LIGHTING

An HMI is a powerhouse arc lamp lighting source that is crucial for lighting outdoors (or replicating outdoor light shining into interiors).

PROS

As mentioned above, the sheer brightness of an HMI makes it a necessity for strong light sources. They aren’t the power hogs that tungstens are, and don’t create as much heat on set.

CONS

HMI lights are highly expensive, so you must have a budget that allows for them.

These require more set-up and take-down than other forms of lighting, simply because each HMI requires an attached ballast that regulates the arc lamp.

There is also additional power and safety considerations to make when using an HMI.

SkyPanel is a compact, ultra-bright and high-quality LED soft light that sets a new standard for the industry. With a design focused on form, color, beam field and output, SkyPanel represents the culmination of more than a decade of research and development of LED technology at ARRI.

Incorporating features of ARRI’s successful L-Series LED Fresnels, SkyPanel is one of the most versatile soft lights on the market, as well as one of the brightest. The SkyPanel ‘C’ (Color) versions are fully tuneable; correlated color temperature is adjustable between 2,800 K and 10,000 K, with excellent color rendition over the entire range. Full plus and minus green correction can be achieved with the simple turn of a knob. In addition to CCT adjustments, other control options are available such as: hue and saturation, gel selection, RGBW, source matching, x,y coordinates, and 16 professional lighting effects programmed into every fixture.

The remote phosphor versions of SkyPanel are also available and have a lower price point. Different color temperature panels are available, including 2,700 K; 3,200 K; 4,300 K; 5,600 K; 6,500 K and 10,000 K. A chroma green phosphor panel is available for green screen lighting.

Tungsten lighting kits for film and video production have been a tried-and-true, industry-standard lighting choice for years.

ROS

To start, tungsten bulbs and fixtures are cheap to rent.

Their Color Rendering Index (CRI) is exceptionally balanced. This means their light accurately relates the true color information of an object to a human eye.

CONS

When compared with other light sources, tungsten lights have a comparatively shorter life. So their bulbs need to be replaced frequently (even though they’re cheap).

Additionally, tungsten lights also get very, very hot. So they pose a fire risk, and must be cooled after operating before you can handle them.

And once you can handle them, you must do so very carefully. The oils from your skin pose a risk of exploding the bulb while it’s on.

If you’ve ever spotted a lighting fixture on set with a row of light tubes, then you’ve seen fluorescent film or video lighting kits at work. These lights emit ultraviolet light from mercury vapor and can be balanced for both indoor and outdoor use.

Pros

Fluorescent lights offer a naturally soft light that are common in everyday interiors. And they are also affordable, easily transported, and adaptable to different shooting environments.

Like LEDs, the fluorescent film lighting kits have modest power requirements and don’t get too hot while running.

Cons

While external ballasts aren’t required for Fluorescent lights, they can help fight flickering issues the lights may have. Like HMI’s, that means extra assembly and tear-down.

Dimming is also not as easy with fluorescent bulbs as other kinds. You can always take bulbs out to reduce lighting intensity, but you don’t have the same amount of control.

Astera is a German hardware, software and manufacturing specialist. Since the mid-2000s, Astera has been producing battery-powered, remote controlled LED lights.

In 2007 Astera moved its factory from Germany to Shenzhen, the worldwide hub of LED technology. By now, this factory has been extended to more than 5000 sqm and is run by an international team of specialists.

True to its roots, Astera only manufactures battery-powered lights and accessories and over the years the company kept adding features and new technologies to its lights. It’s range of battery spotlights has been used to illuminate numerous world-famous events.

In 2018, Astera noticed an increasing demand from the media industry for portable lights that can be used to shoot movies, commercials, music videos etc and decided to build a product dedicated for this market. Astera got in touch with gaffers and cinematographers and with their help developed the award-winning Titan Tube.

For the coming years, several unique products are under development. Astera loves to listen to customers and with their help develop well thought-through products that help customers to express their creativity and that professionals enjoy using.