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Amount of light required
http://paulcbuff-techforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=34		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  10box [ Mon Dec 14, 2009 3:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Amount of light required
I'm am setting up a studio to photograph autos. In the past I have used 9600 ws of Broncolor through 6 heads in a Chimera 10x30 softbox. I liked this set-up but I'm trying to reduce my cost this time around. I am thinking of 9 of the B1600 units. If my math is right this will give me approx. 3/4 s less light. Anyone else tried this? Is the Ws true? Is the color the same through out the day? Will the units hold up to being left on for 8-10 hours at a time? I know I'm asking a lot but the price difference is large ( $3,500. B1600 vs. $37,000. Broncolor ) Thanks so much for any ideas you may have.
Author:  Technical Support [ Mon Dec 14, 2009 4:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Amount of light required
The AB1600's are 640 true Ws., equalling 5760 true Ws. Assuming the modifier is the same, actual output comparisons will vary depending on the efficientcy of the Broncolor lights, as Ws is a measurement of stored energy, not a measurement of output. Color temperature will be consistent throughout the day, and there will not be a problem with them running throughout the day, assuming the temperature is mitigated (i.e. keeping the model lamps off when not needed). 9 150W bulbs equals 1350 watts of heat building up in a confined space.
Author:  The Prince of Cheap [ Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Amount of light required
Have you considered the Zeus with the Bi-Tube Heads with 2 pack per head totaling 5,000 watts? 2 Zeus Bi Tube Heads and 4 Packs (2 Packs per head) would total out to 10,000 watts.
Author:  10box [ Mon Dec 14, 2009 7:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Amount of light required
A very good idea except 2 heads will not give the coverage I will need. I have 300-600 sq. ft. of area to cover in a very even manner. Please keep up the ideas. Thanks.
Author:  Technical Support [ Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Amount of light required
4-2500 Zeus packs and 8-standard heads will still keep 10,000Ws, and run about $5,700. This is more than the 9 b1600's, but still far less than the Broncolor.
Author:  The Prince of Cheap [ Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Amount of light required
well... lets see... a large lightpanel with 10,000 watts may help? I dont know?
Author:  dmward [ Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Amount of light required
Depending on when you have to make a decision, the eminent Einstein lights may be an attractive alternative.

They will, according to the info on the PCB site be controllable in 1/10 F stop steps. Having them evenly spaced through your big soft box and with that kind of control via a Cyber Commander could make like very easy for you. I'm not sure how many individual units the Cyber Commander will control.

The Zues units are also controllable via the Cyber Commander which should also be a benefit.
Author:  10box [ Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Amount of light required
dmward, Thanks. After 22 years of being 100% Broncolor, the PCB language is foreign to me. I did not know about the Einstein units until your post. Thanks for your post as you seem to understand my requirements. I'm trying to get this studio together by 2/15/2010.
After being in this business for 37 years, a new to the market product scares me and I try to wait for someone else to work out the bugs.
Author:  dphotog [ Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Amount of light required
What lights did you end up buying? The White lightning series would be more versatile than the AB series once you get into the 1600 range due to the switch that turns an X1600 into a 400 and the x3200 turns into an 800.

http://www.white-lightning.com/


-D
Author:  Luap [ Tue Jan 05, 2010 10:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Amount of light required
10box wrote:
I'm am setting up a studio to photograph autos. In the past I have used 9600 ws of Broncolor through 6 heads in a Chimera 10x30 softbox. I liked this set-up but I'm trying to reduce my cost this time around. I am thinking of 9 of the B1600 units. If my math is right this will give me approx. 3/4 s less light. Anyone else tried this? Is the Ws true? Is the color the same through out the day? Will the units hold up to being left on for 8-10 hours at a time? I know I'm asking a lot but the price difference is large ( $3,500. B1600 vs. $37,000. Broncolor ) Thanks so much for any ideas you may have.

Consider 86" Silver PLM instead of softboxes. The silver PLM gives you about 6 times the light as a softbox, so your 640WS AB or Einstein or will will give you the exposure value of about 4000WS in a softbox.

It will definitely be a different look than softboxes - you might love it or hate it.
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