Jump to content

Lighting With China Balls


Recommended Posts

I'm looking to shoot a more gentle, and soft style of lighting for my next project. Being a minimal budget, I'm going to stock up on China balls. The ultimate goal is to make the film look as though it was shot using natural, existing light.

 

Does anyone have a suggestion as to where to buy cheap China Balls and good 5500K bulbs that will manipulate natural sunlight?

 

I'm favoring films from the 70s like 'Fat City' where everything has an 'unlit' look.

 

Thanks,

 

-J.P.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Jean,

 

China balls can be purchased at pretty much any shop that caters for home decor.

http://www.habitat.co.uk/fcp/product/brows...nt-shade/209716

The only thing that I'll add is that you must make sure you keep the bulb from touching the sides.....

 

Alternatively you could go somewhere dearer (but safer) http://www.filmtools.com/chinlan.html

 

In terms of bulbs, I normally use photofloods (3400k). Somebody in here gave me this link sometime ago...very helpful...http://www.bltdirect.com/product.php?pid=1515

 

Unfortunately I've never really heard of daylight photofloods.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Member

ari - those bulbs are green, though, no?

 

jean paul - you can use eca's and ebw's... they don't quite get you full daylight, they're maybe 4000-4500ºK. this distributor claims 4800ºK, maybe right out of the box it is:

 

http://www.filmtools.com/ebw500wattge.html

 

you should consider gelling your windows... cto if you use the eca/ebw photofloods, minusgreen if you use compact flouros.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Member

The biggest problem with daylight-ish balanced photoflood bulbs is their life, which is usually just a few hours. So if you're going to use 'em, make sure you stock up on a lot of 'em. CTO is often a better solution if possible. Personally, I like 1/2 or 3/4 CTO on my windows so they're still just a little bit blue.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jean,

 

 

I use chinese lanterns very often. Check these out :

 

http://lanternlock.com/

 

They mount very easily to a C stand. Also when using 5500K photoflood bulbs add some 1/4 or 1/8 CTB to the OUTSIDE of the lantern to remove the slight warming effect the paper adds.

You can't see it by eye but it shows up on film and video monitors.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How many times do I have to say it?? China balls are for beer gardens and student films! They're easy to plug in, but they're tough to control.

 

But, if you're determined to use them, you can get BCA bulbs, which are blue ECA's, 250w at about 4800k. They last a good long while. Also, make sure to bring a lot of duvateen, or - if you have the prep time - paint one half of some of the china balls black.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How many times do I have to say it?? China balls are for beer gardens and student films!

 

 

Jon,

 

I disagree with you comment about china balls. If you know your bulbs you can get a wonderful fall off look, which you've seen and will see in many professional productions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The biggest problem with daylight-ish balanced photoflood bulbs is their life, which is usually just a few hours. So if you're going to use 'em, make sure you stock up on a lot of 'em. CTO is often a better solution if possible. Personally, I like 1/2 or 3/4 CTO on my windows so they're still just a little bit blue.

 

This is true of 211, 212 & 213s... about 3 hours of life expectancy... :(

 

....but they do a GREAT JOB! :wub:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jon,

 

I disagree with you comment about china balls. If you know your bulbs you can get a wonderful fall off look, which you've seen and will see in many professional productions.

 

Yes, if you are really disciplined about the way you use them, they're great. AND, they provide quick, easy, cheap light on those low-budget jobs a lot of us shoot at the start (!) of our careers. But, when I'm on a big movie with 11 other grips, and 10 electricians (and a 40' truck filled with lights), and we spend 10 minutes dithering with a china ball to get it to look like a baby through a chimera ... It just drives me crazy.

 

and yes, 3/4CTO is brilliant!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think, like you said, it comes down also to how disciplined you are.

The Gaffer that I work with can put one up in no time at all and the light is great for a walk and talk or a tight situation as a top light.

Horses for courses springs to mind.....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Member

Hey Serge,

 

Wicked camerawork! Just spot on. Supergrass were one of my favourite bands must have been a blast working with what's left of them.

 

Kieran.

 

 

 

 

Not sure if you're referring to the link on my signature. But if you are, thanks!

That is a good example of a large China ball with a 500W photoflood bulb as a top light.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...