Suggestions to go from Strobes to Lights at DVinfo.net

Greg Peters · January 29th, 2010, 04:32 PM

I mostly do still image work.
I have large soft boxes and strobes for this.

I have been asked to do a simple product demonstration video.
This will be outdoors.

Can I easily adapt lighting to my existing strobe outfit?
Any suggestions on what I should start looking at?

Are softboxes normally used for this?

Richard Andrewski · January 29th, 2010, 05:03 PM

Whether you can use your existing fixtures/softboxes depends upon a few things. Softboxes for strobes are not rated for much heat at all so that pretty much leaves you to use fluorescent as about the only candidate that could get close to fitting what you may have. That is, since it doesn't put out much heat.

For instance some questions to ask. What kind of socket in the fixture (mogul or edison)? How deep is the softbox--(to consider the types of bulbs that could go in there)?

I wouldn't even think about using tungsten in those unless you can get the manufacturer to say in writing that they are rated for high heat and even then I might be careful about it.

Greg Peters · January 29th, 2010, 06:47 PM

That will be too hot for what I have.

Richard Andrewski · January 30th, 2010, 03:32 AM

Right, fluorescent it is then. That's about all that's likely to work in such a setup.

Tim Polster · January 30th, 2010, 09:57 AM

Hi Greg,

I would ask if this is something you need for future work or a one time shot?

You could rent some daylight balanced flourescents and/or some HMI lights.

With the flourescents, you do not need a soft box as the light is very soft to begin with.

What is the subject matter of the video?

What camera are you using for the video?

Greg Peters · January 30th, 2010, 10:25 AM

One time now, but I will buy something just in case...

This is a simple outdoor product demonstration type video.
Web based and possible DVD handouts.

I am actually looking at just using some shop lights on stands.
I have these at work.

I have a Canon XH A1 camera

Greg Peters · January 30th, 2010, 11:24 AM

I am also going to look at using some of my existing halogen shop lights.
And attach a shoot through umbrella that I have to soften the light.

The umbrella should be plenty far away from the heat.

January 29th, 2010, 04:32 PM	#1
Greg Peters Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 67	Suggestions to go from Strobes to Lights I mostly do still image work. I have large soft boxes and strobes for this. I have been asked to do a simple product demonstration video. This will be outdoors. Can I easily adapt lighting to my existing strobe outfit? Any suggestions on what I should start looking at? Are softboxes normally used for this?

January 29th, 2010, 05:03 PM	#2
Richard Andrewski Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Shenzhen, China Posts: 781	Whether you can use your existing fixtures/softboxes depends upon a few things. Softboxes for strobes are not rated for much heat at all so that pretty much leaves you to use fluorescent as about the only candidate that could get close to fitting what you may have. That is, since it doesn't put out much heat. For instance some questions to ask. What kind of socket in the fixture (mogul or edison)? How deep is the softbox--(to consider the types of bulbs that could go in there)? I wouldn't even think about using tungsten in those unless you can get the manufacturer to say in writing that they are rated for high heat and even then I might be careful about it. __________________ Richard Andrewski - Cool Lights USA - RED #114 http://www.coollights.biz

January 30th, 2010, 03:32 AM	#4
Richard Andrewski Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Shenzhen, China Posts: 781	Right, fluorescent it is then. That's about all that's likely to work in such a setup. __________________ Richard Andrewski - Cool Lights USA - RED #114 http://www.coollights.biz

January 29th, 2010, 06:47 PM	#3
Greg Peters Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 67	That will be too hot for what I have.

January 30th, 2010, 09:57 AM	#5
Tim Polster Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 2,231	Hi Greg, I would ask if this is something you need for future work or a one time shot? You could rent some daylight balanced flourescents and/or some HMI lights. With the flourescents, you do not need a soft box as the light is very soft to begin with. What is the subject matter of the video? What camera are you using for the video?

January 30th, 2010, 10:25 AM	#6
Greg Peters Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 67	One time now, but I will buy something just in case... This is a simple outdoor product demonstration type video. Web based and possible DVD handouts. I am actually looking at just using some shop lights on stands. I have these at work. I have a Canon XH A1 camera

January 30th, 2010, 11:24 AM	#7
Greg Peters Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 67	I am also going to look at using some of my existing halogen shop lights. And attach a shoot through umbrella that I have to soften the light. The umbrella should be plenty far away from the heat.