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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 :)

HMI... Any cheap alternatives?

I looked through them, you picked the one weird one out of all of them. What can I say, if you have a large and popular website there are lots of good things that happen but also some strange things that happen too.

I'm not aware of any reviews in a trade publication but then I haven't sought any as we're selling about all we get into stock.

For instance, this one is from Matthew "macville" Rogers who is a RED owner and frequents here quite often:

http://www.coollights.biz/cl455p-cool-lights-portable-watt-softlight-pr-67.html

A pretty good review on the portable fluorescents by DP Mark Schlicher who frequents DVXUser:

http://www.coollights.biz/cl255p-cool-lights-portable-watt-softlight-pri-66.html?reviews_id=12

And others:

http://www.coollights.biz/cl255p-cool-lights-portable-watt-softlight-pri-66.html?reviews_id=11

http://www.coollights.biz/cl255-cool-lights-watt-fluorescent-video-soft-light-pr-30.html

http://www.coollights.biz/cl455-cool-lights-watt-fluorescent-video-soft-light-pr-31.html

Here are some people talking on DVXUser about the CL-MF0150 CDM fresnel:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=140053&highlight=fresnel

Here some are talking about Cool Lights vs. Kino Flo:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=123731&highlight=cl-455P

Do a search on DVInfo.net also as we have many happy customers over there too. We value these kinds of reviews far more than a "trade review" which is nothing more than a snapshot of one particular product at a certain moment in time. It doesn't take into account evolution, improvements, etc.

What else can I say? We've been sponsoring DVXUser for about 18 months now and many of our customers have come from there. I also frequent DVInfo.net. We have several customers on this board.

If what we were doing wasn't working, that would have become apparent by now and we would have been chased off DVXUser. DVXUser is a sister site of this one with same management. Who could believe you could hold back bad reviews if it was warranted? You'd be banning people left and right and that's not the case. There's no censorship of bad reviews here or at DVXUser. Actually people are far more likely to talk about a bad experience than a good one. Good ones are taken for granted.

You don't keep sponsoring a site if you don't believe in it and if the patrons of that site aren't reciprocating which they wouldn't be if what you are doing is not valid.
 
Hey Richard.

Do you you have an agent/reseller over in the UK where i can have a look at these/get them? Cos im thinking about getting a set portable lights and would like to have gander if possible.


Andrew.
 
Entitled said:
Hey Richard.

Do you you have an agent/reseller over in the UK where i can have a look at these/get them? Cos im thinking about getting a set portable lights and would like to have gander if possible.


Andrew.
Click to expand...

No I don't. Our model is manufacturer direct and all the customers in Europe have bought direct from us--up to this point. We will move into Europe from a local standpoint in the future when it makes sense. If you send me an email (to richard@coollights.biz) and mention that you wanted references, I can give you several customers over in the UK you can talk to or perhaps go by and even see them in person. There's at least one customer of ours here on reduser.net for instance.
 
coollights said:
I looked through them, you picked the one weird one out of all of them. What can I say, if you have a large and popular website there are lots of good things that happen but also some strange things that happen too.

...

Do a search on DVInfo.net also as we have many happy customers over there too. We value these kinds of reviews far more than a "trade review" which is nothing more than a snapshot of one particular product at a certain moment in time. It doesn't take into account evolution, improvements, etc.
Click to expand...

Actually, it was your site software that picked the weird one. I just thought it was funny that it was your featured quote. :clown2:

Basically I just wanted a more detailed review from a credible source, like what you often find from more formal publications. Nonetheless, the discussions you posted were very helpful, and you do seem to have quite a following. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on Cools Lights. Thanks.
 
Okay, thanks Richard. I'm on location at the moment on a ex-RAF base for the next week or so my internet access is limited i'm doing this through my phone. I'll contact you when i can.

Andrew.
 
That's a T8 bulb. Not too many fixtures out there use that in the film/video world. I guess you could use it for DIY fixtures, but T8 and T12 tubes are really not all that great in output. The T5 (of which the 55w biax tube like most vendors use is part of that family) is really far superior to T8 and T12 for lumen per watt output. CRI is not everything by the way although many believe it to be. The higher your CRI, the lower the lumen output. Thats why Cool Lights centered on CRI 87 to 90ish. In that range we found the best overall spike reduction as well as still maintaining decent light output. Lumen output goes down drastically in that range from 91 to 98.
 
So far we have ordered 4-CDM 150w Fresnel (w/ 3000K & 5400k bulbs), 2-575w HMI Fresnel’s/Ballasts, 2-2x55w Dimming Flo 5600K & 2-4x55w Dimming Flo 5600K, with Eggcrates.

When I receive the first shipment we plan to call Richard (for the 6th time as he takes the time to talk and educate) and are going to order 2-1200w HMI Pars & 2-CL-655 6 X 55 watt Fluorescent Video Soft lights. I wait patiently for his LEDs (and a 6k HMI pleeeeeeeeeeese!!).

All before I have received a single light due to the unbelievable reviews I keep reading. It seems every night there are more posted. And prices WILL go up for late adopters. These are not cheap clones… if you actually speak to owners, these are quality lights at a fair price. And it's about time. We’re a rental house for indies.. lower prices for us means quicker ROI and in turn we can offer lower prices than anyone in the area. (Shhhhhhhhhhh….)

Draw less power, weigh less, built like tanks. Richard is light years ahead of the other CDM / HMI-HID manufacturers and this is why he cannot keep lights in stock. This is the only compliant I have heard, ever. And early suggestions were implemented as he takes feedback and if it's good it gets used.

- Cool Lights 1200W HMi PAR $3199.00 (for now)
- Arri 1200 $7999.00 at most places (lists @ $9500)

Our trucks will be filled with his lights & products by the end of the year and the minute he introduces another product we will order. I say, order ONE light, and then generalize. If you stay on quality control I don’t care where products are manufactured… If we can beat the crap out of it and it strikes, I’m sold. We have another source for Chinese triple riser stands (with wheels) for $120.

And here's those 'cheap' Chinese clones. Poo-poo.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pro-1-2k-HMI-PA...oryZ3860QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Billy
RedBoston
 
We started with the 575/1200w and lower because thats what the average indy will be able to handle from a voltage standpoint (1200w can comfortably be used in normal circuits). When you start to get above 1200w, then your talking about special circuits and therefore more specialized use. We will get there but we're taking baby steps for now. 2500w and 4000w would be the next logical additions.
 
You know if you want lights from Richard, you'd better get in line soon. I know he usually sells right out of stock he has. I've got 4 from him, waiting on 2 more that were ordered (your remember right richard?) and am also waiting for 4 of the new portable line. I was going to post a review with samples but I'm also waiting on the birger mount, maybe the birger will come next week... I was kind of hoping I could get all my lights before you lot found out what a good dollar to lumen ratio he's selling but ah well, looks like cats out of the bag. If you're not sure, call Richard and talk to him. He reminds me a lot of Paul Buff which you guys in the photo world will know does the well priced alien bees line of strobes.
 
Ledz and T5 BlueMax

Ledz and T5 BlueMax

Jared,

Are you recommending the LEDz lights as the best fit for the Red camera?

I found these T5 tubes with better CRI than other lights being mentioned here:

http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com/product_103_detailed.htm

# Wattage: 54 watts
# CRI: 96
# Kelvin: 5900
# Lumens: 5200

Increasing CRI does not seem to have actually restricted the Lumens, in contravention of some stated claims above.

Compared side by side to ARRI tubes:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/384529-REG/Arri_581046_55W_5600K_Fluorescent_Lamp.html

Arri 55W Cinema Plus Biax Fluorescent Lamp - 5600 Degrees

Color rendering index = 90.

Watts
55
Volts
101
Color Temperature
5600&degK
Average Life Hours
Not specified by manufacturer
Approx. Lumens
2600


How's that equation supposed to go again?

Yeah, many people have google.
 
mail4joeg said:
Jared,

Are you recommending the LEDz lights as the best fit for the Red camera?
Click to expand...

Not as the BEST fit.. just a good fit. We just like the form factor, output power open plus the softness when diffused... plus of course, the fact that they are closely balanced to roughly the native temperature of our sensor helps too..
 
My truck is loaded with almost all ARRI HMIs. They are very reliable, bright and worst of all $$$$$$$$$$. I use them everyday so I pay.

GE now makes a "Cinema" line of fluorescent daylight balanced bulbs. I use them in my Kinos. They are comparable to the Kino globes and half the cost. Load them in some cheap hardware store fixtures and go for it! Just mind the flicker issue!!!!! (The trick is 60Hz power is any frame rate divisible by 120 = 120, 60, 30, 24, 20....., or 50Hz divisible by 100)

Or use an 80c filter (1/2Blue and looses 1 full stop). It will get you closer to daylight.
 
mail4joeg said:
Jared,

Are you recommending the LEDz lights as the best fit for the Red camera?

I found these T5 tubes with better CRI than other lights being mentioned here:

http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com/product_103_detailed.htm

# Wattage: 54 watts
# CRI: 96
# Kelvin: 5900
# Lumens: 5200

Increasing CRI does not seem to have actually restricted the Lumens, in contravention of some stated claims above.

Compared side by side to ARRI tubes:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/384529-REG/Arri_581046_55W_5600K_Fluorescent_Lamp.html

Arri 55W Cinema Plus Biax Fluorescent Lamp - 5600 Degrees

Color rendering index = 90.

Watts
55
Volts
101
Color Temperature
5600&degK
Average Life Hours
Not specified by manufacturer
Approx. Lumens
2600


How's that equation supposed to go again?

Yeah, many people have google.
Click to expand...

Its better to compare apples to apples, etc. Your comparing a T5HO (high output) linear tube to the 55w biax U shaped tube. They might both be from the T5 family but they're still different and have different characteristics.

The more appropriate comparison is between the Arri 55w biax and our biax tube. Their's CRI 90 / 2600 lumens. Ours CRI 87 and 2900 lumens.

And all this is dependent on the ballast driving your bulbs too. One ballast may not drive so efficiently as another, etc.

If you like that T5 linear tube, why not make a fixture and then report back to us on how it performs.
 
yea this is the next big test.... We need some redroom mega testing done here and see what we get with the eyes.
 
I just received three of Richard's CL-MF0150 CDM Fresnels. Just started testing them.

They are very cool. I put my Altman 650 next to them and it is hot. I can touch the housing on these after they have been running for 30 min.

Quick thoughts:

1. They put out less light than my Altman 650. My meter shows right at 1 stop less light. This is with the daylight balanced bulb.

2. With the tungsten balanced bulb it is about 1/2 stop less light.

3. The tungsten bulb is VERY green. I got it just to have, but after seeing how green it is I don't think I will ever use it. Maybe its a bad bulb.

4. I haven't checked the color temp on the daylight bulbs, but they look prefect to my eye.

5. The fixture can only hold one scrim with the barn doors on. It is a tight fit. Wish it could atleast take two, but oh well.

6. I need to find out what size scrims they need, but the scrims for my Altman are 1/4" or so too big in diameter. I think I read somewhere that these use a Mole size scrim and not Arri size.

7. The light doesn't feel as solid as my Altman. It doesn't feel cheap, just not as solid.

So far I am happy with my purchase. Cool, daylight balanced fresnel, for an affordable price.

Thanks Richard. Let me know when you get a 250w or 400w. The ballast on your 575w just looks too big to me. Maybe the pics are making it look bigger than it really is.



Mahalo,
Dusty
 
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