Ckulakov Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Dear Filmmakers, What is a china ball and what is it used for? How much would the least expensive one cost and what is a website where I can get one. Thank You in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Hughes Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 A "china ball" is simply a Chinese paper lantern, used as a softlight. You can pick one up at Pier 1 for $20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member David Mullen ASC Posted March 28, 2005 Premium Member Share Posted March 28, 2005 They are round paper lanterns. You can see some here: http://www.asianlanterns.com/?source=overture Usually you use the larger round white ones, with a bright lightbulb inside. I recommended making your own porcelain socket from a hardware store and using 250watt or 500watt photofloods, because a plastic socket will melt after awhile with high-wattage bulbs in them. Usually they are hung from a C-stand arm, or attached to a ceiling. They have to hang straight down properly lest the bulb dangling inside swings over and burns the paper. They produce a soft light, the larger the lantern, the softer the light. They are cheap to buy, like around $10. You can get them at a Pier One Imports, Ikea, Cost Plus, etc., or any Asian import store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Brereton Posted March 31, 2005 Share Posted March 31, 2005 If you have some money to spend, try Lanternlock, who advertise on this site. If you don't, do as David says, and make your own. Light fittings are easily available at places like B&Q (Home Depot if you're American), and the Paper Lanterns are available very cheaply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolfe Klement Posted April 1, 2005 Share Posted April 1, 2005 You can flag them as well to create "slightly" controllable soft light - but make sure you use fire resistant material They are very useful - you can connect them to the camera and mount around the lens thanks Rolfe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wikse Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 Dear Filmmakers, What is a china ball and what is it used for? How much would the least expensive one cost and what is a website where I can get one. Thank You in advance <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I use different sizes of china-balls all the time. Build it yourself - and you have a wide range of uses for it. Put a ceramic halogen mount on a cable that can be put in your camera, og an external battery, attatch the ball and put it on a small pole (less than one meter) and attach it to your belts left side, support it under your left arm - and you have a soft light that will follow you. - do not use a light that is too strong. Less is moore. One extra tip is to put some spunn or frost - gel in the bottom hole of it so dou don't have to deal with the non-deffused light coming out of there. If you wish to travel light, you can allso use the china ball as an interview lighting - flag them out and you're there. It is allso usefull out in the bush (not for bigger shots, but OK for feature/documentary stuff) togeather with other battery gear such as dedo-lights. And remember: the bigger the ball is- the softer light becomes. And it is cheap. IKEA offer different sizes for allmost no money (At least here in Norway) Buy loads of them, as they are not constructed to last forever... Good luck. g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian hendry Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 I use different sizes of china-balls all the time. Build it yourself - and you have a wide range of uses for it. Put a ceramic halogen mount on a cable that can be put in your camera, og an external battery, attatch the ball and put it on a small pole (less than one meter) and attach it to your belts left side, support it under your left arm - and you have a soft light that will follow you. - do not use a light that is too strong. Less is moore. One extra tip is to put some spunn or frost - gel in the bottom hole of it so dou don't have to deal with the non-deffused light coming out of there. If you wish to travel light, you can allso use the china ball as an interview lighting - flag them out and you're there. It is allso usefull out in the bush (not for bigger shots, but OK for feature/documentary stuff) togeather with other battery gear such as dedo-lights. And remember: the bigger the ball is- the softer light becomes. And it is cheap. IKEA offer different sizes for allmost no money (At least here in Norway) Buy loads of them, as they are not constructed to last forever... Good luck. g <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ....there is an artical in the new ASC magazine with Philippe Rousselot, and he talks about china balls a fair bit ( in his new film Constantine) , and how he uses them and what not, and his wright up in the reflections book does the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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