5600k vs 3200k

[jaket]

I just finished up on a shoot where the gaffer used a mixture of 3200k lights and 5600k lights, and I noticed that the 5600k lighted scenes seem to look a lot better, is there a technical reason for this? Or am I just imagining things?

 

[Cool Lights]

I just finished up on a shoot where the gaffer used a mixture of 3200k lights and 5600k lights, and I noticed that the 5600k lighted scenes seem to look a lot better, is there a technical reason for this? Or am I just imagining things?

Some cameras (like the RED for instance) have sensors that are more responsive to daylight lighting than to to tungsten so that could be one possibility. Normally though, with white balance you shouldn't notice so much difference between the two with a camera that responds equally well to tungsten or daylight.

 

[ProfessorU]

I think primaries look a little cleaner under 5600k, even after white balance. I have always attributed this to CRI and the camera's native white balance. I shoot a kids' TV show and wish I could light it with HMIs.

It could also have something to do with overall available light level. Lighting with 8,000w of HMI will give you a lot more light than 8,000w of standard tungsten.