Juist Bought Softboxes using CFL Lights - My Impression at DVinfo.net
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Old September 19th, 2007, 04:01 AM   #1
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Juist Bought Softboxes using CFL Lights - My Impression

I spent a lot of time looking for good CFL bulbs intending to make my own softbox using them. I'm pretty handy with making things out of wood, board, foam core etc. Sure, my time costs me something as well (Years ago an accountant told me, "You cost the company $xxx an hour, so don't think you come for free. You're better off spending your time earning money for the company and paying someone else to do somethings").

Well I found some great CFL bulbs (if anyone is interested):
100W light output/26W power consumption
5500K
92 CRI
$17.99 each
http://www.naturallighting.com/web/s...on=show_detail

After I bought 12 of these intending to make my own softbox I found these. Oh by the way, I think these bulbs are just great. They are full spectrum bulbs and I've read a lot of good things about full spectrum lights (health and productivity benefits).

Anyway, this is the kit I bought:
http://www.skaeser.com/servlet/Detail?no=519

I'll be posting a quick and dirty clip I shot using these lights with information related to the clip in that thread. I hope this information helps others like me who are starting out and are probably looking for a good set of lights that are pretty reasonably priced. I'd be interested in opinions from everyone, especially on the video clip.

Each softbox is 32" x 32" and 900W of light output (but using only 252W of power). The lights were pretty simple to set up (3 minutes - which includes time to figure things out) and the quality of materials used is pretty good as well. The power consumption is import if you're shooting at home or offices where larger light could easily trip circuit breakers. I've had this happen to me shooting using a green screen, where I needed a lot of lights just to light of the green screen evenly.

This image below shows the various parts of the kit.
http://download45.mediafire.com/zotg...o2wm9u/176.jpg

This next one shows the view of the back of the light head. Notice the "master" (green) switch and the 3 smaller switches. These smaller switches allow you to control the banks of bulbs, so you can have 2,4 or 6 bulbs on. Anoter cool thing is that the light can be mounted either horizontally or vertically on the stand. Of course in my case it makes no difference (32x32) but they have other lights that use a similar light head...

http://download92.mediafire.com/mnd9...otg2mg/177.jpg

The next one shows a close up of the light mounted on the stand. Both the Light and the stand have these quater turn levers that go from completely loose to fully tight allowing for quick height adjustment and Light tilt adjustment. The other lights I have (Britek) have screw type knobs so I thought I'd mention that.

http://download45.mediafire.com/akde...zz3mei/180.jpg

The next image shows the "inside" view of the light. The silver reflective material inside the softbox as well and the light bulbs mounted on the light head). These bulbs (the ones supplied with the lights) are a bit larger than the regular bulbs including the bulbs I bought, but they fit in the same sized bulb holder (U.S house hold).
The bulbs are:
150W light output/42W power consumption.
2800 lumens
5100K
CRI - don't know.

http://download282.mediafire.com/xjq...tbid3e/178.jpg

This last image shows the softbox assembled and mounted on its stand with other known items as a point of reference for size. The computer monitor you see is a 21" monitor. The light is turned off by the way.

http://download257.mediafire.com/yyc...l3bcel/181.jpg
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Old September 19th, 2007, 06:53 AM   #2
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Old September 20th, 2007, 02:52 AM   #3
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What we'd really like to see are stills from a video shot with the light. ;)
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Old September 20th, 2007, 04:24 AM   #4
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Oh, Will that help determine the quality? I'll post links to a few.
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Old September 20th, 2007, 06:19 AM   #5
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Seun,

Here are 3 frame grabs

http://download178.mediafire.com/uej...n/Softbox1.jpg

http://download178.mediafire.com/dwt...y/Softbox4.jpg

http://download178.mediafire.com/ngw...t/Softbox5.jpg
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Old September 20th, 2007, 06:44 AM   #6
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Thanks for taking the time to post this info.
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Old September 20th, 2007, 08:50 AM   #7
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None of the images are working for me.
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Old September 20th, 2007, 08:55 AM   #8
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Emre,

What is happening exactly? These images are hosted on www.mediafire.com Can you access their website?
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Old September 20th, 2007, 08:59 AM   #9
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The images do not show just adds they want you to click on.

Why not attach the images to this post?

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Old September 20th, 2007, 09:10 AM   #10
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Bill,

I don't see how I can attach images to this (or any other post). I don't see any option to do this.

When you see their website, on the left side of the page there is a yellow box that says "Click here to start download...".
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Old September 20th, 2007, 09:22 AM   #11
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Shiv, I'm getting popups and invitations to play online poker when I try and access the pics - I think that will put a lot of people off - it did me, sorry!

To include pics in a post look at the Additional Options dialog just below the text entry box. Click on Manage Attachments. Job done.

Looking forward to seeing them and thanks for the useful info so far.

Ian . . .
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Old September 20th, 2007, 09:27 AM   #12
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Ian,

I think you "special" types have this option. Us regulars don't. In my Additional Options box I see:

Misc Options with a checkbox
Thread Subscription Notification Type with a drop down.

That's it.

I'll put these picture on another server and post the links here.
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Old September 20th, 2007, 09:32 AM   #13
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Oh sorry Shiv! I spose I should be honoured to be special!! Look forward to seeing the images.

Ian . . .
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Old September 20th, 2007, 09:33 AM   #14
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New Links to Images

http://thehomefront.dynamicarchitect...o/Softbox1.jpg
http://thehomefront.dynamicarchitect...o/Softbox4.jpg
http://thehomefront.dynamicarchitect...o/Softbox5.jpg
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Old September 20th, 2007, 09:35 AM   #15
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Yes you should be. Look at the perks you get! :)
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