you an idea).
 
I bought the 1k, 650gy and 300. Good for the price, but boy-o-boy do you notice the difference when you put them next to fresnels. And the barndoors leak light out the side.

If I had my time again I'd save for fresnels.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, I don't really have enough money to lay down for the Fresnels. :-(
Those are like 250 bucks a pop. Maybe if I could find some used on Ebay.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top