Which Chimera to get?

T

themagichoof

Active member
I've got an Arri 1k Fresnel on my to-buy list and I'm going to add a Chimera to that and use it as my key source. There are about 900 different Chimeras out there so I'm not sure which one to get. Most of them seem to be flash only too, I'll need a continuous light fabric though. I'll mostly be lighting a single subject interview style.

I believe I want something that has both an inner and outer diffuser panel and something that supports an egg crate (egg crate is mandatory). I'm thinking medium-sized instead of small or X-small. Also, I've heard that I should maybe get a deeper soft box since I'm using a Fresnel. Not sure if it's seriously *that* important or not.

Now that I've narrowed it down, can someone point me to a Chimera soft box or a Chimera soft box kit that would go well with the Arri 1k Fresnel?
 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/257338-REG/Chimera_8134_Video_Pro_Plus_1.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/105283-REG/Chimera_8135_Video_Pro_Plus_Softbox.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/105281-REG/Chimera_8125_Video_Pro_Plus_Softbox.html

Ok, I think I might be able to narrow it down to these three. I'm not sure about the depth of the Small compared to the Medium, but I'm thinking a Medium is deeper so that may work better for the Fresnel. However, doesn't a bigger (wider/taller) soft box make for more light being spilled? That might not be such a good thing since I really need to control the light. Then again I'm getting an egg crate for it...

I think the only difference between the 1st and 2nd link is that the 2nd link comes with two additional diffuser panels. I think I might as well get those while I'm ahead, they may come in handy in the future. So that leaves me between links 2 and 3. I don't know if I can get away with getting a Small, or if I should just go with a Medium, especially since this is a Fresnel, and plus I mentioned the small/medium depth and light spill thing above.

Does anyone have any thoughts, or perhaps any other models that I should look at?
 
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I generally recommend a medium sized for those starting out, but it seems a little big for a 1k. Deep boxes are designed for fresnels, but do put more strain on the yoke, & cannot fit into some tight sets, so I'd go with a normal version, & maybe even a shallow.

Egg-crates are great, but don't work in all situations as they can sometimes cast multiple shadows.

I usually do not use inner baffles, but do carry three different density faces. If a softer look is needed I'll sometimes stack multiple faces, but usually use for the thinner options.
 
I was going to avoid the Shallow versions due to using a Fresnel. A medium is too big for a 1k? So should I go with the small that's posted there? I read somewhere else that getting a Medium would be better. Not sure which route to take...
 
Just because Hollywood, having more money than sense, has turned the brand name "Chimera" into a common noun doesn't mean you need to overpay by a factor of 3+ for your softboxes. Buy Photoflex (or even cheaper) instead, you'll never know the difference.
 
Lee Saxon said:
Just because Hollywood, having more money than sense, has turned the brand name "Chimera" into a common noun doesn't mean you need to overpay by a factor of 3+ for your softboxes. Buy Photoflex (or even cheaper) instead, you'll never know the difference.
Click to expand...

I have a dozen Photoflex heat-resistant soft-boxes, & they've held up well. I bought them a decade ago when there wasn't much difference between them, & Chimera's. But Chimera has improved it's designs, & if I need to replace the boxes I'll likely choose Chimera.

One of the most important features of the Chimera is the replaceable faces. They offer three different densities, & I rarely choose the thickest. I use these faces on Photoflex's boxes, but they don't fit as taut as on the Chimera(s), which is not an issue when shooting people, but could be if shooting metal, or other reflective surfaces.

Photoflex's egg-crates are a bargain compared to Lighttools', but are nowhere near as well built.

On a budget I'd still recommend Photoflex, but fully understand why rental houses choose Chimera.
 
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Well I've decided on getting a Chimera, so I'm asking more like should I go with a small, or should I go with a medium? I'm shooting interview footage 90% of the time, and sometimes it may be an upper body shot. Also I'm using a Fresnel so that leads me to think I should get a medium since it's a little deeper. I'm still not opposed to a small though. Just want to keep everything under control if I go with a medium. Something tells me the bigger the softbox, the bigger the spread/spill... but I'll use an egg crate anyway.

And is the 'Video Pro' line of the Chimeras pretty much my best bet, or is there something else that people get since it's better? I don't know what the 'standard' is, but I'm guessing the Video Pro Plus Medium softbox.
 
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themagichoof said:
Well I've decided on getting a Chimera, so I'm asking more like should I go with a small, or should I go with a medium?
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I mostly use daylight-balance sources, & can't remember using a medium chimera on a Arri 1k. I suggest you call Chimera as they're friendly, & knowledgable.
 
Your fresnel is not a great choice for use in a softbox, but sometimes you just have work with what you have.
A medium sized softbox would allow more light to fill the front screen, as a smaller, shallower box would definitely result in not more than a hotspot, in the center of the fabric.
 
If you haven't bought the 1k yet, and your main reason for buying it is to use in a softbox, buy an Arrilite 1k, open face. You will have a far more effiecent softbox. Put the 1k fresnel on your wish list as your next purchase after the open face. I think the square, speed ring is cheaper as well. Than you can also save money on the softbox, and go with the standard Small softbox, that most Arri kits come with... Win win, as I see it.
 
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