Will I regret buying a non-dimming fluorescent?

Duff

Duff

Well-known member
I'm going to purchase one of the Cool Lights CL-455P portable models, and as of right now I can't budget for the dimming model. Would I be able to get enough control by changing the distance to the subject and turning off two of the bulbs when desired, or is dimming important enough that I should withhold from purchasing until I can afford the dimming model? This is strictly for narrative use.
 
I use a set of homemade, non dimmable flos. I have never wished they were dimmable. It might come in handy I suppose, but I've never lost sleep over it.
 
I woudln't sweat dimming - especially if its strictly for narrative use.
The ONLY time I've found the dimming functionality to be very helpful was when doing some doc work in which I had to shoot in very tight spaces with very limited time.
Someone tells you have 30 minutes from entering to leaving...every second you get with that subject counts, and being able to dim as opposed to move a light makes all the difference. BUT - that was one job out of many in the past ... god... too many years.

Having said that - I have two NON dimmable 4 bank flos and have never once had an issue with them. By being able to switch off two, plus moving the light just a foot or two forward or back... you won't have any issues. Save your money and get the 4 bank nondimmables.

Just my 2 cents.
 
Thanks for the quick responses. I know with a lot of lighting and audio equipment, it's better to spring for extra features the first time you buy, because you can end spending more money in the long-run if you have to upgrade later. Just making sure this wasn't one of those scenarios. I'll go for the non-dimming model.
 
I am in the same boat. I wouldn't mind having dimming flo's, but since I can turn off half the tubes I don't feel like it is absolutely necessary. Another thing you can do is get black tool if you want to knock down the light coming out of them. Drop one or two layers over the light and boom your done.

Matthew
 
If I had a choice between dimmable and non dimmable and money wasn't an issue, I'd get non dimmable. One less thing to break and screw up. Keeping it simple.
 
why not just get a ND gel? or two, that way you can place the lights where you want them for the control of falloff and depth and adjust the output with a ND if its too much, maybe a 1/4 and 3/4 so you have some options, or at 5 dollars get a few.
 
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