Suggestions for a softbox required?
 

Hi guys. As mentioned in another thread I'm going to be doing some interviews in a few weeks. Want to chuck a Fresnel into a softbox for key but was wondering what you'd all suggest as a good size. I've been suggested the Chimera Daylight Junior Plus but that's a whopping 90cm x 120cm! Sounds rather massive to me. Would lighting people require something this large? It will be mainly medium->close shots.

Cheers
Aaron

Keep in mind: The larger the source, the softer the shadow. If you want a really soft key, then it would make sense to get a larger chimera. I use a medium Photoflex Silverdome for interviews which is around 24" by 36". Also, the the distance between the subject and the softbox will change the relative size of the source as well. Good luck,

Kris
WCTV 56

I work for a corporate production house, and we have the Chimera Video Pro banks. I think they are about the same- 24" by 36". They work great. Very versatile.

You didn't mention what size the Fresnel light was however. Depending how loose you are shooting, you could get away with a white card for fill and a small backlight.


Jeff Patnaude

I have a Photoflex Silverdome that's the same size (3 X 4 feet). Although a little unwieldy in a tight space, it's a great size and very useful for close-medium shots. As mentioned, the larger the source, the softer the light. You can make the light from a large softbox harder by moving it further from the subject or removing the diffusion baffle. A larger box will also do much better covering a 2-shot.

Barry S.

Jeff, sorry. I was thinking of using something like an Arri 650W fresnel as my standard key for now.

Cheers
Aaro

Aron,
might not look bad to use a little opal diffusion on the 650 for a key light, and a bounce card for fill. The opal will soften the light a little, causing it to wrap around a little.
You can place the 650 at an upwards angle into a 4x4 piece of foamcore for a key light, and a reflector for fill. Experiment.

Good luck to you.

Jeff

Photflex makes a Cinedome which has a longer throat , designed specifically for fresnels.

To quote the site "The Cinedome has a narrower, deeper profile designed to maximize the light projection of your Fresnel lights."

http://www.photoflex.com/photoflex/index.html

click on "products"
on "Softboxes for hot lights"
then on "CineDome"

The CineDome will maximize the lighting with a fresnel yet be entirely usable with any standard fixture as well. The SilverDome won't as the light beam will bypass the reflective walls for the most part.

I don't think there's much difference in the cost.

I have a Cinedome as well as the Silverdome and the difference in light quality is very small. This is with an Arri 650 although I tend to use a Tota-750 in the soft banks. The Cinedome is much bulkier and generally a bigger pain in interiors. The Arri 650 in the Silverdome is plenty soft, even with the internal baffle removed.

Barry S.

I agree with Barry. You can even buy an HIR650 bulb that will give the equivilent light of a 1000 watt lamp. It costs about 50% more but draws a lot less