Moles or Arri's

G

GrahamRobbins

Active member
Hey guys I went to my school rental house to pick up my order for a shoot Sunday for a film production class. I had ordered an ARRI kit for lights, but they were out, and gave me a kit of mole lights. I have heard good things but never used them. These lights look a little worn, How are they in comparison to the Arri lights? Sorry I dont know very much about them im newer to lighting. As far as brands go however in how does mole stack up to Arri lighting?

Thanks,

Graham R
 
Moles are great and they last forever (which is why rental houses have a lot of them). They're built like tanks. You really can't go wrong with either brand.
 
Personally, I believe that the moles are better made than the Arri's. The Arri's, while still very good, seem to have more parts that break regularly when compared to the Moles. Mole-Richardson has also been around longer so they are more the standard, I find, in lighting. Arri's also seem to cost more (at least used) than Mole's.

Matthew
 
Arri, is in Germany. Mole Richardson was founded in 1927, and is in Hollywood. You'll be just fine.

Arri makes lights, cameras, matteboxes, tripod heads, software, etc.

Mole makes lights, stands for their lights, and power supplies for their lights. Period.


A quick look at the front of their respective homepage should tell you all you need to know.

Some of the best advice I ever got in lighting was to buy Mole lights and Matthews grip. Based on my experiences with both, I'm glad I listened.
 
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I own both brands. Generally, in the kits, the Mole kits have lower output, not in watts, but in FCs than the comparable Arris. Weird, but I have experienced this and have heard from several others who have said the same.

The Moles are more heavy duty than the Arris but they weigh more as well. The Arris are lighter and I do agree, they break more than the Moles. Professionals with lighting trucks will generally have more Moles than Arris. People who buy kits will buy Arris 9 times out of 10 over Mole kits.

You are fine with either IMHO.

Dan
 
Ok thanks a ton guys sounds like im in good hands then. Its a pretty sweet kit I got haha when I got it home I cracked it open and played around with em, the kit weighed like 200 pounds but I see why now. Very heavy duty they seem like great long lasting lights. I am now thinking mabey Ill get these for my own kit some day.

Thanks again all,

Graham Robbins
 
puredrifting said:
I own both brands. Generally, in the kits, the Mole kits have lower output, not in watts, but in FCs than the comparable Arris. Weird, but I have experienced this and have heard from several others who have said the same. .........Dan
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I wonder if it might be the glass. In looking at used Moles on ebay, I noticed Mole glass has a much rougher diffusion texture on the inside of the lens. That could explain the light loss. Comparatively, my Filmgear and Arris are definitely more transparent and less diffused. Regardless, the Moles are no doubt top quality gear.
 
Could be the glass. I love the look of Moles but all of my Moles are open faced lights, I don't own any Mole fresnels.

Dan
 
not to echo everyone else, but the only thing I like more about ARRIs as opposed to Moles are the barndoors attach more securely on the ARRIs. Either way you're good though.
 
ryanweiss89 said:
not to echo everyone else, but the only thing I like more about ARRIs as opposed to Moles are the barndoors attach more securely on the ARRIs. Either way you're good though.
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I agree actually, when I tested them out last night the doors are a bit flimsy. But yes the glass gives them a bit of light loss not enough to hurt me however. The kit has two 2ks and those lights are great!!!
 
GrahamRobbins said:
I agree actually, when I tested them out last night the doors are a bit flimsy. But yes the glass gives them a bit of light loss not enough to hurt me however. The kit has two 2ks and those lights are great!!!
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I wouldn't say the barn doors are flimsey (at least not with my old moles), but Arri does have a better way of keeping the barn doors on. Of course, maybe they don't bother to put a top on their lights because they need to be used upright to properly vent the heat. However, it is a pain to haul a mole around if you've got the barn doors on since they fall off easily.

Matthew
 
Its not like day or night between Arri or a Mole in the tungsten fresnels. Id go with what comes up cheaper in this case.
 
From a student perspective and cost effective in many various ways, Mole Richardson. Their 1.2 HMI par fixture rests in any (proper) 5/8ths stand and is half the size of the Arri 1.2 HMI par fixture. The 1.2 Arri fixtures also do not house in 5/8th stands. So if you already have some c-stands, are looking for 1.2 fixtures, go with MR.
 
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