Where to buy a smoke machine?

J

JPUSC

Active member
I want to get a smoke machone for lighting diffusion, but I'm not sure where to get it. I'm guessing a Halloween-type store?

Any suggestions?

Thanks!
 
Smoke to diffuse light......Don't think so my friend. I have used both smoke and haze machines. You probably want the haze machine to diffuse light..Smoke just makes too much smoke. If you want a cheaper way out, try a google search for "diffusion in a can" about $10 as I remember and you can buy one to use before a particular job. Creates a finer haze and I think is what you may be looking for.
 
I bought this one for $50 (currently on sale for $30)

http://www.eliminatorlightingdirect.com/EF_400_400_Watt_Mini_Fog_Machine_p/ef-400.htm

I used it on my festival short Dancer and if you would like a working example, there is a link to Dancer in my signature. I used the fog to help recreate the drama of being indoors during an earthquake where the building is collapsing. I could have had denser fog in my shots but I was aiming for an even spread/haze rather than clouds so after creating the fog, I waited almost a minute before shooting. If you need denser fog, their website has larger models that create more smoke.

FYI - make sure you always buy the recommended brand fog juice(fuel) as every fog machine is slightly different and the wrong fuel will jam up the machine. I ordered extra fog juice so that it would be easy to sell my fog machine on craigslist afterwards. Also, before shooting it is a wise idea to check with your actors for asthma or allergies out of courtesy.
 
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Jokerswild is correct. A fog machine just makes smoke for that type of effect. If you want the rays of a light to be highlighted through a haze... You need a Hazer. Now they are more expensive...around $200. I got mine from MTB, which is also sold through Musician's Friend.
 
I think a hazer would suit you better, they are a bit more expensive but they dissipate much better into the air. There are also disposable cans of haze for about $15 at some dj or theater shops.
 
Or if you can't afford a hazer, DIY, it will never look the same, but if you use a fan and try to disipate the smoke as much as you can, it will last less time in the air, but if you are on a budget....

other than that as many have done I would suggest you the haze in a can option.
 
Thanks a lot for the responses! So, if I don't want the smoke to be seen, but I want light rays, I should get a hazer , but if I want the smoke seen (A), then I use a fog machine? I think I saw a combination fog machine/hazer here: http://www.activemusician.com/item--MC.VF1 Is this a good one?

By the way, I was about to buy one today until I read something about these types of machines being hazardous to health. Which types are the safe kind and which ones are the type I should avoid?

Thanks again!

(A)
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That fazer in the link won't really do the trick as it is just a smoke machine with a fan, you would need a real hazer or a haze in the can solution.
 
ilauzirika said:
That fazer in the link won't really do the trick as it is just a smoke machine with a fan, you would need a real hazer or a haze in the can solution.
Click to expand...

If I were to do this outdoors or where doors would be open, would a smoke machine work better since the lightness of the haze would cause it to blow away easily?
 
JPUSC said:
If I were to do this outdoors or where doors would be open, would a smoke machine work better since the lightness of the haze would cause it to blow away easily?
Click to expand...

I have two fog machine a 700w and a 1500w. the 700w one is useless outside, the fog disipates in seconds. The 1500 last a bit (not much) more (always depending on the weather, if it is cold and there isn't any wind it'll last minutes while if it is really hot and windy it will disipate in seconds.

I 've only used a hazer twice and it was inside, so I can't comment on the behaivour of the haze outside.
 
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