Anyone have comments about Arri vs Altman Fresnel ?

mochouinard

mochouinard

Well-known member
I would like to know what you guys think of both of them.

I am currently looking to get fresnel lamps... I got brainwashed by Rush video about Arri, but local stores can get the Altman more easily... so I wanted to know what you recommand !

Thanks
 
Altman makes some fantastic lights. They're extremely similar to Arri. If it's easier for you to get the Altmans, I'd say go for it. You won't be disappointed.
 
Love the Altman Pro Line. Like the Arris, they're a little less robust in the casing than a Bardwell & McAllister or Mole Richardson fixture.

Focus in the fresnel (I've used the baby, hot 1k and 2k junior specifically) is smoother than in the Moles.

I'm not saying they're better lights than Arri or Mole, but it's hard to argue with the price of their packages if you're on a budget.

e
 
I've been curious about the focusing mechanism in the Altmans... they advertise a new, butter smooth action. I was disappointed in the action of my Mole Tweenie IIs... considering the price. Arris are standard location fair around STL and I'm not too impressed with the action in those either... so when I saw Altman specifically boasting this point I thought I'd give them a try on my next go around.

The other thing that I don't see mentioned too much... is that with the moles you need to get the mole adapter for many stands. This blew my mind... after paying a premium for these fresnels I had to buy another part for each of them before they were secure on some of my stands.
 
MattinSTL,

Did your Moles come with a junior pin? I know it's standard for 2ks and seniors, but I can't imagine what you got with those tiny little fixtures!

I've bought a lot of TVMPs over the years. :(

e
 
I bought these (tweenie II at $369 ea):

166977.jpg


And to my surprise I had to buy these (manfrotto mole adapter at $11 ea):

5361.jpg


At that point a 650 fresnel that fits normal lightstands costs $380 if it's a Mole and only $285 if it's an Altman... and I'd have expected the action to be the best available on the Moles... but it 'aint. There's a screw in there with a track in it... like a groove, but not screw threads... so that it's just about 2 twists or something to go from flood to spot. Anyway, this feels "grindy" and neanderthal in it's action. I'm a freak about this type of stuff... I like german precision... so anyway... that's why I'm going to try the Altmans next.

The Arris are okay... but still not that great. I worked with a Desisti one time and the action really surprised me (smooth buttah)... IIRC the Lowel fresnel also felt good.

Of course none of this has anything to do with the quality of your production... so I'm sure some pros are reading my blather and rolling their eyes... but when I'm laying out that cash I like to feel like I made a good choice... and all I'm saying is with the Moles leading the pack on price I would have expected the action in them to be first place... not third or fourth. Clearly the Mole yokes are nice... and I'm guessing that's part of the reason for the cost.

Kind of a long way around the point I guess... but to top it off... when I got my Moles and they wouldn't sit securely on some of my stands... I was blown away to find that, "wait a minute... you need the 5/8" to 5/8" adapter so that you can use that 5/8" spiggot on a 5/8" spud"... pretty stupid huh?
 
For what it's worth, I love the focus action on my Altman 650L. It just feels "right" to me, if you know what I mean.
 
Horse,

Does the 650 have the iris rod style (for lack of a better description) focus shuttle too?

e
 
overlandfilms said:
Horse,

Does the 650 have the iris rod style (for lack of a better description) focus shuttle too?

e
Click to expand...

It's got the worm gear style, but it's very smooth. I'm not familiar with the iris rod style, what is that?
 
MattinSTL said:
I like german precision...
Click to expand...
You could always try the Dedolight 650W. It may not be the best way to allocate funds if you're on a budget, but if you want that feeling of having the best there is (feels like a BMW) with incredibly smooth focusing action and a perfectly clean beam with zero hot spots, then try the Dedo. The price of these things is outrageous. But, it'll satisfy your craving for precision engineering in a 650W focusable light fixture. Did I mention the built in gel clips on the barndoors? :-) Cheers.
 
I use the little Dedos all the time... mostly for cookie, but whatever. It's a cool little light. I think the portability and efficiency are the main selling points... I probably won't be buying too many of those though. Never tried the bigger Dedo.

From Altman's website:

"Included in every Proline fixture is Altman's new "F/S EZ Glide System" which allows the tray assembly to flood and spot with ease."
 
Briteks feature gel clips too... and we all know about the quality of those lumps.

Dedos are sexy, to be sure.

I've seen the worm drive, but there is also a rack and pinion version with the shuttle riding on a pair of rods.

e
 
overlandfilms said:
I've seen the worm drive, but there is also a rack and pinion version with the shuttle riding on a pair of rods.
Click to expand...

Ahhh yes. My 650L has the rods as well.
 
But your 650 is otherwise worm driven? That might be on the smaller fixtures due to a lack of space. Perhaps this new Flood / Spot EZ Glide is Altman's more universal answer to the problem of smooth operability.

If you want stone-age, try focusing the old mogul base theatrical fixtures. Hope you have your gloves!

e
 
MattinSTL said:
Never tried the bigger Dedo.
Click to expand...
Dedo 650W is an impressively built fixture, but not a particularly impressive light (other than the clean beam). My footcandle meter says it's only 2x as bright as the Dedo 150W. I'd say pass. I bought one for the fun of it, but I think 3 Altman's would be more useful than one Dedo, which costs as much as 3 Altman's.......
 
I think the rods are part of the EZ Glide system... the worm is the drive and the rods are guide tracks for the reflector mount (shuttle).

My intention was only to point out that Altman is aware of this little pet peeve of mine... that when you spend big bucks for a tool you want it to feel good.

Moral of the story? If you want it to feel good then get EZ Glide.
 
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