Quick Lighting Question

[Shootblue]

I have a Pro light with softbox, 2 totas, and if need be I can use a colortran mini pro for whatever. After working over the decision of a fresnel versus another pro light I decided to go with a fresnel...Now the question is this...I am looking at the LTM Pepper series. I would probably mainly use this light to use on a cookie or a gel background. Would I be better off going with a three hundred or two hundred watt (this particular model can be used with a 100 watt bulb)?

[cameragod]

A quick lighting answer: get a dimmer and go with the 300.

[<LeCamera>]

The only caveat that I'd ad is that, compared to Arri lights, the Peppers seem to be a bit more fragile and not as rugged.

Just something to consider. :)

[2000lux]

Check out the recent Dedo lights (http://b-roll.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=005624) thread in the General Discussions section. It talks about all kinds of pattern lights.

If you can afford an Ari, I'd reccomend it instead. They are more durable. However, the LTM's aren't bad at all.

I'd probably go with the 300-W. You can always dim or scrim it, but you can't make a 200-W any brighter!

[BluesCam]

I will not buy another LTM. Too much maintenance.
Stays hot too long!

If you want to do a pattern, why not think about an Altman Micro Ellipse? Patterns are small and cheap. The instrument is affordable. You can do other slash type patterns too.

The only issue is the mount. I use a c-stand.
You can do other slash type patterns too.
You will need to control spill from your key though, so you don't wash out the micro pattern.

Cheers.

[quicklad]

The Arri 300 fresnel is one of the most versatile lights out there - it is extremely efficient at turning the watts into brightness. With today's faster cameras - I am regularly using the 300 thru a chimera as my key - and saving my 650 for the background with enough poop to get through a colored gel.

Don't forget you can use scrims to bring down the brightness without changing the colortemp like dimmer.

But I'm always for a nice warm backlight...

E

[joecam147]

If you want to know the inner workings of a small, cheap light then get the LTM. Chances are you will need to change the plug, the switch and rewire it before you drop it off that 4 story building. Arri 150, hands down.

[2000lux]

The guys I know who use Altmans just put it on a regular light stand.

Quicklad had a good point about the punch. Shooting local news, I rarely get the time to do any fancy lighting. I usually just set up a Lowel Pro Light with a Chimera and work with what other light is available. When I have tried to do patterns, I used another Pro Light with a blackwrap pattern and some gel. I wasn't always able to get enough punch out of the 250-W bulb to get the effect I wanted. However, if I had time to do nice lighting and shut off the overheads, it probably would.

[SHOOTFIRST]

To throw my two cents in too....

A Bambino could be a choice as well.. Usually comes in 500 W but can put a 300 W in it.. Made a couple of dimmers from Home Depot...Probably not regulation to fire code by any means but usually only use them on the 300W....

Having the 500 Watt option also makes the light usuable as a key or anything else you might need extra juice for....

[Coolfire]

We bought some of the lower ones for dimming our lights a couple of months ago for $12.95 ea. They're rated for 15 amps. They've been working out pretty good even with our 1k Lowel DP's.

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/graphics/speedcnt.jpg

Bought them at a place called Harbor Freight. But here's the site this pic came from:

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/speedcon.html

We drilled vent holes around the edges to help relieve some heat buildup when using on DP's.