Lets Get to the Bottom of Work Lights

B

BigWilly1231

Active member
Who here uses work lights and who here actually bought thier lights from somewhere that was a bit more legit....

If so what work lights are everyone using and how do they look..

So please step forward and lets discuss work lights there potintial and of course there non potintial....

Also lets talk models, and what are where everyone is buying their lights

Because in all honesty I know people here are buying lights from Target, Wal Mart, Home Depot....So please lets us discuss this lighting issue
 
Re: Lets Get to the Bottom of Work Lights

horse-meat-06.jpg


Look...a dead horse...let's beat it...
 
Re: Lets Get to the Bottom of Work Lights

Searched found nothing of intrest, bored at work and decided to start this thread, so please
 
Re: Lets Get to the Bottom of Work Lights

I use three 500 watt halogen worklights on 6 ft stands that I got for 15 bucks a piece at Checker Auto parts. The only modifications that I've made were to remove the screw that keeps them from pointing down, and replacing the screws that tighten the head with eye bolts. In addition I built some diffuser/reflectors with some PVC pipe, threaded rod and flag bunting. I would say my total outlay was less than 75 bucks and I've gotten very good results out of them. I've heard that they aren't as precise with color temp as pro lights, but I white balance after every set up and have had no problems. If I'd had hundreds of dollars lying around when I started I would have bought a kit. But I didn't. In the process of using and modifying these I've learned a lot about what makes a good light work. I don't know if I would have learned that lesson otherwise.

Of course they don't work for everything, and I'm looking into building some home-made fluoro rigs, but that's what I currently rely on.
 
Re: Lets Get to the Bottom of Work Lights

Hey Phil, I like your quote. I don't find too many Boondock Saints fans. ;D
 
Re: Lets Get to the Bottom of Work Lights

BigWilly: Thank you for not telling me to F off. :) Just jokin' But seriously about the lighting: I use some old Arri's that I borrow from a studio here, they're amazing. But if I ever broke them, I'd have to replace them so I picked up some work lights a while back. I can't remember who makes them but they're yellow 2 500 watt (1000combined) halogens...They heat up hotter than hell.
1. There's a protective face that casts a shadow, so if we have to shoot with them, we remove the cover.
2. They need barn doors. If you're good with tools, you can make some with a welding torch, a hinge and sheet metal...or any other way to control the light.
3. They're really hot, so be careful with you're scrims and gels. I burned a CTB up...still mad.

I'd definitely check out the Briteks thread. Jarred got DVXuser memebers a discount. Those lights were created with "us" in mind.

Thanks Jim!...If you liked that movie, can't wait until people check out my next short, once it hits the film festivals, I'll post it on the forums... ;D
 
Re: Lets Get to the Bottom of Work Lights

Thanks Phil, I'm looking forward to it.

As far as the work lights, yea, very hot. (main reason I'm looking into fluoros) I keep meaning to attach a handle to the head. I always have to move it by grabbing the switchbox. As far as the barn doors, you can also use some of that stuff they use to suspend pipes with. You wrap it around the head and attach the doors (cut out of flashing and painted black) with L-brackets. Dan Rahmel's Nuts and Bolts Filmmaking book outlines that. I'm working on a better way since barn doors are quite helpful.

I actually use the protective grill to mount my diffuser/reflectors. The shadow doesn't cast more than a few inches beyond the diffuser and it's a super quick way to pop them on and off. I'll have to post pictures of how I made them. Simple, cheap and effective. Although you do need to remove the grill if you aren't using the diffuser.
 
Re: Lets Get to the Bottom of Work Lights

[quote author=Jim Brennan link=board=lighting;num=1097873920;start=0#7 date=10/15/04 at 18:17:32]As far as the barn doors, you can also use some of that stuff they use to suspend pipes with.  You wrap it around the head and attach the doors (cut out of flashing and painted black) with L-brackets.  Dan Rahmel's Nuts and Bolts Filmmaking book outlines that.  I'm working on a better way since barn doors are quite helpful.[/quote]

Here's Barndoors in 11 minutes: http://www.changedcrocodile.com/Films/Worklight.wmv

Well, okay, it actually takes couple of hours. But the video is 11 minutes. ;)

Dan
 
Re: Lets Get to the Bottom of Work Lights

Wow, that was great. I liked how he injected a little humor. I had asked my brother's advice on this (he was a machinist in the Navy) and he recommended a piano hinge. I told him it would be too loose, and his advice was "Bang the **** out of it, it'll work fine". Thanks for that. IT will be my next project.
 
Re: Lets Get to the Bottom of Work Lights

[quote author=Jim Brennan link=board=lighting;num=1097873920;start=0#9 date=10/17/04 at 10:04:13] I told him it would be too loose, and his advice was "Bang the **** out of it, it'll work fine".  Thanks for that.  IT will be my next project.[/quote]

If you noticed how annoyingly dark the painting-the-flaps scene was, it was because on the first set doors I didn't bang the **** out of the piano hinge and the top one drifted down. I didn't realize it until edit time and was too lazy to adjust the scene in post. ;)

Dan
 
Re: Lets Get to the Bottom of Work Lights

I know people want to make worklights work for video, but it's just so passe' since the introduction of the Briteks.

Check out this light:
http://www.rostronics.com/products.asp?cat=27

For $56 you're getting a professionally-designed light, with real barn doors, real focus control, and a real stand mount.  Beats homemade worklights every way from Sunday.  And if the DVXUSER discount is still active, you'll be able to buy that light for $53.  No worklight can touch it.

The worklight solution has been presented over the years, but it always reminds me of the famous quote "Never try to teach a pig to sing.  It wastes your time and annoys the pig."  Back when the cheapest pro light was $500, I could understand why people tried to make worklights work, but with these new Britek "prosumer" lights, the worklight idea just doesn't make a lot of sense anymore, does it?
 
Re: Lets Get to the Bottom of Work Lights

True enough (except my work lights are 500 watts, not 200, and the model you mentioned doesn't come with a stand)  and that's one of the reasons I love this site, because I didn't even know those existed.
 
Re: Lets Get to the Bottom of Work Lights

The discount still works. Just type in DVXuser into the coupon code field. Just got myself 2 600s on friday.
 
Re: Lets Get to the Bottom of Work Lights

[quote author=Barry_Green link=board=lighting;num=1097873920;start=0#11 date=10/17/04 at 12:32:22]I know people want to make worklights work for video, but it's just so passe' since the introduction of the Briteks.
[/quote]

Of course, needing 220v lamps & plugs, not being able to order online from most places because I have an APO address (which doesn't match my credit card or PayPal address, of course), worklights for $30 with stands are a LOT more convenient.

Dan
 
Re: Lets Get to the Bottom of Work Lights

And once again, my US-centric-ness results in me getting slapped down! ;D

Sorry, I tend to forget that there's a whole other world out there!
 
Re: Lets Get to the Bottom of Work Lights

Well for me it's about having more time, tools and imagination than money. I spent more than I had on the camera, and am saving for a good tripod. (I'm smart enough to not try and build one of those) So putting energy into what I have is a better route than putting money into something new. But I certainly see your point Barry.
 
Re: Lets Get to the Bottom of Work Lights

I work with a mix of Britek and Lowel but started out with work lights from Costco
for about 45 bucks you got twin 500 watt lights on a telescoping tripod that could be easily modified to take gels or diffussion. for the money tight I have always thought they are a great value. Yes you have to white balance with a card.
Should these be your last set of light? no
But if your seriously tight on funds and need to put out 1000 watts of light or so they can be I think a good alternative
 
Re: Lets Get to the Bottom of Work Lights

i bought 2 500watt halogens at home depot around a year ago but i havent really used them.
I read through jackman's "lightining for digital video and television" but im still confused. I have no idea what to buy...Im really interested in the rostronics deals, but i dont know what to get, the book emphasizes a lot of 3 point lighting setups for interviews, but what about dramatic films....agh, so confused
 
Re: Lets Get to the Bottom of Work Lights

Thanks for the dead horse Phil!
Was on the floor.
On my feet and breathing on my own now.
I haven't laughed like that for years.
A dead horse indeed!
 
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