What size and type of softbox should I use.
 

Hi all. After reading about a billion threads, looking at my bank balance and what I want to achieve I'm going to, as part of my light kit, get a Tota with Photoflex (Seem way cheaper than the Chimera) to use as a straight key light for interviews. I'll add some higher watt Arri's or LTM peppers (650w etc) later.

As the subject suggests, what size and type of softbox should I look at for interviews. I was thinking the Silverdone NXT medium (61cmx81cm = 24"x32"), which seems to be a pretty good price.

What do you guys think? Is the Silverdone too short for this sort of thing? Should I go for a large for lighting people?

Oh and one last thing. What speed ring do I need to look at for a Tota and Photoflex, and is there anything else I need to attch it? Does it need a separate arm, or special stand?

Thanks
Aaron

The VLC 4001 speed ring for the Tota it's $70 at B&H

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=123631&is=REG

You can get any size you want but the medium photoflex still fits easily through a doorway a large doesn't. buy the medium with the louver and mask kit it's the same price as the medium without the kit ($180 at B&H)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=152322&is=REG

The Cinnedome for fresnels cost $10 more.

Any more questions email me , you have my address.

Well you know.......
 

I saw your other thread on the Arri light and a deeper bank is better for that kind of light so the beam spread is even.
You can either get a Cinedome from copyflex.. I mean Photoflex

or a Chimera Daylight Junior.
Chimera's speedrings fit better and the bank is really well made in Boulder Co to the film industry standard.
All the rental companies use Chimera because everything else comes back detroyed.

I would almost suggest you get Chimera's item 8000 kit and use your fresnel for hair or fill.

You can also get a nice Chimera panel kit that mounts on a grip head and shoot through that or bounce off it.
The one stop fabric is fantastic.
Dean Semler the DP of many great films including the Alamo has one.
Peace and let me know how you get your stuff out there if you can.

Hi Richard.

I was going the fresnel route but have heard alot about using a Tota in a softbox which might be better suited, for what I need. There has been debate about them sagging and being a bit crappy which has put me off, but a lot of people do use them. I may even end up going with an open faced Arrilite or such.

Also, all the Chimera stuff I've looked at is just too expensive compared to the Photoflex for what I want. Want to give me a discount to match their price for a Silverdome equivalent and then I'll be there. I also doubt there is much quality difference, and being an owner operator I would think with a bit of looking after, my gear will last forever - only time will tell I guess.

The Chimera 8000 kit, is complete for $538 at B&H but I can get a Photoflex Silverdome medium, with tota, stand, speedring etc for about $460. I can also purchase the exact stand I want which is good as I want a boom arm, heavy duty one. I also need to buy 220v lamps as I am in 220/240V 50Hz land here in New Zealand.


Aaron

One of the best film lighting guys I ever worked with used
not only a HUGE softbox for his interviews, but in addtion
put another even larger frame with diffusion in front of that.

Also, if I were you, I'd pony the extra dough for the Chimera.

Jacques, did you mean extra dough for that Chimera 8000 kit, or a Chimera in general?

The thing with that kit is that I'm unsure if that Mogul light is

1) Usable in 220/240v 50Hz land (And the lamp too of course)

2) If it can be used for anything outside a softbox. At least with the Tota I can do that.

Opinions?

Cheers
Aaron

I Must Agree....
 

The Tota is a more versitle light than the Mogul.
The Chimera's are nice and work great on them.
The kit is a good deal with the grids and stand

I like to use Totas to light the Background with gels.
The Mogul is limited to BAnks and Lanturns really.
We are working on it though.
Would you buy a Chimera kit that came with a Tota light instead of the Mogul?
I am just Curious..
Thanks

Hi Richard. I'm not *that* much of a fan of kits as I tend to like buying the exact bits I want.

That said I'd probably go for a Chimera with Tota if the stand was a reasonably good one, just because I need more than one stand and if the one in the kit wasn't just perfect for me, I could always buy another.

Cheers
Aaron

HAVE YOU EVER TALKED TO THESE GUYS?
 

New Zealand
PROFESSIONAL LIGHTING SERVICES
End of Burrett Ave., P.O. Box 12-092
Auckland,
New Zealand
phone: [64] 9-525-2200 fax: [64] 9-525-2233
email:ccrmck@ihug.co.nz

LET ME KNOW IF THEY CAN HELP YOU

THANKS