flash vs continuous lighting
- Thread starter onthejazz
- Start date
David W. Richardson
Chapelgrove Films
No.
Flash units are strobe units. All they do is flash a light for a tiny fraction of a second. They're used for still photography. Some flash units do have modeling lights, which are continuous lights that allow you to see where the light from the flash unit is going to fall. But modeling lights tend to be fairly low wattage.
Continuous lights are what you need for video work.
Flash units are strobe units. All they do is flash a light for a tiny fraction of a second. They're used for still photography. Some flash units do have modeling lights, which are continuous lights that allow you to see where the light from the flash unit is going to fall. But modeling lights tend to be fairly low wattage.
Continuous lights are what you need for video work.
David W. Richardson
Chapelgrove Films
Can you provide a link so we can see those lights?
AwakenedFilms
Veteran
Tungsten bulbs are balanced to 3200 degrees kelvin (close to indoor light bulbs). They are full spectrum lights. They require a lot of power and generate a lot of heat. The film and video standard is the Tungsten Fresnel. Good models include Mole and Arri. The largest wattage that can be used on a household circuit is a 2,000 watt, or 2k.
Fluorescent bulbs can be balanced anywhere between 3200 and 5600 degrees kelvin. They are not full spectrum lights and usually have a nasty green spike (although higher the CRI bulbs do a better job at proper color rendition). They require less power and generate very little heat. The film and video standard is the Kino. Cool LIghts is a cheaper alternative. Wattage to luminance is a far greater ratio than Tungsten lights (it takes a lot less power to generate the same luminance).
Generally, Tungstens are a good all around choice. They can be focused and controlled easily. They can produce hard or soft light. They are relatively durable. Fluorescents are good soft lights and excel when needing to match 5600K or the color temperature of daylight.
Either way you go, try not to skimp. A good light set will out last your camera.
Jason
Fluorescent bulbs can be balanced anywhere between 3200 and 5600 degrees kelvin. They are not full spectrum lights and usually have a nasty green spike (although higher the CRI bulbs do a better job at proper color rendition). They require less power and generate very little heat. The film and video standard is the Kino. Cool LIghts is a cheaper alternative. Wattage to luminance is a far greater ratio than Tungsten lights (it takes a lot less power to generate the same luminance).
Generally, Tungstens are a good all around choice. They can be focused and controlled easily. They can produce hard or soft light. They are relatively durable. Fluorescents are good soft lights and excel when needing to match 5600K or the color temperature of daylight.
Either way you go, try not to skimp. A good light set will out last your camera.
Jason
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David W. Richardson
Chapelgrove Films
Okay, it has a 500w modeling light, but why pay extra for the strobe part that you have no use for? Just buy a good 500w continuous light.
v.good point.
I am quite keen on the following interfit lights.
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy...olarlite-two-head-softbox-kit-large-/p1027288
However, I'm worried that at 1000W they may be too powerful. I can't seem to get any useful information from interfit. I would like to know if I could turn the power down. Conversely, the softbox for this item is 100*140cm. Perhaps this is too big and I would not have enough light. I really don't know how the scenario may play out. I may be better of getting a 500W bulb with a smaller softbox like
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy...n-500w-two-head-umbrella-softbox-kit/p1027274
I'm actually going to be filming someone teaching. So, I'd imagine I would have the key light about 1-2 metres away from my subjects face.
I am quite keen on the following interfit lights.
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy...olarlite-two-head-softbox-kit-large-/p1027288
However, I'm worried that at 1000W they may be too powerful. I can't seem to get any useful information from interfit. I would like to know if I could turn the power down. Conversely, the softbox for this item is 100*140cm. Perhaps this is too big and I would not have enough light. I really don't know how the scenario may play out. I may be better of getting a 500W bulb with a smaller softbox like
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy...n-500w-two-head-umbrella-softbox-kit/p1027274
I'm actually going to be filming someone teaching. So, I'd imagine I would have the key light about 1-2 metres away from my subjects face.
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