LED replacement for tungsten

G

ggrantly

Veteran
Visionsmith has led daylight replacement bulbs for both Arri and Mole fixtures. Eric Naso reported on these a while back, but I haven't heard much since on how they work in the field. Like many of you, I own some Arris, and would love to switch a few of them to daylight from tungsten. I have purchased a few led panels, but I really feel the need to have a couple of fresnels to compliment them. I purchased a smaller Dracast fresnel when they were on sale a while back. The fixture was OK for the money, but not really up to Arri build quality. Their larger fixtures which are equivalent to say a 1000w tungsten are pricey indeed. This type of technology, relamping existing fixtures, seem like a no brainer to me. While the Visionsmith products are pretty expensive, it is still quite a bit less that an equivalent led fixture.

From those that have used them; how do you like the Visionsmith product? Are there other companies with competing products? Seems like this is a developing technology, so where is this going?

TIA,
Grant
 
You know that with the Visionsmith Relamps for the Arri Fresnels, you have to remove the reflector from the Arri and the resulting output is considerably less than the same instrument with the tungsten bulb?
 
Traditional tungsten bulbs (is that luminare) like those used in say a 650, emit 360 degrees so the reflector has a purpose. LEDs emit in one direction (at some angle), so the reflector would be useless in any event. Have you used any of the Visionsmith or other similar product?
 
ggrantly said:
Traditional tungsten bulbs (is that luminare) like those used in say a 650, emit 360 degrees so the reflector has a purpose. LEDs emit in one direction (at some angle), so the reflector would be useless in any event. Have you used any of the Visionsmith or other similar product?
Click to expand...

Oh I know, but the bottom line for the user is, your 650 or 1K has a specific output that you are used to. If you've lit with your Arri fresnels for years, or even decades as some of us have, when you switch to the Relamp, you are going to see a noticeable fall off that wasn't there before and if you actually meter with a light meter, you are going to notice the loss to obtain a certain stop in any given situation. At $300.00 or $350.00, I wouldn't care about this as much but at $600.00 per instrument for my 650s and even more for my 1Ks, and I have three 650s, two 1ks and a 300, I would be talking thousands of dollars. Not worth it to me. I have not shot with them, but have played with them at a few shows and I have a DP friend who has shot with them. Nothing bad about them but to me, I have to look at the overall value equation. I would rather put the money into newer, more powerful technology like the Aputure 300d personally. YMMV. More output, those inexpensive Bowens mount Aputure Light Domes, wireless remote, etc. these newer lights offer a lot that an Arri with a Relamp doesnt, other than build quality, the Arri will obviously be better built but I baby my equipment so not a huge factor anymore.

As far as similar products, are there any? I have heard a few people relamping with consumer LEDs but have not seen any other Hhigh CRI/TLCI pro solution for tungsten retrofit lamps.
 
The way I see it, you're not paying to gain an LED light, rather you're paying to get rid of your tungsten lights. This doesn't make much sense to me. The benefits of tungsten Fresnels in particular are the quality of light they put out - both colour and their ability to be controlled. These pros outweigh the benefits of an LED conversion, which is going backwards in those departments. Lower power draw is the only real plus in my opinion. Depending on your stance on form, you may even feel like you're getting punished for putting up with a "bulky" Fresnel style fixture if your preference is a panel.

If the option is lose two of your classic Arri lights for two average LEDs, or keep your classic Arri lights and buy what looks to be a pretty solid option in the upcoming aputure 300d, seems like a pretty obvious decision...
 
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If I still owned compatible fresnels I'd likely buy daylight balanced ReLamps.

The ReLamps may be a bit pricey, but the resulting unit will be robust, & have a form figure that any crew would be comfortable working with.

There's a lot to be said for using "Industry Standard" equipment. Give a Electrician a Apurture, Aladdin, etc, & eventually they should be able to figure out how to use it, though they might not pack it back into it's travel case properly afterwards, whereas if you provide them with ReLamp(ed) fresnels, & Squezzers, they'd be able to set them up, & break them down, by muscle memory alone. The less time we need to be involved in the nitty-gritty the more we have for other responsibilities.

When working with others familiar is good.
 
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I agree with both Rob and Bern. I really like using tungsten lighting and will continue to use them as appropriate. But there are enough times that using them is a total PITA that a daylight kit would be nice indeed. Especially so for facial fill outdoors, or not having to wrangle indoor interviews where windows are present. In my case, I'm pretty much a OMB and do small corporate, so convenience is my goal. I purchased some Dracast panels and one of their small fresnels. So far so good, but I want that one fixture with a more reach. Panels have a place, but I find them not very creative, even boring, so having a couple of fresnels to compliment them is my goal. And eventually, two complete kits, one daylight and one tungsten.

After looking at the Eric Naso NAB interview, I have to admit the 300d is appealing at about a grand. I wonder if the fresnel attachment comes with it at that price and how well it works. Being able to remove the fresnel portion has appeal with the Bowens mount. I suspect that given some competition, the Visionsmith product will drop in price and or improve just as any product usually drops as the market matures or changes.

When thinking about this, I also consider that I have a few extra Arris just sitting that could be permanently converted. This is a guess, that the Arri will be a better build than the 300d.

If you haven't seen it, check out the video:

http://www.newsshooter.com/2017/04/26/aputure-cob-300d-led-light-nab-2017/
 
I have two Arri softbank fresnel kits in my school's inventory that may just end up sitting around if i buy all new LED's. And students beat the hell out of lights. So converting these to LED's just seems like 3 birds with one stone for me:

1. Cool to the touch. No cool down period needed.
2. Familiarity, industry standard for me to train them in.
3. Low power draw.

I'm shopping around for a good LED pannel kit for the students, but just can't seem to find the best ones to get for my inventory. I may just go this rout.
 
Check with Visionsmith on compatibility. Their product don't fit many of the older generation Arris. My 10 year old Arris are NOT compatible. However, if you bought a brand new 650 or 1000 and converted it, it isn't much more than many of the middling offerings presently on the market.
 
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