KFlect / CRLS Parallel Beam Light ?

Y

yoclay

Veteran
So I am thinking about a KFlect or CRLS type system. For those who don't know it is a reflector based way of lighting that depends on a parallel beam source (less than 4 degrees with a very straight path - similar to the sun in fact).

https://www.kflect.com/home-en

http://www.christianberger.at/crls/

The issue is the light source. Ridiculously expensive.
The larger beams (like KFlect) are really reflector/bowls which cost between 4000-8000€ and additionally need an HMI light source like a Joker (costing another $4-8K).
Or you can buy the CRLS version, which only costs $21,000.
The only other alternative (nothing in between) that I see are the the very small Dedolights like the DLED9's or DLH4 which can focus down to 4 degrees. They then make an attachment to do parallel beam.
Get this, just the cone attachment to hold the grid (basically a small hollow metal tube) costs...$800.
And then you have to buy the grid seperately as well !
They really are taking the piss. It's disgraceful.
Not to mention that a single 90W light head is between $1200-$1600.

So.
What I need is to find a LED fresnel type light that can focus down to 5 degrees or less to produce a parallel beam.
Further, looking for something that can put out MORE than 400W of light (a 90W LED source equals about 400W by traditional standards).

Any suggestions ?
 
Last edited:
Sounds like a very expensive beam projector. You might be able to find a used incandescent theatrical one. I'm pretty sure I have a low wattage (maybe 500w or 1k) one buried in my storage locker


5.07 - BEAM PROJECTOR SPOTLIGHT
1.) DESCRIPTION

The BEAM PROJECTOR (or BEAM LIGHT), is similar to a fresnel fixture, without a lens. A typical Beam Light produces a very narrow intense beam of light with a very soft edge.

Beam lights range in wattage from 500 to 2000 watts and they typically have an open circular front (10-24" in dia.). They uses a parabolic reflector to provide a near parallel beam of light. In this respect, the beam light is not really a spotlight, instead, it is more of a searchlight.

This fixture is considered more of a 'speciality fixture' in North America and Britain, however, they are widely used in Germany and other European countries.

2.) APPLICATIONS

Where a near parallel, intense beam of light is need, the beam projector is the fixture of choice. Designers find this fixture useful to simulate sunlight, moonlight and to provide strong motivated beams of light. The edge of the beam light is generally round, but has a very soft edge.

Beam lights are also sometimes used as follow spots, due to their tight, near parallel beams. They can be excellent for this application and sometimes are mounted directly behind the prosecenium arch in a 'perch' or 'tormentor'position.

3.) TYPES

The most common beam light for the North American Market is 10-12 inches in diameter, and rated to a maximum of 1000 watts.


TYPE BEAM SPREADS WATTAGE DESCRIPTION
=====================================================================
Beam Projector 5-15 variable 500-2000 ROUND Beam, SOFT edge
---------------------------------------------------------------------
INCLUDED: - (a) power cord.
OPTIONS: - available: (a) lamp, (b) pipe clamp, (c) color frame, (d) electrical connector, (e) lens safety mesh.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beam_projector
 
Perhaps look into the Dedo 1.2kw HMI. It gives you incredible focusing range, and packs a tonne of punch and control into a small fixture. All for a fraction of the price of the CRLS system.
 
The website is a bit of a mess but I didn't see anything unique that couldn't be achieved by using traditional lighting equipment, such as fresnels, & lekos.
 
Bern Caughey said:
The website is a bit of a mess but I didn't see anything unique that couldn't be achieved by using traditional lighting equipment, such as fresnels, & lekos.
Click to expand...

The CRLS / KFlect system is based on the variety of surfaces of the reflectors. These reflectors are less effective rebounding from one to another when a non parallel beam is used. With a parallel beam there can be so little light loss that you can create the equivalent of 5 sources. That's not going to happen with a traditional fresnel or Leko, unless the beam is narrowed.
 
dwiener said:
Sounds like a very expensive beam projector. You might be able to find a used incandescent theatrical one. I'm pretty sure I have a low wattage (maybe 500w or 1k) one buried in my storage locker


5.07 - BEAM PROJECTOR SPOTLIGHT
1.) DESCRIPTION

The BEAM PROJECTOR (or BEAM LIGHT), is similar to a fresnel fixture, without a lens. A typical Beam Light produces a very narrow intense beam of light with a very soft edge.

Beam lights range in wattage from 500 to 2000 watts and they typically have an open circular front (10-24" in dia.). They uses a parabolic reflector to provide a near parallel beam of light. In this respect, the beam light is not really a spotlight, instead, it is more of a searchlight.

This fixture is considered more of a 'speciality fixture' in North America and Britain, however, they are widely used in Germany and other European countries.

2.) APPLICATIONS

Where a near parallel, intense beam of light is need, the beam projector is the fixture of choice. Designers find this fixture useful to simulate sunlight, moonlight and to provide strong motivated beams of light. The edge of the beam light is generally round, but has a very soft edge.

Beam lights are also sometimes used as follow spots, due to their tight, near parallel beams. They can be excellent for this application and sometimes are mounted directly behind the prosecenium arch in a 'perch' or 'tormentor'position.

3.) TYPES

The most common beam light for the North American Market is 10-12 inches in diameter, and rated to a maximum of 1000 watts.


TYPE BEAM SPREADS WATTAGE DESCRIPTION
=====================================================================
Beam Projector 5-15 variable 500-2000 ROUND Beam, SOFT edge
---------------------------------------------------------------------
INCLUDED: - (a) power cord.
OPTIONS: - available: (a) lamp, (b) pipe clamp, (c) color frame, (d) electrical connector, (e) lens safety mesh.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beam_projector
Click to expand...

Yes. This is the principal idea. The reality is I am having difficulty locating one in LED form. HMI can be good, but incredibly expensive. As I am shooting a feature in Africa, we need to have a battery or a low wattage solution. Many places are undependable. A reflector based system means we can harness the sun and augment it in a way that has continuity in terms of look.
 
yoclay said:
Yes. This is the principal idea. The reality is I am having difficulty locating one in LED form. HMI can be good, but incredibly expensive. As I am shooting a feature in Africa, we need to have a battery or a low wattage solution. Many places are undependable. A reflector based system means we can harness the sun and augment it in a way that has continuity in terms of look.
Click to expand...

I'd imagine it's pretty much impossible with LED. The multi-diode nature of LED lighting makes creating parallel beams of light impractical. You really need a point source for that. Even the Dedo LEDs don't cut shadows as precisely as their point-source (tungsten/HMI) brethren. It's just the nature of the technology.

For harnessing the sun, I think you'd do better to travel with multiple mirror boards, and a healthy amount of grip gear.
 
Grug said:
I'd imagine it's pretty much impossible with LED. The multi-diode nature of LED lighting makes creating parallel beams of light impractical. You really need a point source for that. Even the Dedo LEDs don't cut shadows as precisely as their point-source (tungsten/HMI) brethren. It's just the nature of the technology.

For harnessing the sun, I think you'd do better to travel with multiple mirror boards, and a healthy amount of grip gear.
Click to expand...

The DLED9 was actually developed with the parallel beam concept in mind. This is why they made the beam adapter for it. So LED's can work.

The DLED9 and DLH4 (HMI) do a decent job and aren't multi in the way you are speaking of, but wouldn't put out enough light to do 5 sources off of it. For that you need a 1200 joker and a parabol OR a more powerful LED fresnel. You can definitely do 2-3 sources off of it though. So a 3 head kit could be convenient. I actually thought of skipping the dedo's and getting only their honeycomb and putting it on cheaper heads (maybe chinese knock off's) since that works best when the head is in flood position. Or getting a larger honeycomb grid which reduces the beam angle to 5 degrees and shooting some kind of Par through it. Would need to create a holder at the right distance with Cinefoil though. Once I found the correct distance relationship I could have a sturdier holder made.

These two systems actually replace the mirror boards because they give a lot more control. It's like the difference between a simple mirror and having 17 different intermediary surfaces to play with. Not to mention being able to punch in eyelights and backlights with the smaller reflectors feeding off of the same source. Christian Berger developed the system and you can see it in use for The White Ribbon for instance.

There is a thread about it over on Reduser:
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...-Buy-K-FLECT-lighting-System&highlight=Kflect

This page shows how different reflectors interact with exactly the same light source:
https://www.kflect.com/products-kflectors-en
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top