[Ralph Chaney]

Yes, that’s great to be able to magically fold them up. I think I’ll try to come up with something that collapses down to the width of the box, say 32″ for an 88. I’m assuming, hoping, that it will be shorter than the length of the other collapsed parts of the kit. (Will measure ahead of time, of course.)
If I come up with something I’ll surely post it here.

*It may be in March when I can get to it.

Onward,
Ralph

[Ralph Chaney]

Thanks for your take on the Rifa. As for egg crate, I own a large photoflex softbox with louvers instead of egg crate. It cuts light on one axis only. It weighs less, cuts out less subject light, and I don’t care if light spills onto the floor or ceiling. I think I’ll fabricate something like this for whatever Rifas I end up with. At $189 per crate, for just the Rifa55 size, I could come up with something that should work out just fine as an alternative. I hope my “inner-McGyver” is awake.

And thank you much for the bulb-shield solution! Nice.

If you run across anyone selling a Rifa, please let me/us know.

Thanks again,
R.

[Ralph Chaney]

Gents,

I’m very interested in this discussion. I’ve been considering a switch to Rifa, from Photoflex softboxes.

I too am especially interested in how the flourescents work in Rifa’s. Enough light output?

• With egg crate added, are the Rifa’s very front-heavy?
• How quickly can you wrap up the unit, after shooting? I see a cage over the lamp. Does this prevent burning the fabric while the lamp is hot?
• What negatives do you see in the Rifa’s… improvements?
• Any sources of used Rifa’s that you can suggest?
• If I buy used, anything to look for… typical weak spots?

Thanks much. Hoping to join your “club”…

-> Ralph

[Ralph Chaney]

Mark,

Regarding your experience with Videssence…

Do you use the Setlite model? If so, what is the usable coverage on a wall, backdrop or screen?
I’m thinking of using one unit for a fairly portable operation, relying upon it to light a green screen single handed. What do you think? How large a backdrop could I use with one Setlite, lightinng up from the floor, versus the ceiling (should be the same pattern on the backdrop).

Do you use other models? What for? If you use them for the backdrop, which models and how are they arrayed?

Thanks very much. I got excited seeing the Setlite chart and hope it may work out for us. It’s fgreat to have someone with practical and positive experience.

-> Ralph

[Ralph Chaney]

These look interesting, especially the Setlite Series, used on the floor or ceiling. I haven’t tested it but the throw looks good.

https://www.videssence.tv/product_select_studio_fixtures.php

-> Ralph

[Ralph Chaney]

Thanks Bill,

Looks like I’ll experiment with various sizes of backdrops (the other-than-green ones I own) to see what sizes of screens will work best for 1 and 2 people. And thanks for the reminder about the second camera position, something I use often in interviews, even with one person. If I’m greening them, I’ll need that wing screen in addition to the back.

Thanks again,
Ralph

-> Ralph

[Ralph Chaney]

Bill, good news about your experience with foam-backed material. Todd warned to be “extremely” careful with folding to prevent a crease (vs just a wrinkle).

Have you ever creased yours? How do you fold yours?

I would normally store it on a roll yet have to fold it from time to time for transport… probably fold the roll over.

Todd and Bill, if I ever folded it for travel by plane, put uncompressed, yet still folded, into a large suitcase, do you think it would crease?

I suppose with enough space and light power, even a crease could be overcome… yet I’m often faced with less that ideal space.

Q: What size screen would be large enough for interviewing 1-2 people, waist up and not much movement?

Q: Would 4′ shop-style fluorescents, each with TWO bulbs be adequate to light behind two people?

I’m trying to develop a system that can be as portable as possible…

One more Q: I read to avoid hard-light backlights, be they magenta gelled or not. Strong soft was recommended. Have you had experience with hard backlight creating a key problem?

Thanks much!!! I’ll put together whatever system seems best for best results, be it with 8 bulbs or 4, or spandex or foam-backed… even if transport becomes more cumbersome.

This thread is invaluable…

-> Ralph

[Ralph Chaney]

Yes, I’ll check out both spandex and RoseBrand in particular. I guess if I keep it on a roll, 8ft., it will stay mostly wrinkle free… and only fold it if transport doesn’t allow an 8ft. length.

That crease problem with foam-backed can be a deal-breaker. Too bad.

Thanks.

-> Ralph

[Ralph Chaney]

Thanks again, Todd. Yes, the assumption is that something so common as Home Depot conduit couldn’t rise to our rarified uses.

This will mostly be used for green screen and other backdrops. I could design an 8×8 that will accept a 4×8 addition. At 12 feet there may be some sag… can just put a support under the midway vertical member at the 8ft. mark to re-gain teh 8×8 stiffness.

I’m leaning toward 8×8 and 8×12 as I’ve run into green screens becoming too small whenever I’m lucky enough to have a ton of Z axis separation.

Is there a typical set of sizes for green backdrops?

-> Ralph

[Ralph Chaney]

Todd,

Great… had overlooked that elect. conduit is pretty thin-walled and lighter than regular pipe. Makes me want to check our sources for aluminum tubing, round and square. Usually expensive I’ll bet but perhaps a nicely timed buy from a supplier could happen via the Net.

-> Ralph