Mike Nelson

http://www.k5600.com/products/jn200/images/location.jpg This photo is from the K5600 website. To me it looks like a joker 400W with the ac power supply connected to an inverter? Again I'd really like a field/ DC option and I think 400w is the biggest I could go without a genny? The fill on the interview subjects face looks exactly like what I'm after. It does look like an overcast day in the background. Thoughts?

Thanks guys all very interesting stuff and a little more complex than I originally expected with the "power factor" etc. I just wish I could trial some different models to compare. Might have to fly to US to do so though! I think the netting idea could be a good option for various shoots and is lightweight and cheap. The thing is, I can almost get enough grunt out of my kino diva 400 on an overcast day to match the exterior background to the interior I/V I'm shooting and I would have thought and looking at the photometric comparisons the 200W Joker seems to have more grunt (am I reading them wrong?). The kino is obviously the key and is usually about1.5 to 2 metres away. The windows in a lot of the buildings we film in do have a tint to them (maybe 1 to 2 stops at a guess). Also in regards to getting some nice fill when shooting exterior PTC's/ I/V's, ideally I'd probably use a reflector, but I live in one of the windiest cities in NZ and your lucky if you can get 1 person to try and hold it still let alone 2. Are there any good, portable, light 1 person setup flecky systems? I'm thinking stands and grip heads etc. A solid poly would probably break and I couldn't fit it in my mid size suv. Other options? Cheers

Would love to demo both but when you live in New Zealand that can be a little tricky. The closest K5600 joker dealer is Australia and there's no demo hmi dedos with the NZ supplier. The beauty of a country of 4 million people. You could probably count on one hand the amount of these lights they'd sell a year! But I agree the swapable ceramic/hmi bulb is a plus..

Hey I wouldn't use the chimera when trying to compete with daylight, just for other more light controlled situations. Never have time to ND windows. Cheers tho

Hi I'm trying to decide on which baby hmi to buy. At the moment I'm leaning towards the Joker Bug 200w. What are your thoughts on this light? I'd rather pay a bit more and buy once. The versatility of the joker seems great with or without the beamer so I can use my chimera or buy a pancake for it. I'm also unsure of which of the 3 joker 200w models to get if I do go that way. They all have different beamers apparently and one has lenses aswell. If any of you have used them any comparisons would be great. I've also got a set of dedos and love the build quality design. Dedo have a 200w hmi as well but it doesn't seem quite as versatile and you have to buy two ballasts, a dc and an ac, where as the joker has one that does it all. But it is a very light weight kit and I want the kit to be as small and light as possible. I mainly shoot in small 2 to 3 man crews. I want to use it for exterior PTC's/ I/V's for a fill. I'm also hoping it will have enough grunt to enable me to shoot inside high rise offices where I live, shooting out the windows to the harbour view/ city view in the background, and match the exterior exposure. Any advice much appreciated. Cheers

Thanks for the info. Almost all of the lights you've suggested could be of use. They all have their pros and cons. It's going to be hard making a decision. Thanks for your time. Mike.

Hi. I want to buy an HMI light that I can use in the field off battery power (on camera would be great). It must be reasonably small and light. I'd like to use it for a key light (overcast days) and a good grunty fill (Sunny days). I don't mind spending more to get the best light for the job. Does anyone have any recommendations? I've never used them before. Thanks. Mike.