paper / chinese lantern

K

Kugar13

Well-known member
I'm looking to construct a portable chinese lantern for filming. I was wondering what size lantern I should use for a 100 watt bulb. Does the size of the lantern matter in regard to throw distance, diffusion, etc?

I'm also buying lanterns to cover practicals/lights mounting to ceilings. I was thinking about getting 8" lanterns for that. Is that too small?


Thanks!
 
Sizes

Sizes

BTW I've found them in the following sizes:

8"
10"
12"
14"
16"
18"
20"
24"
30"

I assume the huge ones are too big to manuver in some locations I'm shooting. I'd be worried it would be difficult to keep them out of the shoot.

I was thinking 12"-18" for my large one.

Any advice?

Thanks!
 
There's not much throw with soft sources, particularly lanterns, since the light is going out in all directions.

Regarding size, it depends what you need. Rule of thumb is that the bigger a source is (in relation to the subject), the softer the light. I regularly keep a couple of 24" and a couple of 12" nylon lanterns in my kit. 12" if I need to get some light in somewhere tight and I want it to be softer than a bare bulb but I don't need an uber-soft light. When I want a china ball as a key, my 24" comes out for tight shots and situations where I can get it in really close. I've used bigger occasionally but for specialized things - for instance, I once used a row of 3 skirted 36" paper ones (each with a 150w bulb) over the table during a boardroom meeting.

Are you planning to light exclusively with china balls? If so, 24" is a nice size, but it might be a little big. 18" would be a good go-to for a lot of applications. Remember, softness is about relative size. If you start backing up any size lantern, it gets harder (and the throw isn't great).

Regarding covering lights in the ceiling, same thing applies. Bigger=softer.

Good luck!

~~Dave
 
reply

reply

My main reason for putting lanterns on the lights on the ceiling lights of the location I am going to shoot is to cut down on how harsh the lights are.

The location (a basement) is very cramped and littered with tons of stuff. It is brilliant in it's own right, but a logistical nightmare. It will be very difficult to get my lighting rig set up effectively for the number of shots, the mess, and time I am allowed to shoot in the location. I'm entertaining the idea of throwing GE Reveal bulbs in the ceiling sockets (they hang on a wire like a Film Noir interrorgation scene light). It may, may not, work out the best, but I like options.

Thanks!
 
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