Another China Ball Thread: How to attach this thing to a C-Stand

S

SDub

Well-known member
So I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a china ball set up for my hobbyist basement lighting set up and this is in my shopping cart:

1. 30" China Ball Lantern: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BAV1ZQQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3GD7WNZ4DOZWO
2. Hilariously Large 200W CFL: https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/1573/FC200-FEIIB200W.html
3. 600 watt 9' Cord: http://www.filmtools.com/chinlansocas-3879.html

And some $100 C stand off craigslist w/a gobo arm.

I've been digging through a ton of china ball posts and other things on the internet and I found the filmlocks rig for the chinaball, but it doesn't accommodate a 30" lantern (is that overkill?) and it's a lot of money. How do you guys attach the wire frame of the lantern to a gobo arm? Gaff tape?

Also, feel free to critique my lantern loadout.
 
Right off the bat I see issues with your order. You have a Mogul base light with a medium base socket. Also I think you may have issues with the light trying to occupy the same space as the wire frame in the Chinese lantern. With that type lantern the wire frame has a loop holder which hangs the light from the power cord.
 
David W. Jones said:
Right off the bat I see issues with your order. You have a Mogul base light with a medium base socket. Also I think you may have issues with the light trying to occupy the same space as the wire frame in the Chinese lantern. With that type lantern the wire frame has a loop holder which hangs the light from the power cord.
Click to expand...

Good catch! Would you recommend a different cord or light? I'm not married to either.

Also, I'm not 100% sure what you're saying in the second bit, specifically about "light trying to occupy the same space as the wire frame". I am aware that you typically tie the cord around the bracket at the top of the wire frame, but how do you then attach the cord to the C-stand? Do you just run the cord through a hole in the grip head and then wind it around the arm?
 
I know they have bases that have pins you attach directly into a head. I didn't get one of those. I just put a loop in the cord and slide it over the end of the arm or on the end of an older aluminum boom pole I don't use anymore.

just get everything from film tools. Scroll past the $600 poker light and you'll see the lantern lock. They're actually on the second page of my browser.

http://www.filmtools.com/ligdep/lighting-equipment/light-fixtures-kits/chinlan.html

i think what David is saying is that bulb may be too big for the hole.
 
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StrobelPhotography said:
One is a China ball. The other is the lanterlock internals. Socket, frame, wire etc.

this bulb fits the 30" (for what is worth the silk ones last longer).
https://www.amazon.com/Eiko-81180-S...dp/B000IBS73I?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0
Click to expand...

Should I be concerned about the CRI of that bulb? Alzo makes an 85 watt bulb with a proclaimed CRI of 91: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0019HZQPM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AISFWZQJ85MSG

I could get a fixture and use a few of those bulbs in one 30" lantern and get a lot of output at a higher CRI.
 
That sounds like a plan. Go for it! Let us know how the alzo bulb is color wise.


fwiw I think the lantern locks would be over kill if they're just staying in your basement.
 
StrobelPhotography said:
How much have you used this? Can you talk about how well made it is? Do you travel with it? This thing looks like a Jem ball rip off for a 1/4 of the price.
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Yes, it seems the same as the Jem Ball. I don't have the Jem Ball. So can't compare the both. Mine is quality and made well, not the cheap materials. I used several times, like it. It was closed 25 in. long. Lamp Holder is E40. Great softbox and recommend.
 
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