is there a way to do egg crate on the cheap?
- Thread starter tony404
- Start date
Icarus2005
Well-known member
blackwrap is about the only thing I'd try.
but do you really need it? if you have enough room you can frame large enough flags around it to control the light.
but do you really need it? if you have enough room you can frame large enough flags around it to control the light.
For me, the new miracle material is corrugated plastic board. It's cheap, durable, and easy to work with. You could cut a set of strips, notch the strips and fit them together into a grid that can be easily collapsed into a long thin shape for transport. Add a bit of velcro to attach it to your softboxes and you're done. You could add a bit of gaff tape to keep it from sliding apart, but it should stay together pretty well by itself as long as you don't cut the notches too wide.
Icarus2005
Well-known member
Interesting, Barry
Have you actually tried this?
Reason I ask is that I've seen gels burn on a 1k softbox. It gets very hot despite the distance between the light and diffusion panel. And you don't want anything touching that diffusion panel because it will turn brown if not burn. I would also avoid any use of tape, use mini clips instead.
I'm not saying it can't be done, just saying be careful and keep a close eye on it, and don't take it off a hot light without gloves because if plastic starts to melt it'll stick to your skin and burn.
not trying to scare anyone, but safety is always the most important thing so we can all film another day
Have you actually tried this?
Reason I ask is that I've seen gels burn on a 1k softbox. It gets very hot despite the distance between the light and diffusion panel. And you don't want anything touching that diffusion panel because it will turn brown if not burn. I would also avoid any use of tape, use mini clips instead.
I'm not saying it can't be done, just saying be careful and keep a close eye on it, and don't take it off a hot light without gloves because if plastic starts to melt it'll stick to your skin and burn.
not trying to scare anyone, but safety is always the most important thing so we can all film another day
I have sets of corrugated plastic louvers for some of my softlights, so it's basically the same application. Instead of a full X-Y grid, it's a set of strips in one direction. Which actually works pretty well, because it prevents spill in one axis--a bit of floor spill isn't a problem and the ceiling spill can be flagged off if necessary. Not as nice as a Lighttools crate, but ok. They're attached by velcro strips and I haven't had any problems. I usually either have either a 700 watt Tota or a 650 watt Arri fresnel inside the boxes and haven't had any heat issues, so I figured Tony would probably be ok with his 500 watt instruments.
I'm usually pretty careful to make sure my softboxes have open venting at the top rear to let the heat dissipate--I do see people using their boxes buttoned up tight and heat can build up inside those things. So yes, I agree that safety is important with any lighting instrument. Tony should probably check the surface temp before proceeding, but I think it should be reasonable. Hell, the frame of my Kino Diva 400 is corrugated plastic and there's actually quite a bit of heat generated around the sockets. But yeah, you can't be too safe around hotlights.
I'm usually pretty careful to make sure my softboxes have open venting at the top rear to let the heat dissipate--I do see people using their boxes buttoned up tight and heat can build up inside those things. So yes, I agree that safety is important with any lighting instrument. Tony should probably check the surface temp before proceeding, but I think it should be reasonable. Hell, the frame of my Kino Diva 400 is corrugated plastic and there's actually quite a bit of heat generated around the sockets. But yeah, you can't be too safe around hotlights.
235 Studios
Veteran
Barry_S said:
And where might I purchase this miracle material? Home Depot? Micheal's? Craftwearhouse? Lowell's? ....
Any good sized art supply store should have it. Do they have Pearl http://www.pearlpaint.com near you? That's where I usually buy it.
Icarus2005
Well-known member
glad to hear it, Barry.
is the cost comparable to show cards? it sound like a more robust material.
is the cost comparable to show cards? it sound like a more robust material.
It's about the same price as show-card, but definitely more durable. You can wash it off when it gets dirty and it doesn't crease or disintegrate easily. I've only been able to find it in 20"x30" sheets, so it's a bit smaller than show-card, but tht's still a reasonable size for a lot of uses.
Icarus2005 said:
235 Studios
Veteran
Barry_S said:
Unfortunately there no Pearl Pain in my neck of the woods. But it sound like Micheal's or Craft Wearhouse should have it, if not I could always order online from Pearl Paint.
Thanks for the help.