Cool Lights -- CDM or Tungsten?

Duff

Duff

Well-known member
I'm upgrading from worklights to real lighting equipment, and I've been sold on cool lights. I'm definitely going to be buying a 455P flo, but then I'm not sure if I should go tungsten or CDM for the rest of the kit. If I go tungsten, I would be buying two 650s and a 300 for ~$200 each. If I go the CDM route, there's only the one 150w light that is a 650 tungsten equivalent for $400 -- I would only be able to buy one or two of these at first, and add another one or two as I got more money.

Obviously the CDM/HMI route is the way of the future, because they run cooler, are daylight balanced, etc. However, if I wanted something weaker like a 300 equivalent, what would my options be with the CDM? ND gels to bring the output down? Essentially, would there be enough versatility in several models of that same light to cover most situations, or would I find myself wanting lesser-powered lights? I'm not sure which package would be more useful if those are the only lights I own.

So, CL-455P flo, 2 x 650w fresnel, 2 x 300w fresnel
OR, CL-455P flo, 2 x 150w CDM fresnel? (with possibly a third added later)
 
Well I don't know what others think but I'll offer an opinion. I'm definitely biased toward the CDMs as thats been my pet project now for quite some time. The quick answer of course would be just to get the tungsten fresnels of lower wattage. If you're determined to go the energy efficient route though, the ultimate answer to this would be one of 3 things I can think of:

1). Get a 70w CDM bulb which fits in the same socket (yes it is available), get a 70w ballast to replace our 150w ballast and your're set. The 70w bulbs are the same physical size and use the same socket so it is literally a change of bulb and ballast.

2). Richard finds a 150w ballast with a half intensity switch as a future product--yes its possible but I haven't found the dimmable, reasonably priced 150w CDM ballast yet. There are dimmable ones though that can go to 50% but they're a bit higher in cost. Thus there's your 300w equivalent.

3). Use ND gels as you said to lower intensity.

4). Use scrims to lower intensity.

Can't think of anything else at the moment. Maybe someone else can.
 
I cannot think of but a handful of instances where I have had too much light. You can always move them back a bit to reduce their output.

I think the idea of having a 5600k source to start with is a blessing and at the Cool Lights cost is a total "why not?"

I am going with a couple of those CDM models after the holidays myself.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top