Posts tagged ‘lighting’

LitePad Axiom

LitePad AxiomHow Do You Improve on an Amazing Product Like the LitePad? Give it Twice as Many LEDs, Add a Steel Frame, Universal Mounting System, and a Gel Slot!

Our longtime readers already know we've always been huge fans of Rosco's LitePad product. How can you not love a light source that fits almost anywhere, runs for hours on almost any power source, and weighs next to nothing? By the same token… how could you improve on something that was already so good? The wizards at Rosco Labs have managed to do just that, and now we'd like to introduce you to LitePad Axiom.

LitePad Axiom back mounting bracket

LitePad Axiom is a whole new class of LitePad. Designed specifically for the film and TV market, this more rugged and versatile product is a LitePad HO+ in a metal housing. LitePad Axiom has LEDs on all four sides and a “sunk” internal power connector. The extra LEDs mean your LitePad is now even brighter, while the slim-profile metal housing means your LitePad is now much more durable. The housing also enables you to quickly and easily mount the LitePad using one of the new Axiom brackets or by conventional LitePad mounting methods – even Velcro or rubber bands!

LitePad Axiom on a still photo camera

All LitePad Axiom units are available in either daylight or tungsten color temperature, and are built in various square and rectangular sizes from 3"x6" to 24"x24" (non-reinforced 3" and 12" circular LitePads are still available in the LitePad HO+ line.) The LitePad Axiom housing has a gel slot for color correction or other filters and is deep enough to hold more than one filter. On the back of the unit, there is a universal LitePad Axiom mounting system, allowing different Axiom brackets to be slid into the mounting system for various applications. For example, a 1/4-20 bracket could slide on for use with one of the new accessories or a Baby Pin could be used for attachment to a C-Stand. The new Axiom brackets will work with any size LitePad Axiom.

LitePad Axiom is meant to be a stand-alone unit; the housing was not designed for the LitePad to come out nor be taken apart. However, current LitePad owners can purchase LitePad Axiom conversion kits to upgrade their current LitePads to a tough new steel frame.

Interested? Find out where to buy LitePad Axiom…

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Food Photography at Dawn, Using LitePad

When your assignment calls for a subject to be photographed at dawn or sunset — possibly in a remote location — LitePad is an excellent way to fill your lighting needs without using a ton of gear (or bringing along assistants to carry it all!) LitePad can be powered by AC power, or run for hours on AA batteries or your car's cigarette lighter. It's dimmable, generates no heat, and can be gelled to any color temperature you need.

In this video, Allen explains how to photograph food (or any other small subject your assignment requires) at first light with a minimal amount of gear and fuss; a situation made possible by our friends at Rosco Labs. Interested? Click find a dealer if you'd like to try one!

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7R4VCG8TXE

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Dedolight: Precisely-Engineered Lighting Equipment

Click here to browse our entire Dedolight category… or download the complete Dedolight catalog.

The Dedolight KAC24B lighting kit offers a perfectly-matched system to get you up and running immediately.

A Beautifully Engineered, Compact Lighting System

Dedolight is one of those rare products that has actually transformed the way still photographers and TV/motion picture professionals work, by combining an unprecedented level of lighting precision with portability no other "hot" light system can match. It would be impossible to summarize the 98-page Dedolight brochure here — contact us for a complete catalog — but here are a few key points:

  • Dedolight's unique construction allows for a focusing range of 1:25, with virtually no fall-off, and incredible edge-to-edge sharpness.
  • Oscar-winning optical design produces the effective output of over 300 watts from a standard 100-watt bulb. Superior venting allows Dedolight heads to be mounted at virtually any angle, including upside down.
  • Accessory attachments enable the creation of a rectangular beam of light 1/16" in width, or a circle of light just 3mm in diameter.Accessory attachments enable the creation of a rectangular beam of light 1/16" in width, or a circle of light just 3mm in diameter.
  • Small size and extreme durability mean that Dedolight can be mounted in virtually any way–even using gaffer tape!
  • With a variety of kits and individual units, there is a Dedolight for virtually any shooting scenario.

Some Elements of the Dedolight System

The DT12-4 is a 12-volt control unit that can power up to four 100-watt heads (DLH2P), with each head selectable to a range of outputs and color temperatures, from 3000K to 3400K.

The DT12-4 is a 12-volt control unit that can power up to four 100-watt heads (DLH2P), with each head selectable to a range of outputs and color temperatures, from 3000K to 3400K. The power pack itself can be run from any line voltage in the world. Each individual head can also be run from an alternative 12-volt power source, such as a battery belt or a car's cigarette lighter.

The DT24-3 is a 24-volt control unit that allows the DLH2P head to use a 150-watt bulb, providing 50% greater output than the 12-volt, 100-watt system.Each head is individually selectable over a range of color temperatures and outputs, similar to the DT12-4.

The DLHM is a "self-contained" 100-watt head, meaning that it has its own built in voltage transformer, and can be plugged directly into any 110-volt U.S. outlet. A 220-volt model is also available.

The DLHM is a "self-contained" 100-watt head, meaning that it has its own built in voltage transformer, and can be plugged directly into any 110-volt U.S. outlet. A 220-volt model is also available.

The DLOB head, a.k.a. "LEDZilla" is designed to be mounted directly on a professional broadcast video camera. This head is permanently fitted with a daylight conversion filter that can be flipped in and out of the light path as needed.

The DLOB head, a.k.a. "LEDZilla" is designed to be mounted directly on a professional broadcast video camera. This head is permanently fitted with a daylight conversion filter that can be flipped in and out of the light path as needed. Extremely flexible power options make it possible to use this head anywhere, all day long.

The Dedolight DP-1 and DP-2 projection attachments are specially designed to match Dedolight's own optics. They allow you to project precise shapes and patterns of light onto your subject or set.

Dedolight's unique optical design makes possible its most interesting and creative accessories: the Dedolight DP-1 and DP-2 projection attachments. Specially designed to match Dedolight's own optics, they allow you to project precise shapes and patterns of light onto your subject or set. Geometric shapes of light can be created simply by adjusting framing shutters in the projection attachment. Perfect circles can be produced with an adjustable 18-blade iris. A gobo holder lets you use any of hundreds of Rosco M-size gobo patterns, which include everything from windows to foliage to "breakups" that dapple the light. A pattern's softness is varied simply by focusing the projection attachment's lens. And whether the projection is pinpoint-sharp or soft, Dedolight's optical precision eliminates color fringing.

How it All Comes Together

Dedo Weigert, the inventor of Dedolight, has a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and passion for lighting. In this 13-minute "Lighting Master Class", he explains how the Dedolight system architecture gives you tremendous lighting flexibility–without sacrificing simplicity.

Interested in Dedolight?

We ship Dedolight products all over the United States, so chances are good that you can buy one locally (or order online, if you prefer.) Get in touch to find a dealer or request a catalog!

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Rosco Gobos

Rosco gobo 78446 ("Frozen Rain")

Add Emotion and Visual Interest to a Scene

Any great set designer will tell you that when lighting a scene, the lights you use are only part of the equation. Like any great art, what you leave out is just as important as what you put in. Enter: gobos. Derived from the phrase "GOes Before Optics", gobos fit between your light source and lens to partly obscure or modulate light.

View the Rosco Gobo catalog (PDF) or use Rosco's iPhone app for gobos to see a sample of the styles and colors available. Don't forget to find a dealer once you've picked a few out!

'myGobo' iPhone gobo browser app from Rosco

Types of Gobos

Depending on what they're used for, gobos may be made of stainless steel or glass. Stainless steel gobos selectively block light, often creating a stippled effect or more or less expressionistic shapes. Glass gobos come in a variety of forms: Rosco gobo 86627 ("Emosphere amber")Colorizers create beautiful multi-colored effects. Image Glass gobos are colorless, bending and refracting light to create complexity. Prismatics are usually fitted into moving lights and project kaleidoscopic patterns. Rosco gobo 55004 ("Blue Lavender")ColorWaves create vivid dichroic color patterns such as waves and mosaics. Different gobos can be used on each light and mixed on-stage to liven things up.

Rosco Gobo 77969 ("Dollars")Usually, you'll need a gobo holder for each of your gobos, although some holders can accept multiple gobos in series. And gobos can be used like cogs — placed into a motorized gobo rotator, which can turn the gobo at various speeds for even more interesting displays.

Gobo size chart

Gobo Sizes

It's important to understand that gobos come in a variety of sizes. Depending on the lamp you use, you will want compatible gobos and at least one compatible gobo holder.

Standard Gobo Sizes (Measurements in millimeters)
Letter Size Outer
Diameter		 Artwork
Diameter		 Comments
A Size 100 75
B Size 86 64.5
M Size 66 48
E Size 37.5 28
BG Size 79 64.5 Obsolete glass size. Available by special order.
C Size 150 120 C Size available size by special order.
G Size 65.5 48 For Clay Paky Goldenscans
D Size 53.3 38
Cyberlight 44.25 38
Studio Spot 575 36.3 31 For HES Studio Spot 575
Mac 500/918 27.5 22 Not all standard designs available in this size.
V Size 25.5 22 Not all standard designs available in this size.
Mac 250 22.5 17 Not all standard designs available in this size.
518 Size 20 13 Not all standard designs available in this size.
Sizes listed in millimeters. Not all designs are available in all sizes. Please call to verify availability.

Custom Gobo Designs

One of the coolest things about gobos is that you can make your own custom designs! We can accept artwork from you or your graphic designer and match it to almost any gobo size you need. Prices and turnaround time are very reasonable — simply email us to get the ball rolling.

Need Advice?

If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't worry — we can help. Get in touch and we'll be happy to explain your options, or refer you to a knowledgeable dealer in your area.

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Cinefoil and Photofoil: Eliminate Unwanted Light

Cinefoil

Perfect for Masking Light Leaks in Your Studio or On Location

In confined spaces, unwanted light reflection can become quite annoying. What's needed is something that can attach to any surface and absorb light. Cinefoil is just that thing.

Cinefoil roll sizes

  • 24"x25'
  • 12"x50'
  • 48"x25'

Photofoil roll sizes

  • 12"x10'
  • 24"x10'

Essentially a matte black version of aluminum foil, Cinefoil can be wrapped around, stapled, or taped to any surface or object to prevent light spill. It can also be molded to form barndoors, flags, or whatever configuration you need.

Cinefoil is sold in twenty-five to fifty-foot rolls for theater and set use. For still photographers, videographers, and students, Photofoil offers the same properties in shorter lengths at lower cost.

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