Digital Video - October 2007 - (Page 18)

IN REVIEW LIGHT BRIGADE A CRITICAL LOOK AT THREE TUNGSTEN LOCATION KITS. BY KENDAL MILLER AND MATTHEW JEPPSEN A t its core, video production is about controlling light. This control can be broken down into two areas: the light on the subject and how it is recorded by the camera. Controlling light within your camera involves using such tools as white balance, shutter speed and aperture controls to manipulate the way your camera sees the light. But the fact of the matter is that most shots, no matter how small or large, can be dramatically altered and improved by adding, manipulating or subtracting your light on even the most basic level. Anyone who wants to improve their skills as a videographer must learn to do this. A great starting point is to find a good, solid, location lighting kit and begin to hone your skills. To that end, we recently had the opportunity to extensively test three such basic tungsten location kits, respectively made by ARRI, Lowel and Mole-Richardson. We began by unpacking and checking out all of the contents offered and then testing several key factors on each unit. First, we thoroughly examined each light included—its build quality, feature set and functionality. Next, we measured each individual light to determine its effective output. This test was conducted by taking footcandle readings of each light with a Sekonic 608 Cine light meter in both fullflood and full-spot positions. We measured each from a distance of 8 feet, taking three readings and averaging them to eliminate any possible error. (For those wishing to do the mathematical conversions, one footcandle equals 10.764 lux.) The results of these tests were fascinating and sometimes surprising. The data, combined with a rundown on the different features of each kit, should help you determine which kit might best suit your needs— or at least give you some context for your own comparison-shopping research. DV EXCELLENCE AWARD OF ARRILITE FRESNEL COMBO KIT A powerful location lighting kit, the ARRIlite Fresnel Combo includes two 650W and two 1K fixtures, as well as stands, lamps and barn doors for each. You’ll also find gloves, gel frames and C47s with a storage bag, as well as a selection of eight scrims including two full singles and full doubles for each. All of this is contained in a large > ARRILITE FRESNEL COMBO LIGHT KIT FIXTURE 650W Fresnel 1,000W Open-face FULL-FLOOD 106 fc 72 fc FULL SPOT 556 fc 670 fc (All measurements taken in footcandles from a distance of 8 ft.) 18 dv october 2007 www.dv.com http://www.dv.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Digital Video - October 2007

Cover Contents Letters DV Update R&D Fest Circuit Light Brigade Follow Focus Shootout Image Conscious Instant Expert Close-Ups Eastern Europe Exploit Call of the Wild Four Principles of Storage Storage Media Production Diary

Digital Video - October 2007

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