Affordable China Ball Kit

Alex DePew said:
I know it's not 600W I just worked with 400W array in a paper china ball and it was okay. I was careful to not get anywhere near the paper with the bulbs and turned it off when not in use. China balls rock.

By the way Drew, thanks for the info.
Click to expand...

You used a "Civan Array"....... It has a name now. its a 600Watt capable ~32K lamp, with an average of 1000 hours of life....... ;)

it costs about 25$ and will last as long as the paper lanter will.

click my banner to see grabs shot with it.
 
Kelly Olsen said:
I looked at these and thought they were a great idea and if you are getting paid on a regular basis for your lights they may make sense but for the average low budget person, $85.00 for a socket and wire hanger seems like a lot of money.

For the exact same price you can get a Britek Pro Cool fixture which will hold 4 standard screw base flo's with individual switches in a housing with a light stand connector and a soft box.

I know, I know - Britek! So many complaints here about the hot lights. But I'm going to try this one hoping that the lack of heat from the flo's will make them not melt or blow a fuse.

One tip I was given by another person here is to order from Britek and ask that they replace the flimsy diffuser with a diffuser from one of the hot light soft boxes.

Going to get one this week and put in 4 Sunalux 26 watt 93 CRI which are 5500K and then CTO them down to 3200K. Then with the switches, just toggle on and off until the right out put is achieved.

That is the plan, anyway.
Click to expand...

You haven't really done much research. The lanternlocks are bullet-proof in the way they are built and are MUCH more than a socket and a wire hanger.

I have 3 different sized lanternlocks and with a couple of c-stands I can get really nice lighting . My Briteks are really, really flimsy, but my lanternlocks fitted to a c-stand is impressive and sturdy.

also, the lanternlocks will allow you to add a mogul socket and for $40-60 you can have a nice 1000 watt soft light. I have yet to see one go up in smoke, but it's surely possible.

If you're looking at a Britek with a softbox do yourself a favour and look at the lanternlock. Plus, if you put together a kit that includes a c-stand and a lanternlock you've always got a piece of equipment that can do many different things than just be a light.

My 3 cents worth.

Jason
 
TimurCivan said:
You used a "Civan Array"....... It has a name now. its a 600Watt capable ~32K lamp, with an average of 1000 hours of life....... ;)

it costs about 25$ and will last as long as the paper lanter will.

click my banner to see grabs shot with it.
Click to expand...

Timur, you're a paper lantern believer....now I want to work with you even more. :)

What are you doing in October? :)

Nice grabs.
 
lol. the paper ons give a more organic light. the same reson i dont like Softboxes. TOO even. no texture. loo kat the diffference in the grabs on the katrina shoot, between the one of the girls CU with the two red dots, and the one of of her on her back looking up. the Red dot one was a softbox, and it obliterates any texture. she looks like a porcelin doll. the china ball was used on the bed shot. and she looks, warm, natural and "real" in the sense of film organic reality. not "video" digital perfect.
 
insanityfw said:
You haven't really done much research. The lanternlocks are bullet-proof in the way they are built and are MUCH more than a socket and a wire hanger.

I have 3 different sized lanternlocks and with a couple of c-stands I can get really nice lighting . Jason
Click to expand...

I'm delighted that you are happy with your Lanternlocks and are able to use them with such favorable results.

My "unresearched" desciption of the product and their price was made without any intention of slighting anybody who has purchased them.

I am now looking away from the Britek and looking at the Savage 6 spiral flo bulb unit and/or the Fotodiox 9 spiral flo bulb unit.

They are close to the price of the larger Lanternlock, (which I hear is a fine product:)) and soft boxes are available for them as well.
 
Last edited:
miracom said:
None of the lanterns are rated for 500 watts. You might be able to do it fine, but if something goes wrong you've got a big problem. I especially wouldn't use a large, mogul socket bulb in one unless it was fluorescent.
Click to expand...

Where did you find the lantern ratings at, for heat? I think a 30" nylon china lantern could handle a 500W lamp...in terms of heat. Can anybody expand on this?

Tim, great post on the DIY china balls by the way! If I could find a flo lamp that was powerful enough, (around 500W) I would use that in a heartbeat! ...I just can't at the moment.
 
InvisionProductions said:
Where did you find the lantern ratings at, for heat? I think a 30" nylon china lantern could handle a 500W lamp...in terms of heat. Can anybody expand on this?

Tim, great post on the DIY china balls by the way! If I could find a flo lamp that was powerful enough, (around 500W) I would use that in a heartbeat! ...I just can't at the moment.
Click to expand...

300 watts is what the paper said that came with my 30" china ball.
 
I'd use a flourescent inside the chinaball....much safer methinks. I'm sure there are 300watt flo lights available
 
I have put a 500 watt light in a 24 inch and a 1k in side a 30 inch. Just make sure you turn them off on breaks and at lunch..lol
 
MalcolmOng said:
I'd use a flourescent inside the chinaball....much safer methinks. I'm sure there are 300watt flo lights available
Click to expand...

I was thinking about that, but would you really need the china ball? It seems to me that the fluorescent would be soft enough that you wouldn't need it. Maybe I'm just drinking too early again?:Drogar-Shock(DBG):
 
MalcolmOng said:
I'd use a flourescent inside the chinaball....much safer methinks. I'm sure there are 300watt flo lights available
Click to expand...

Not "readily" but they exist in China. Haven't seen them here yet. They are huge. the 200 watt is about the biggest 8U CFL lamp you see here in the USA for the moment and its already pretty big.
 
HorseFilms said:
I was thinking about that, but would you really need the china ball? It seems to me that the fluorescent would be soft enough that you wouldn't need it. Maybe I'm just drinking too early again?:Drogar-Shock(DBG):
Click to expand...

Sometimes you do. See my aforementioned scenario of people around a conference table. A bare 200 watt 8U CFL bulb is a bit bright and strong. It really helps to have the diffusion material over it sometimes.
 
I just grabbed the setup.

2 lamps. I'm looking to light my greenscreen--lol. They'll be good mobile lamps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top