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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Group Buy: K-FLECT lighting System

And here is the little 5 second MOCO test I shot for this exercise...

 
Antoine Baumann said:
We just phoned with K-Flekt and the guy told us that concave and convex can be oriented by turning them on their axis. The difference between concave and convex is that concave is harder.
Click to expand...

OK. I did a quick test and was not seeing that but I can confirm that the concave is a harder light.

battistella
 
Hi guys, just wanted to report back on a whole host of questions as we are only three days from the deadline, August 10, 2014. Anyone who wants to get in on this should send me an email to see the configurator and get your unique password in order to take advantage of the 20% off to REDusers. The “(starter) kits” are only suggestions, all KFlect items can be ordered separately.


I'll list this out as more of a FAQ so that it's easy to understand.



1. What is the budget range for a starter Kit?
Before laying out costs, consider some cost savings. Less lighting, less truck space, less power consumption. All of these go up with the size of the production and it's all relative. In a small TT kit you are able to bend and shape one light into many sources so each panel is like having another light, a soft light, a slash, a spot, a fill, etc. For larger sets, while the cost of a fixture is expensive it replaces many lights. Also there are far less cables on set, it's quieter (less ballasts running) and also generates less heat.

That said the average starting kit runs from 1000€ to 4000€ depending on need. If you are unsure or hesitant It's wise to get started with just the small kit I posted here, which is quite useful and let's you experiment with all the surfaces for well under 1000$ USD. In my examples above I created four light setups with that little kit, which is less than the cost of a single fixture in most cases.

2. What is the discount?
K-Flect is offering 20% off 240 items listed in the configurator file I will email you. There is the exception of parts manufactured by 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] parties like luminaries (e.g. K5600), bulbs (e.g. Osram) or ballasts (e.g. B&S).
This GROUP BUY discount is offered to the REDUSER Community and is applicable on each order that reaches KFlect in Vienna August 10[SUP]th[/SUP], 2014 at the latest.

3. Is a 100x100 like a 20x20 ft ultra bounce?
The size of the reflecting surface AND the distance between the persons/objects to be photographed will affect the characteristics of the intended lighting. In order to enlarge the reflecting surface, KFLECT has developed the K-Holder. This telescopic device enables mounting either 50x50cm or 100x100cm K-Flectors. So, several K-Flectors can be “seamless” juxtaposed for creating the desired reflecting surface. Advantages in comparison with “1 piece” large reflecting units are the flexibility – e.g. to fit the available space on set – and the possibility to create a diversity of moods while configuring different K-Flectors to create a large reflecting surface.

4. Is the Kflect a Copy of an original by Christian Berger?
The KFLECT-RLS is not a copy but the offspring of an intense collaboration with Christian Berger. Unfortunately, he and our investor PANI have terminated our joint venture abruptly. Therefore, the tools produced by KACZEK VISUALS must be considered as an improved and expanded range of originals RLS which may or may not still be available.

5. Will this work with any light source including the Helolux?
Short answer is YES. The light emitted by Hexolux units can, like the one produced by any other luminary, be reflected. When used with an efficient source or beam of light, like the sun or a parallel light beam then obviously the you can get more light out of the reflectors. And also the soft light, produced by a SoftBox or an overcast sky can also be reflected.

6. Can you define and differentiate between some terms that are being used?
PAR = parabolic aluminized reflector;
BEAM = ray (of light)
PANIBEAM = Name of a luminary manufactured by the Austrian company PANI – it generates a parallel beam of light out of a metal halide lamp, double-ended 1200 W HMI bulb.
The KFLECT light sources are called K-BEAM 40 and 70 (the numbers show the diameters in cm)

7. Can you talk about the size of the KBeam?
While some question the price and the size of the K-BEAM 40 JB, it must be considered that there is virtually no need for any other lights when 1 (one) Joker Bug 800 is used. An open face lamp (type redhead Ianebeam, Cinelite or Arrilite) with the same electric power (800 Watt), is mostly used with a diffusing gel or bounced towards the ceiling in order to obtain the need illumination. Using the (same) 800 W, but redirecting this full light power on a few K-Flectors you not only provide the needed illumination, but also – and this is the most important aspect – enable to design the appropriate lighting mood through the different surfaces in the system.

8. What on set safety is taken into consideration with the Kflectors?
a) All standard K-Flectors (10x20, 30x30cm, 50x50 and 100x100cm) have a hole for threading a safety bond (like the SECUFLECT) in one corner.
b) The adequate selection of one of the 4 rubber-encapsulated magnets (provided with 22, 43, 66 and 88mm diameters) guaranties a firm and save mounting of the K-Flectors.

9. What about front surface mirrors?
Front-surface mirrors have to be used in front of lenses for image acquisition or projection purposes, they avoid ghost images. They have not necessarily to be used to bounce light. Following several tests, KFlect decided to use thin acrylic plates with a high reflective layer coated on the rear side.
The advantages of this technology are:
1. a neutral chromatic reflection of the whole spectrum.
2. more than 97% reflection, 3/ in comparison with glass mirrors, these reflectors are lightweight and they don’t break.
There is one word of caution though, because of their temperature sensitivity, the K-Flectors # 1 may not be placed in the focal point less than 3 m from the K-BEAM, and certainly not in front of a Xenon light source.

10. Can I see this anywhere in London?
Check in with the worldwide ARRI RENTAL network, it should be possible to order some KFLECT tools at their place – ARRI Rental Munich already has some equipment.

11. Is there any US vendor/support?
As of today, KFlect does not have a US vendor/support network. In case of “problems or issues”, Kflect will exchange any faulty KFLECT tools, but none that are damaged by users.
For parts produced by 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] parties (e.g. Manfrotto or K5600) please consult your local dealers.

12. What about US customs?
The questions about KFLECT import in US have to be cleared in the US.
It is important to not that nothing considered “military equipment” is part of the KFLECT-RLS.

13. How do I use the system outdoors?
The K-GRIP tools enable a safe and long lasting attachment and positioning of the KFlectors.
But this is only guaranteed if the (stands, tripods, scaffolding, etc.) are selected according to the weather conditions and secured and installed properly.

14. What about a North America Distribution point in Toronto, Canada?
KFLect is in active discussions about possibilities and opportunities of setting up North American Distribution in Toronto. More info on this by this fall.

15. Can you give a short overview of how most Kflectors are used?
# 1 (mirror) is mostly used (as a relay) to reflect light coming from the source to another K-Flector witch will illuminate the subject. # 2 can do the same, while adding a soft
touch. Often one can use a 10x20 or 30x30 K-Flector #2 to redirect the beam to a 50x50 #4.


Hope this helps guys,

Battistella





 
Med D said:
I'm very interested in this gear but the documentation leaves a lot to the imagination. That link above is really just a features list. A user guide with some details would be much better. It looks like the most elaborate document they offer on the website is the price list.
Click to expand...

Yes would have to agree the website really doesn't do enough to explain or sell one on the promise and advantages of reflective lighting system.
And the video page footage is kind of uninspiring footage.

http://www.kflect.com/video/
_____________

David your tabletop clips are exactly the kind of stuff they should have on their website.
But it looks like you used all S2 size reflectors which looks fine for tabletop footage or maybe even talking head/interview.

But for covering a scene with multiple actors moving around each other it is still a question mark.
And the DP Starter kit consists mostly of the S size reflectors and only 2 L Reflectors...and 0 XL Relectors
..so is that enough to even shoot a master shot in a large/medium room..?

Simple idea would have a video of a DP taking the starter kit and lighting up a room with it.
Instead unfortunate..it leaves everyone on their own kind of guessing what they can do with it.


DP Starter Kit Contents
http://shop.kflect.com/k-flector/k-bag-dop.html

• 17 K-Flectors S (20x10 cm)
• 6 K-Flectors M (30x30 cm)
• 2 K-Flectors L (50x50 cm)


REFLECTOR SIZES

[TABLE="class: data-table grouped-items-table"]
[TR="class: first odd"]
[TD]S (20cm x 10cm / 7.87" x 3.94")[/TD]
[TD="class: a-right"][/TD]
[TD="class: a-center last"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: even"]
[TD]M (30cm x 30cm / 11.8" x 11.8")[/TD]
[TD="class: a-right"][/TD]
[TD="class: a-center last"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: odd"]
[TD]L (50cm x 50cm / 1.64ft x 1.64ft)[/TD]
[TD="class: a-right"][/TD]
[TD="class: a-center last"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: last even"]
[TD]XL (1m x 1m / 3.28ft x 3.28ft )[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
 
Thanks for those samples Patrick!

Guys,

I agree that the samples are not great. I spoke with Frederic today about creating some scenarios with video and supporting materials. Unfortunately that won't happening time for this group buy, but there could've another one in the future.

i feel like if I wanted to light a wider area I could get away with what I have and 4 to six 30x30 panels 2 mirror, 2 soft, 2 hard.

a 10x10 can push out a wider area, but I would not tackle larger spaces without 30x30.

If you are interested but unsure at the moment, maybe just order like six 10x10's so you can get the in your hands and get a feel for what it's like to even light a small area. It's hard to get your head around it at first as we a re so used to flood spot fresnels, kinkos, source 4's, pars and on and on, but the reason the smaller panels are nice is that you end up not having to do any flagging.

Reverse engineer that scene I did here as a sample. If you wanted to do that same lighting. How many lights, scrims, flagging, positioning, what kind of lights, barn doors, etc. I could do it with a small dedo kit, but I think it would be a lot more work and time to achieve the same result.

lets keep talking, here or off list if you want to Skype or something.

And just another note, it's not about selling, but about understanding. I'm doing this group buy because I think this is a cool and very practical way to light.

battistella
 
Fantastic.

im glad people took advantage of this offer. I've never done a group buy and this was a fun experience for me.


Battistella
 
I have sent in a filled-out configurator spreadsheet with a promise to purchase if valid. Does that constitute an order, or do I have to do something else?
 
Michael Tiemann said:
I have sent in a filled-out configurator spreadsheet with a promise to purchase if valid. Does that constitute an order, or do I have to do something else?
Click to expand...


I'd call that an order :) Send a copy to me as well and that way it will be timedate stamped in case of any mixup.

Cheers,
Battistella
 
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