light diffuser

F

fanaticalproductions

Member
Hi. Im looking for the best way to diffuse lights for my upcoming short film. Ive looked on ebay for softboxs, and none of them as far as i can see are rated for hot running lamps, only flash photography. I will be using redheads and sachlers.

So is there anything people can suggest either buying or a home DIY solution.

Thanks,
 
2x3 or 4x4 open frames covered with opal or 216 diffusion. Hold them with C-stands or combo stands with lollipop heads. (4 1/2 inch gobo head).
I use Chimera's without a problem, but if your Sachler is a 2k, then I would use either extension ears or the method i mentioned with putting diffusion further away from your lamp faces.
For DIY, you can attempt using frosted, shower curtain liners ( 2-5 bucks each) place them anywhere from 20 inches to 2-4 feet away from the surface, depending on your lighting needs.
 
Thanks for the advice guys. Ive purchased some 216 diffusion material from ebay. Shall make the frames today. This might sound like a stupid question but what are Chimera's? Ive googled it but all I can find is

[SIZE=-1]'fire-breathing female monster with a lion's head and a goat's body and a serpent's tail; daughter of Typhon'

and im assuming thats not what you mean...
[/SIZE]
 
Open frames work fine but you will work hard setting flags to keep all that light from going everywhere. It's light AND shadows that make the pictures good.

Softboxes are easier for light control. There are lots of them for hot lights on eBay all the time.
 
cheers filmat for clearing that one up.

In regards to softboxs howw does something like this look to you?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PHOTO-LIGHT-S...ameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

OR

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PHOTO-LIGHT-S...photoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

My only concern with them is the size of the mounting spread for the lamp. I dont think it would be big enough for a red head. I dont actually have one with me at the moment so i cant say for sure, but im pretty sure they are bigger than that?
 
fanaticalproductions said:
cheers filmat for clearing that one up.

In regards to softboxs howw does something like this look to you?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PHOTO-LIGHT-S...ameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

OR

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PHOTO-LIGHT-S...photoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

My only concern with them is the size of the mounting spread for the lamp. I dont think it would be big enough for a red head. I dont actually have one with me at the moment so i cant say for sure, but im pretty sure they are bigger than that?
Click to expand...

The current price looks almost too good for a quality made unit but most of all I'm pretty skeptical about the speed ring. The softbox has to be supported compleetely by that connection and I doubt that a connection that's not rigid, made to fit perfectly and attach with no possible movement, can do the job.

Can you find a good used Photoflex? (check it agasinst their website to be sure it's for continuous lighting.) And make sure first that you can buy a pricey speed ring for your lights, or look for a Photoflex with a Starlite, their own head.

Sorry, I didn't realize you're in the UK before.
 
I appreciate what your saying about light spill from using frames only, but i cant find a decent softbox on ebay and i definatey cant afford to buy one new after looking at the prices of the ones you recomended, so looks like my home made 216 diffusion frames will have to do. I might get some black wrap for the barn doors to help controll light spill. What do you think? This is going to be filmed in a medium sized room and the size does concern me about spill and unwanted light bouncing about.
 
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