Is better a fresnel than a open face?
- Thread starter avr
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Walter_Graff
Carbonite Member
Re: Is better a fresnel than a open face?
A fresnel light has a lens (fresnel) that allows you to focus the light form spot to wide. An open face has no focusing ability. An open face spreads light evenly where as a fresnel is a narrower beam of light due to the nature of it being a light in a box with a hole on one end whereas an open face has a reflector and a lamp an not much more. "Dreamy" is a subjective concept. Both fixtures can be used to make a dreamy effect. I can create the same effect with both fixtures.
Hope that helps.
A fresnel light has a lens (fresnel) that allows you to focus the light form spot to wide. An open face has no focusing ability. An open face spreads light evenly where as a fresnel is a narrower beam of light due to the nature of it being a light in a box with a hole on one end whereas an open face has a reflector and a lamp an not much more. "Dreamy" is a subjective concept. Both fixtures can be used to make a dreamy effect. I can create the same effect with both fixtures.
Hope that helps.
10s
Veteran
Re: Is better a fresnel than a open face?
I think a fresnel has a more even light than an open face. An open face will usually give you a few dark spots. Shine them both on a flat wall and observe the character of the light falling on it. The Fresnel is often even throughout. Of, course I really like fesnels..so I'm biased.
Open lights cost less, and I find them to be appropiate when using spun, silks, box lighting, etc... Actually anything... even the very open tota death ray light.
Fresnels are a portraiture type light in my mind.
Try a little Pepper 200- 300 ...they're great for tight areas and mobility.
I think a fresnel has a more even light than an open face. An open face will usually give you a few dark spots. Shine them both on a flat wall and observe the character of the light falling on it. The Fresnel is often even throughout. Of, course I really like fesnels..so I'm biased.
Open lights cost less, and I find them to be appropiate when using spun, silks, box lighting, etc... Actually anything... even the very open tota death ray light.
Fresnels are a portraiture type light in my mind.
Try a little Pepper 200- 300 ...they're great for tight areas and mobility.
Walter_Graff
Carbonite Member
Re: Is better a fresnel than a open face?
[quote author=ettubaby link=board=lighting;num=1104879373;start=0#3 date=01/04/05 at 17:43:46]open = cheap
fresnel = expensive[/quote]
But as we know cost has little to do with the quality one can make form light. A hammer a hammer until it's in a carpenters hands.
[quote author=ettubaby link=board=lighting;num=1104879373;start=0#3 date=01/04/05 at 17:43:46]open = cheap
fresnel = expensive[/quote]
But as we know cost has little to do with the quality one can make form light. A hammer a hammer until it's in a carpenters hands.
Jim Brennan
VHS Member Old Skool
Re: Is better a fresnel than a open face?
Like my Dad says about his golf game:
"It aint the arrow, It's the Indian"
Like my Dad says about his golf game:
"It aint the arrow, It's the Indian"
Walter_Graff
Carbonite Member
Re: Is better a fresnel than a open face?
There are probably a dozen other great descriptors too!
There are probably a dozen other great descriptors too!
avr
Well-known member
Re: Is better a fresnel than a open face?
OK, thannks to all. If we take a Lowel reference for example...
Omni (or DP light) light vs. fresnel 650 w.
Omni is chep and lightweight, its focus range is 8:1. Fresnel 650 is more hevy, mere expensive, and 8:1 focus range. what do you think, better open face or fresnel ?
OK, thannks to all. If we take a Lowel reference for example...
Omni (or DP light) light vs. fresnel 650 w.
Omni is chep and lightweight, its focus range is 8:1. Fresnel 650 is more hevy, mere expensive, and 8:1 focus range. what do you think, better open face or fresnel ?
Barry_Green
Moderator
Re: Is better a fresnel than a open face?
The fresnel changes the beam pattern of the light. It de-focuses/spreads out the beam, giving a softer shadow quality, a little bit like a softlight. An open-face light is just an exposed bulb. Open-face and fresnels can both be made as focusable (the Britek 250's and the Lowel Pro are all open-face focusable) but they won't look quite exactly like a fresnel would. All other things being equal, an open-face will have a little bit more punch than a fresnel, a fresnel will have a little more "open" look to it. Open-face lights are frequently used in softboxes, where the advantages of the fresnel lens would be wasted.
The simple answer is, you want both. You want variety in your kit. If you only could go with one, I believe most DP's would rather have a fresnel than an open-face.
The fresnel changes the beam pattern of the light. It de-focuses/spreads out the beam, giving a softer shadow quality, a little bit like a softlight. An open-face light is just an exposed bulb. Open-face and fresnels can both be made as focusable (the Britek 250's and the Lowel Pro are all open-face focusable) but they won't look quite exactly like a fresnel would. All other things being equal, an open-face will have a little bit more punch than a fresnel, a fresnel will have a little more "open" look to it. Open-face lights are frequently used in softboxes, where the advantages of the fresnel lens would be wasted.
The simple answer is, you want both. You want variety in your kit. If you only could go with one, I believe most DP's would rather have a fresnel than an open-face.
Barry_Green
Moderator
Re: Is better a fresnel than a open face?
We're working on it now.
We're working on it now.