3200 watt Daylight Florescent Lighting Kit

S

Spiral

Active member
Hello Folks,

Thank you for providing information on Flo versus Tungsten in previous threads. It was very helpful! I am just about to drop some cash on these lights and wondered if anyone has had experience with them.

http://www.pclightingsystems.com/

They are Florescent lights and seem to have many advantages. I would also like to get some fresnels-style lights to detail a set, but any opinions on this lighting system would be very helpful.

Thanks again!
 
Linking....

Linking....

Hi Dan!

Thanks for the info! I am not sure what is happening, I used both IE and Mozilla and seem to be connecting with the link. Here it is again, just in case something was not working with the previous.

http://www.pclightingsystems.com/
 
I'd be very suspicious of those lights because it looks like they're using household fluorescent tubes and they're not likely to have a high CRI (continuous light spectrum). I'd rather have one decent light than three cheap ones and gor $700 you can chip in a extra few hundred for a Kino-Flo or maybe check out the new RoloLights and get something designed for designed for filmmaking rather than an el cheapo special. Search on the board and find the flos people like before splashing out for this set.
 
Thanks Barry!

I bought a DVX100b off of EVS because of your extensive thread on the matter, thanks! I am most satisfied with it, and glad I didn't go with a Greymarket camera!
I saw the lights today and they *seemed* ok, perhaps if lacking in a little light. They are the BRITEK brand of light. Anyway, I think I am going to wait, as I feel too rushed to get these. Has anyone used Britex lights?

I may just succumb to tungsten since they are tried and true.
 
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You mean Britek. Lots of people here have used the open face tungsten lights (I have several myself) but have not used these flos (did not know they made them, must be new or something). I think Britek is a decent starter light but am looking to upgrade into Arri's myself. There are both sides of the fence on this board. Some hate them, some have had no problems and really like them. I have had a few problems but nothing I believe is any different than problems with other lights. Am curious about the fotodiox lights puredrifing linked to.
 
Hi guys:

I will be writing an article for my friend's website on the entire low budget Flo experience, making your own versus buying cheap stuff like the Fotodiox lights. Even though I am making my own and trying out the T-400 from Fotodiox, I am using Kino lamps (both the KF-29s and the KF-55s).

For my home assembled Diva 200s, I also bit the bullet and went to the Kino parts bin to buy their light mounting setup, it is by far the best. By implementing the lamps and mounting system that the Diva uses, it does boost the cost by about $150.00 per fixture but at least if you are using the Kino lamps with a good ballast, you know you are getting basically the same light quality as the Diva. My lights, when all is said and done, will cost about $250.00 per fixture for the equivalent of a Diva 200, which retails for about U.S. $600.00.

As for the mounting options, I have been experimenting with different baby plates, rotating ball joint Arri plates, etc. but the Kino lollipop mount is by far the slickest.

All I need now is a free weekend to sit down and actually finish these and shoot some tests and stills.

All the best,

Dan
 
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I would be careful about buying flo's from any company that does not post the CRI for their lights on their site. I contacted one company that was supposedly selling video flo kits and found that the CRI of their bulbs was too low for video work, according to John Jackman's lighting book. In fact, the CRI was lower than some inexpensive flo's sold at Home Depot. Another odd thing about the link Spiral provided is that their FAQs were just that--questions. No answers provided--at least none that were accessible to my browser.
 
Hi Kwoff:

Exactly why I advise buying DIY stuff without bulbs and going to Filmtools and buying the Kino 55 watt Biax tubes. They are $22.00 ea., not cheap by any means but they last forever and will be color accurate. You get what you pay for IMHO.

Dan
 
Going with the Flo

Going with the Flo

Thanks for your comments and concerns everyone!

I respect your opinions, and in such, have decided not to go with these lights. I will most likely spend the cash and get a good tungsten kit.

The whole thing just didn't feel right, and besides, I like to be able to shape and mold my light much more than these lights could. I'll stick with traditional for now.
 
puredrifting said:
Hi Kwoff:

Exactly why I advise buying DIY stuff without bulbs and going to Filmtools and buying the Kino 55 watt Biax tubes. They are $22.00 ea., not cheap by any means but they last forever and will be color accurate. You get what you pay for IMHO.

Dan
Click to expand...

Also BHPhotovideo has GE Cinplus 55 watt Biax tubes rebranded as ARRI for 22.50. The GE Cinplus CRI is rated at 90+. They have both 3200K and 5600K versions.

I have to admit, that box from fotodiox is tempting just for the box itself. I emailed them asking the color temp of the Osrams they are including.
If forgot to ask what rate the ballasts were.

Joe C.
 
Barry_S said:
I'd be very suspicious of those lights because it looks like they're using household fluorescent tubes and they're not likely to have a high CRI (continuous light spectrum). I'd rather have one decent light than three cheap ones and gor $700 you can chip in a extra few hundred for a Kino-Flo or maybe check out the new RoloLights and get something designed for designed for filmmaking rather than an el cheapo special. Search on the board and find the flos people like before splashing out for this set.
Click to expand...

Barry you have a great point, but the 4 bulb head (the round ones with the softboxes) look a lot like the Westcott Turtle TD5 (but for four). Since they are medium screw in you could even put tungsten bulbs in them as long as you didn't exceed max wattage. The Westcotts start at 500USD without bulbs. But the other square boxes, you are probably right and should avoid them.

btw, if you Barry_S from the DC area, you can go to Penn camera and check out the Westcotts to see what I mean. Penn sells the replacement bulbs for around 20USD.
 
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Update...
When I emailed PC lighting systems and asked them what the CRI was on their flos, they emailed back and asked what CRI meant. Not cool.
 
Hi Zeke:

I received the Fotodiox light. Unpacked it, installed the GE Osram lamps, took it across the hall to our studio, put it on a light stand, plugged it in and fired it up...and nothing. Tried switching AC outlets, nothing. Tried switching out the OSHA cable, nothing.

I received a dead light. Hmm...doesn't bode well. I called them and they sent a FedEx pickup to bring it back for an exchange. Cheap lights may mean issues, I will keep you updated on if the replacement works out.

Best,

Dan
 
Thanks Dan. If they work out I'd like to buy a pair for an upcoming shoot.
I guess you can test their customer service in the mean time.

Joe C.
 
Sorry about the lights, Dan...that blows! Please do let us know what your results were. Could you possibly post a link to which light you ordered?

Thanks again!
 
Thanks again!

I have looked at that one as well. I am particularly interested in how that light does in shaping/directing its light (as barn doors would go,) as well as how far it would throw the light. Do post here again when you have tested her out.
 
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