Chimera or Britek

T

TMFilms

Well-known member
I am currently looking into getting a softbox setup and was going to buy a Chimera to put on one of my 2 Lowel DP's. I was pricing out different options and happeded to come across the Britek site and saw they have a nice looking setup as well. Here are my 2 options:

Chimera Video Pro Plus 1 size small 24"x32"........$233
Speed Ring for DP light.........................................$90
total......................................................................$323

Britek Dual power 500/1k watt softbox setup........$199


I am really not sure which option to choose. I do like the idea of the Britek being able to be either a 500w or a 1k in the same light and it is a bit larger of a soft light surface @ 32"x 32". The main thing I am not sure of is the quality of the britek. How do the people here that have this britek setup like it.

Thanks for the help,
Travis
 
can't speak to the dual wattage lights, but I have two of the 300W briteks and have been very happy. In fact, I'm buying two more next week. The soft boxes aren't super-durable, but they work great - just need a little bit of babying.
 
Chimera softbanks are of a higher quality. I personally have used the Britek lights, and my opinion of them is that I believe them to be good for a low-budget production, but not measuring up, as far as being able to withstand the abuse of a busy filmmaking schedule. I would not make a major investment into these lights. The stands that come with the kit, are reason alone to avoid this brand. I realize that there are several members on this site that own these lights. I have heard nightmares and some good things about them. But to sum up my feelings about them...They are not rugged, simply made, and will not last very long.
I am a working gaffer, I have years of experience with lights. To me, they are to be used, only if you have no other lights, or can't afford to invest in either Arri lights or Mole Richardsons. Wow, I just re-read this..I sound like a horse's rear end... sorry. But I'm just being honest..
 
filmat11 said:
Chimera softbanks are of a higher quality. I personally have used the Britek lights, and my opinion of them is that I believe them to be good for a low-budget production, but not measuring up, as far as being able to withstand the abuse of a busy filmmaking schedule. I would not make a major investment into these lights. The stands that come with the kit, are reason alone to avoid this brand. I realize that there are several members on this site that own these lights. I have heard nightmares and some good things about them. But to sum up my feelings about them...They are not rugged, simply made, and will not last very long.
I am a working gaffer, I have years of experience with lights. To me, they are to be used, only if you have no other lights, or can't afford to invest in either Arri lights or Mole Richardsons. Wow, I just re-read this..I sound like a horse's rear end... sorry. But I'm just being honest..
Click to expand...

As an owner and endorser (qualified endorsements) of Britek's - I don't think you sound like a horse's arse at all. No way in hell would I ever compare these to Arri's or Mole's and I sure wouldn't advise them to be used in day-to-day heavy use or in a rental house. I suppose I assume that anyone considering using them is like myself - doing low budget productions and in a postition where we know the lights can be pampered a bit.

Briteks are great lights at their price point - I've never had a problem with mine. If you don't have to treat them roughly - they will be fine (they're not THAT delicate; they're just not moles or arris.) If you need some workhorse lights that can withstand some abuse - these aren't for you. I wouldn't consider Lowels to be in that category either.
 
As of right now, I am not doing any professional work for anyone else. I am currently making an indy film with my HVx for around $30-$40k including the $20 something I already have into equipment. It sounds like I could go with the britek if I take care of it real well though.
 
TMFilms said:
As of right now, I am not doing any professional work for anyone else. I am currently making an indy film with my HVx for around $30-$40k including the $20 something I already have into equipment. It sounds like I could go with the britek if I take care of it real well though.
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My advice would be to buy one or two and see what you think. I would advise against the stands, though. I haven't tried the so-called "heavy duty" stands but I hear they aren't exactly that. But, I'm not practicing what I preach because I'm ordering another 600W kit (300w x2) with stands, light box, and not-so-great carrying cases for under $300! For that price, I figure the stands and extras are almost disposable (I'll ditch them when they tear up - not that I'll try to tear them up.)
 
For what it's worth, their old heavy duty stands were far superior to the last one I got from them. I'd advise against their stands, to be honest. I've had great success with their lights, though.
 
Britek stands = bad in my experience. Actually, the lights I have (650W) blow more bulbs then I would like to count (not user error here!). I don't really use them anymore.

But anyway, I am going with a Chimera and DP set exactly like you. Got the Chimera today and will get the DP on Monday so I will report back if you want. I have worked with Chimera before and I have to say buy it. Honestly, the build quality alone coupled with the amount of accessories you can get with them make them a million times better then the Briteks. A Chimera will last you for years.
 
I just shot an interview for PBS and used the Britek 500/1000's. The two producers from PBS commented on the nice softboxes. I have used them for about a year now on different projects and am extremely happy with them. Whatever you buy, make sure that you have dimmers for them. I built my own out of parts purchased at OSH for about $20 and have five of them. Used 3 in the interview last Tuesday. They are the best way to go.
 
Go with the Chimera...well made and no hot spot with the internal diffuser.
I have a set of Briteks (2 focussing 650s and a 250 with softboxes) and they are ok, but certainly won't hold up to extended use. The front diffusion panels all have hot spots due to the material used (read cheaper!) and lack of the additional internal baffle.
The Chimera is built to take heavy use and will last for years.

Just my .02.
Ken
the Screen Skins guy
 
BennisHahn said:
Britek stands = bad in my experience. Actually, the lights I have (650W) blow more bulbs then I would like to count (not user error here!). I don't really use them anymore.

But anyway, I am going with a Chimera and DP set exactly like you. Got the Chimera today and will get the DP on Monday so I will report back if you want. I have worked with Chimera before and I have to say buy it. Honestly, the build quality alone coupled with the amount of accessories you can get with them make them a million times better then the Briteks. A Chimera will last you for years.
Click to expand...
Yes, please report back.

Thanks
 
I just bought a Chimera Video Pro Small for my Redhead and love it. I've only used Chimera (the quartz bank and video pro series) and they hold up very well in the field. I've also used Lowel's Rifa light which is kind of interesting with their all in one design although I haven't used one long enough to say anything about the durability. If I had to consider anything other than Chimera I would look at Photoflex's products.
 
I saw a Photoflex get walked into a ceiling fan on high speed a few years ago (right into the diffusion panel). Besides making an awful sound, no damage was done. They can take a beating.:)
 
Ok. So having played with my new Chimera all day, I can say nothing but GO FOR IT!

Everything is top quality build and looks like you could use it as a weapon if you had too., Nice heft without being heavy. At first you think that the Chimera is less "sturdy" (for lack of a better term). This isn't really true, it just has more play then the Britek. For instance, when mounted on a speed ring, the poles don't stretch the fabric to where you could cut it with a butter knife. There is some play left in there.

The next greatest thing would have to be the amount of diffusion you can select. The thing ships with 2x full f-stop diffusion barriers as well as a 1/2-stop and 1/4 stop. They Velcro on in seconds just inside the front of the box.

The last thing it simply speed. It is a few seconds to set up and break down and it doesn't require that much force either!

All-in-all a great product compared to the Briteks. Briteks will save you money, Chimera will save you headaches.

On another note: I was pleasantly surprised at the build quality of the Lowel DP. It seems much more sturdy then the omni (which I was considering). Happy with that purchase too!
 
Make sure if you are buying Chimera that there are 2 types - "Plus One" and "Plus". "Plus One" models come with only 1 panel (+ internal baffle). The "Plus" models will come with Full Grid cloth, 1/4 and 1/2 as BennisHahn got.
 
i was thinking of getting briteks sift boxes also before reading about them here i thought about getting JTL soft boxes which would be better does any one know help help help

peace n luv

Maek Dog
 
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