I am extremely new to film making and have recently purchased a 1k(Type 407) and two 650(Type 4821) Mole-Richardsons on ebay. None of them came with barndoors and I realize now its very difficult to come across barndoors for these specific models on Ebay. I fear I might have to purchase them new and they are expensive. A four leaf barndoor for the tweenies are $64 a piece on bhphotovideo and the 1k isn't even on their but appears to go for around $15 more on various sites. Any recommendations would be great I searched the forums and was unable to come up with anything. Also if there is no way out of purchasing Mole-Richardson brand barndoors is there a site which would be recommended? I appreciate any advice, thankyou.
Do usable 3rd party barndoors exist?
- Thread starter Socksta
- Start date
filmat11
Well-known member
I would explore ebay a little more... There are some sellers that have "Ebay stores", that may be able to help you. Look up Pyramid Films ?? If they dont have any, ask them to find some for you...There are a few more folks on Ebay that have these.. ...The 407 and the 4821 are really common lights, you shouldn't be having this much trouble finding them for a good price..Good hunting...
HorseFilms
Look ma no hands
While I haven't found third party barndoors for those lights, I have found a nice third party barndoor for the Mini Mole. Britek makes a 200w open faced light available from rostronics.com. The barndoors for that are a perfect fit for the Mini Mole and are made pretty well. The Mole doors are about $60 and the Britek doors cost me $12.50 shipped.
Capt Quirk
Veteran
What did you think about the Britek lights?
HorseFilms
Look ma no hands
Capt Quirk said:
I haven't had any problems with them. They were great lights to get me started. However, I've been putting money into fresnel lights because they're far more flexible. I still use the Briteks from time to time, though.
Capt Quirk
Veteran
Tough, reliable, easy to work with? I can't say as too many folk have reported their impressions of them.
HorseFilms
Look ma no hands
There have been widely varying opinions and experiences with them. I've heard of people having problems with bulbs blowing after just a few hours (and having this happen often). I have had zero problems with them. A few things about them:
-The majority of the head is made of plastic, so you don't want to be throwing these things around. They'll last a long time if you treat them well, though. I've had mine for more than 2 years and they're in great shape. The nice thing about being made of plastic is that the heads don't get hot.
-They are focusable, but not very much. It's a fairly narrow adjustment angle.
-The barndoors are very nice and have built-in gel clips, so C-47s aren't necessary.
-They're cheap. Check out their prices at www.rostronics.com
-Don't buy their light stands. They're kinda crappy.
-The majority of the head is made of plastic, so you don't want to be throwing these things around. They'll last a long time if you treat them well, though. I've had mine for more than 2 years and they're in great shape. The nice thing about being made of plastic is that the heads don't get hot.
-They are focusable, but not very much. It's a fairly narrow adjustment angle.
-The barndoors are very nice and have built-in gel clips, so C-47s aren't necessary.
-They're cheap. Check out their prices at www.rostronics.com
-Don't buy their light stands. They're kinda crappy.
Capt Quirk
Veteran
Thanks again Horse- especially for the criticism of their stands. I had a Lowell kit, and hated it, mostly because of the plastic knobs used to try and hold the light in place. After a while, they just wouldn't hold an umbrella.
GageFX
Carbonite Member
My post has nothing to do with Briteks and I dont intend in any way to compare very different lights, the Britek quote only reminded me of something and I'm just sharing.
I have a few Mole 2k (412) and a 5k. During filming last weekend, I friend was adjusting a 2k, 10' up on a CineStand - sandbagged but on a hill. He leaned the light a bit too much - it was on, and had been on for about an hour - and he dumped the stand. As the stand was on a down slope, by the time the light hit ground it had probably fallen a good 15'. The crashing sound was horrendous. I ran out only to see him lifting it back up and the light was still on and burning strong. This was an old used unit from PyramidFilms and had an old used bulb in it. The thing burned strong the next 10 hours. Good times. I'm loving the Moles. (Especially after I blew a Lowell bulb the first time I turned the light on and just moved the "focusing" kob and the motion jarred too much blowing the bulb.
How does any of this fit in? Beats the heck outta me, just wanted to share.
-GageFX
(edit) Oh, here's some SEMI usable info. Pyramid does stock, or can get the barn doors at a good bit less than other outlets.
I have a few Mole 2k (412) and a 5k. During filming last weekend, I friend was adjusting a 2k, 10' up on a CineStand - sandbagged but on a hill. He leaned the light a bit too much - it was on, and had been on for about an hour - and he dumped the stand. As the stand was on a down slope, by the time the light hit ground it had probably fallen a good 15'. The crashing sound was horrendous. I ran out only to see him lifting it back up and the light was still on and burning strong. This was an old used unit from PyramidFilms and had an old used bulb in it. The thing burned strong the next 10 hours. Good times. I'm loving the Moles. (Especially after I blew a Lowell bulb the first time I turned the light on and just moved the "focusing" kob and the motion jarred too much blowing the bulb.
How does any of this fit in? Beats the heck outta me, just wanted to share.
-GageFX
(edit) Oh, here's some SEMI usable info. Pyramid does stock, or can get the barn doors at a good bit less than other outlets.
Capt Quirk
Veteran
That's a tough lamp, and for the price, it out to be!