china balls

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...
Right on, bheong. Those things rock! Thanks for researching that and sharing it here!
 
Last edited:
Some time back Home Depot was reported to have plastic one's at a reasonable price. They are not available online, and I always forget to ask when I'm in the store.
 
i made a slight modification to the typical lantern. i used an 18" paper lantern, a metal socket rated up to 660w, an socket splitter allowing two bulbs, and a pair of 65w compact fluorescents (which combined, have the same light output as one 600w tungsten bulb).

bought all the parts from mole-richardson and the compact fluorescents from light bulbs unlimited. for my current production, i made one balanced at 2900K and one balanced at 5500K with spare bulbs for each.

no flicker and no danger of setting the paper lantern on fire.
 
cycnt - got a picture of that?

On the Chimera, sure renting is great if you have a store where to do that. I like
the Chimera lanterns, what I don't like is the $300+ price tag. Those things rock
but they are not affordable for what they are. I need to buy a 650 fresnel, that's
going to cost me close to $600. I just can't put a Chimera lantern in that budget
because I can get a nylon one for so much less. Maybe months from now, yes,
but right now, no.
 
While we're on this topic, does anybody know if a 500w 3200k balanced light could safely operate inside of a 30 inch Chinaball (without it igniting the paper?) Should I look into getting a larger ball or is using a 500 watt light in any paper chinese lantern just a bad idea?
 
YES. The 500 watt will work inside a 30" lantern...Just make sure the bulb is as close as possible to the center of the unit. Also make sure that the cord and light bulb receptacle are rated for this kind of wattage ...
 
I built this unit for my chinaballs (it's not the greatest pic..it's all i have right now):

chinaball02.jpg


It allows me to put 2 bulbs in there and because of the rod it's sturdy so I can orientate it in a grip head at any angle. With the flimsy supplied frame it's difficult to do.
 
crazymcnutjob said:
While we're on this topic, does anybody know if a 500w 3200k balanced light could safely operate inside of a 30 inch Chinaball (without it igniting the paper?) Should I look into getting a larger ball or is using a 500 watt light in any paper chinese lantern just a bad idea?
Click to expand...

We used to use a tube of wire mesh to keep the bulb from hitting the paper, still had to be carefull...
Now we also use the high power fluo bulbs, cause they don´t get that hot...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top