DIY Kino Flo 4-light set

[kawikao]

These were made from two 6-light fixtures from Home Depot and coroplast. Here's a spreadsheet I used to gather parts.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ap6oMFKAB1-4dHRhNzgtbVdtRTFNZzBLNU5QZVZBVlE#gid=1

 

[nothing]

Looks good!

 

[Ted Ramasola]

Looks Good. Is there no flicker?

 

[kawikao]

Thanks. No flicker because the ballasts are electronic with an operating frequency above 42Khz as opposed to magnetic ballasts which operate at the line frequency (50/60 Hz).

 

[charlierubi]

Nice job!!

And thanks for the spreadsheet. I miss the "insides" of the ballast though, any hint would be appreciated.

 

[Ted Ramasola]

Thanks. No flicker because the ballasts are electronic with an operating frequency above 42Khz as opposed to magnetic ballasts which operate at the line frequency (50/60 Hz).

Thank you for sharing. I might give this a try.

 

[kawikao]

Nice job!! And thanks for the spreadsheet. I miss the "insides" of the ballast though, any hint would be appreciated.

Here's some more pictures which includes a view inside the box.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/113053184636543874722/albums/5792948460355580017

Each fixture contains two 3-light ballasts, plenty of black & white AC wire (for the ballast box) and 1000V blue & red wire (for wiring the new fixtures). I still had to get some more 600V red & green wire to finish the fixtures. Let me know if you have any more questions.

 

[charlierubi]

Sweet! and thanks a lot for sharing!

 

[kawikao]

You're welcome. I wanted to share a mod I did. I added side pieces to the barn doors so it both blocks spillage and strengthens the long doors so I can attach a diffuser or grid. Here's a picture. More pics on my G+ page showing the light control. Cheers

 

[Matthew B]

What sort of output are you getting with each light?

 

[kawikao]

I don't have a meter yet so I can't give hard readings. Using all 4 fixtures for a headshot with the subject 2' away, the D800 exposure is right where I want it to be at iso 100, f2.8 and shutter at 1/200th.

I wanted a wider catch light and also to reduce/eliminate the small gaps between bulbs and fixtures that look like black shadows in the subject's eyes. A diffuser may do that. I'll do some shots tomorrow.