• Lighting Design

  Chimera kit advice

  Posted by Vince Becquiot on July 19, 2007 at 5:09 am

  I am looking for some advice on this kit:

  https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/354761-REG/Chimera_8005_Video_Pro_Plus_1.html

  Given its fairely low price, I’m wondering how this would compare to say a 1K open face arri/mole with that same chimera box.

  That would be used for interview settings, and it just seems it would lighten the load as well.

  Thanks as usual,

  Vince

  Rick Amundson replied 18 years, 10 months ago 4 Members · 4 Replies
• 4 Replies

• 

  Todd Terry

  July 19, 2007 at 3:02 pm

  That’s a very decent kit, and the price is pretty good.

  I generally prefer to put my softboxes on open-faced instruments though, rather than the bare-bulb type setups like this which are made specificially for softboxes.

  I find that the light result is about the same, and if for some reason I dont NEED to use the softbox (if I want a harder light), I can always yank off the box and throw on some barn doors and I have a conventional hardlight… rather than being “stuck” with having to use the softbox because of having to use the instrument inside.

  But yes, if you KNOW you want it soft, and size/weight/traveling is a consideration, it sure might be the way to go.

  T2

  __________________________________
  Todd Terry
  Creative Director
  Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
  fantasticplastic.com
  
• 

  Vince Becquiot

  July 19, 2007 at 3:21 pm

  Yes, I was thinking that it would be great for travel, but I think the other draw back is that you probably can’t gel or scrim this thing either.

  Thanks Todd,

  Vince
• 

  Bob Cole

  July 19, 2007 at 11:15 pm

  Haven’t tested this, but I would think a bare bulb without reflector would waste a lot of its output when using it as an interview key. I like putting my old Lowel Tota-lights or D-lights in Chimeras.

  I thought the best app. for Chimera’s bare bulb fixture was in a lantern.

  But the price is right!

  — Bob C
• 

  Rick Amundson

  July 21, 2007 at 3:11 pm

  I agree that using a bare bulb system seems a waste of a lighting fixture. You may have need to use that light for something else while shooting b-roll, etc. Also, how well does the bare bulb fixture travel? I assume it has a case of some sort.

  Rick Amundson
  Producer/Director/DP
  Screenscape Studios
  Bravo Romeo Entertainment
  http://www.screenscapestudios.com
  http://www.bravoromeo.com
  http://www.indeliblemovie.com

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