china balls

Charli

Charli

cool little "title"
Chinese balls are a staple among cinematographers. I've been looking for one
made of vinyl. Went all over town, looked online, anyone know a supplier?

Thanks for the help.
 
Do you guys have sections of town where all the same stuff seem to congregate like fashion and stuff? In NYC there is a 3 block area that has only lighting stores for some reason and they have them there.
 
Chimera makes light balls which are more durable than just the paper china balls if this is what you are referring to?
 
Billy, I'm glad you find it funny. Last thing I want to do is a light an actresses
hair on fire.

Thanks for the tip, Noah. I'll take a look at that. One user mentioned the use
of vinyl but he offered no link or supplier. Paper is all I have found. Thanks.
 
If you're renting lights, many rental houses will also sell china balls in their expendables section. Or just go to an expendables store. That's assuming you're somewhere that those things exist.
 
I picked up some nylon ones from Urban Outfitters last year. I went back this year though and they don't have them anymore. They're branded in their own packaging so it's difficult to track the manufacturer. They work great though - they're more durable and they're pure white which doesn't affect the colour temp so much compared to the paper ones. I'm sure someone else must have them..
 
bheong - I swear to you if you were right here I'd give you a hug until tomorrow!
Thank you, Blain also for that, I had found that one.

bheong - you rock, thank you, thank you!!! Page is bookmarked and I'm off to
buy a couple.
 
Capt - the hotel I work at has an account at a hardware store, I was hoping
to get something with that porcelian thingy. Not sure if they'll have it.
What do you suggest? I can head over this week to see what they've got.
 
I can't really suggest anything, as I haven't had the opportunity to use a Chinese Lantern before. That's why I'm asking you ;)

I did notice that the one store, www.Filmtools.com , has 250 watt 3200k quartz halogen bulbs that screw into a household socket, and they also sell the sockets there. they're like $6 a pop though, but it should provide a better light source than the regular light bulbs you buy for your house.
 
Charli said:
bheong - I swear to you if you were right here I'd give you a hug until tomorrow!
Thank you, Blain also for that, I had found that one.

bheong - you rock, thank you, thank you!!! Page is bookmarked and I'm off to
buy a couple.
Click to expand...


Glad to help! Happy shopping!
 
Capt - eparasol has a cord kit if nothing else for $7 and for lights I thought
about the 65w compact fluorescent that Terry had recommended on another
thread, they cost about $29. The reason I see now that I could not find these
lanterns is that I was searching for vinyl, it's nylon, nylon, Charli, not vinyl.

Woo hoo, shopping-I-a-go!
 
The Chimera China Balls and Lanterns are not cheap but work very well and are much safer than exposing your talent to hot lights in a combustible, small space. Regular paper China Balls limit you to low wattage, low color temp sources that really have wimpy throw. If you buy or rent a Chimera, you can stick a 650 watt or 1K real light into the ball and get a more usable end result.

My .02 worth,

Dan
 
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