Fluorescent Lights 4ft vs. 2ft?

[drcheese]

Hi folks,

So that economic stimulus check is coming soon and, like most of you, I plan to spend it on gear. Specifically I’d like to get a nice soft fluorescent light to add to my Arri Softbank IV Kit, but I have some questions.

I’ve worked with Kino lights on set quite a few times, and the heavily favored model seems to be the 4ft 4 bank. Now I’d like to go with Cool Lights, cause from all I’ve heard the quality, value and customer service is excellent, but they only offer the 2ft 4-bank. So, what kind of limitations should I expect with a 2ft fluorescent over the 4ft?

Most of my work is interviews, corporate or smaller projects, however I’m working to get more into narrative work, targeting a feature to be shot next winter.

I’m wondering as well if dimmable is really worth it for 37% more the cost? Anyone care to ring in?

Also Richard, if you’re reading this, how long will the introductory price on the CL-455P last? Can I wait until the check comes in (sometime in May), or do I need to move up my schedule?


Thanks!

P.S. Is it wrong to spend my economic stimulus check on a company situated in China? :smile:

 

[Cool Lights]

I'll go down the list of general points.

I'm not sure on the intro price. We are going up at some point before too long because we're getting hammered on exchange rates, rising shipping costs, etc.

Dimmable ballasts are more expensive than non-dimmable ones and thus the reason for the higher price. We make both kinds of fixture because we have had a lot of requests for the dimmable versions. I personally don't use dimmable all that often but it can be nice sometimes.

On 2 foot vs. 4 foot, its just a surface area thing. The 4 foot are much better for cyc lighting IMHO. The 2 foot are far more portable and very usable for normal fills and keys. I don't think there are limitations in a biax 55w fixture and that is in fact the industry standard fluorescent fixture. You'll find far more biax 55w fixtures out there from a variety of manufacturers than you will 4 foot 4 banks from Kino Flo who is about the only company that makes such a fixture in a big way. You'll also find far more tube manufacturers for the 55w tube than suitable high CRI ones for 4 foot tubes in 3200K or 5600K. Anytime you have the weight of more choices on your side, the costs will be less--its just part of normal competition.

Also, to clear up one other thing there, we are not a company situated in China. We are in fact a US Corporation that happens to do manufacturing in China. I think you'll find there are quite a few places where you could spend your check that will have the same situation as we do--making things in China or elsewhere in the world and selling in the USA. For that matter, the Arri Softbank kit is "Made in Germany" by a German company or at least so they say.

Hope this helps.

 

[drcheese]

Cool, thanks for the quick response! It was very helpful.

To clarify, by cyc lighting do you mean lighting green screens, back drops and such? I'm not familiar with that term.

Also I didn't mean to imply that the cost for the dimmable versions were artificially inflated, I was more curious how useful people found that feature. If I got 50 replies swearing that buying a non-dimmable fluorescent was like buying a car without an engine, then I'd consider going for that model. But I personally don't think I'd need it that often... which, makes me think I answered my own question

Thanks for clearing up the China/USA thing as well, I made the comment based off of all the posts about shipping from China and your time spent there. Not that any of that matters as I knew Arri was from Germany and I bought from them.


So, uh, I realize you're running a business, but is it possible you'll do a "last call" post on here before you raise the introductory prices?

 

[Cool Lights]

Yes we can do that before we raise prices. Cyc lighting is lighting large backdrops like green screens or white or whatever. 4 foot tubes are great for that. They're also good for blanketing a large area with lots of light. I think of the 2 foot tubes as being more "surgical" and better for smaller settings, interviews, etc. You won't be hurting for light with any of the 55w fixtures. They do a great job.