Roger Moore
September 16th, 2004, 08:59 PM
Ring Lights.
I keep seeing them used in music videos - they're so cool! So I was a lilttle surprised that a search of these boards resulted in next to nothing.
I wanted some advice about where to get one suitable for an XL2.
Thanks in advance for your time, insights, wit and stimulating complaints.
Ken Tanaka
September 16th, 2004, 09:11 PM
The light I think you've seen is the Kino Flo Kamio (http://www.kinoflo.com/). It fits onto the front of a lens (via adapters) and is powered through a dimmable ballast by a 12v battery (separate). It's not cheap, although you may be able to rent one if you live in a larger city.
I've purchased Kino Flo lighting from Barn Door Lighting (http://www.filmandvideolighting.com/index.html) and I think they carry the Kamio. Give them a call, they're good folks.
It can be very effective when used with good judgment and restraint. But, of course, over-used (as seems to be the case currently) it just becomes trite.
[EDIT]
I just noticed that B&H now carries the Kamio (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=SearchBar&A=search&Q=*&shs=kamio&image.x=7&image.y=7), too.
Roger Moore
September 16th, 2004, 10:16 PM
Thanks, Ken, for the links...and the warning about the price.
For what it's selling for I was expecting something brighter than 37-50w which is only slightly better than the circline bulbs I can find at the hardware store.
Of course, there's a good reason why they don't make them brighter because brighter means hotter - not good when this thing is on the lens.
I can't afford it, no way Jose, so I googles this:
55w circline + ballast for $8
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/urw/2c55w.html
NOT included:
reflector
barn doors
camera mounting adaptor
filter trays
and various doo-dads
Ken Tanaka
September 16th, 2004, 10:26 PM
Two follow-up remarks here. First, Kino Flo's lamps are not Home Depot lamps. They are fairly high-output and carefully color balanced for film and video work. The ballasts are also not run-of-the-mill units. I have their 12v Singles units which use the same ballasts. They are dimmable and maintain flicker-free light throughout their range.
Second, the Kamio is designed for close-up work. It's not designed to light a room or even a full scene. It's really a special effect instrument.
Jacques Mersereau
September 17th, 2004, 10:28 AM
I was under the impression that the Kamio was a specialty "eye light"
and used in conjunction with all the other usual lighting instruments,
but rarely if ever by itself.
Charles Papert
September 17th, 2004, 10:41 AM
Traditional ring lights were an array of fixtures like MR16 or small floods built onto plywood that had a lot more punch but were hot and power-hungry. More modern designs are modular and lightweight, and can be mounted right on the support rods, such as the Kamio (at the expense of output). .LED-based systems (http://ringlite.com/) are becoming popular as they are larger but still lightweight, and have a good output and dimming capability. However, they are still relatively dim and rarely used by themselves, as Jacques indicates.