I wanna build this Ringlight (using bulbs):
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**thomps6s** · 06-16-2009 10:01 AM

But with Fluorescent lights and a dimmer switch.

http://jyoseph.com/diy-ringlight-for...t-photography/

**PhatheadWRX** · 06-16-2009 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by thomps6s

with Fluorescent lights and a dimmer switch.

does not compute...

I don't think you can dim flourescents. Do you mean CCFLs?

**thomps6s** · 06-16-2009 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by PhatheadWRX

does not compute...

I don't think you can dim flourescents. Do you mean CCFLs?

This is what I have seen used before. Didn't realize you couldn't dim them. Why is that?

**jacobsen1** · 06-16-2009 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by PhatheadWRX

I don't think you can dim flourescents. Do you mean CCFLs?

you "can't" but we put one in a dimmered socket and it "works" (buzzes funny though and we try not to dim it). Also, what's a CCFL?

I'd also LOVE to build one, but this would fall under the GT4 logitech wheel base I built a few years back... lots of dirty looks and criticisms from Nikki for it. Instead I want to build a better ringflash (-vs- my old attempts) for my speedlight now that I have the off camera cord.

although this would be a ton of fun for parties at the house. Setup the camera on a tripod like a "photo booth" with a remote?

**jjswee** · 06-16-2009 10:24 AM

Dont dim fluorescents!

It is very very bad for the electronics inside (the Ballast).

Edit - You can't dim normal fluorescent lights. Lutron (awesome company in PA) makes dimmable ones. Check out their website. They are all about home lighting.

**thomps6s** · 06-16-2009 10:31 AM

Here is a perfect example of why this particular ring light works awesome.

Check out Doug's work, he has some amazing well rounded shots. He is from Baaaaaastan as well.
http://archive.douglaslevyphotography.com/c/douglevy

**danm** · 06-16-2009 10:32 AM

that is a cool ass photo.

**jacobsen1** · 06-16-2009 10:51 AM

yeah, the bubbles are a brilliant idea (that I'll steal!).

**Dave6265** · 06-16-2009 11:42 AM

That bubbles picture is crazy!

**danm** · 01-15-2010 03:21 PM

dangit shawn, now i want to build one of these. i already have the tools and ply wood, just need the electrical bits

**thomps6s** · 01-15-2010 03:32 PM

Do eet!

**jjswee** · 01-15-2010 03:34 PM

If ya do it, use these light bulbs. GE Reveal

**thomps6s** · 01-15-2010 03:36 PM

It would be nice to put a dimmer switch on it too.

**danm** · 01-15-2010 03:37 PM

i have a possibililty for a homemade beauty dish too. if it pans out i will make a new thread

**danm** · 01-15-2010 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by thomps6s

It would be nice to put a dimmer switch on it too.

yeah but from Distorto's experience you need pretty much full power anyways for exposure purposes

**thomps6s** · 01-15-2010 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by danm

yeah but from Distorto's experience you need pretty much full power anyways for exposure purposes

What if you want to shoot at F/1.4?

**danm** · 01-15-2010 03:42 PM

well i cant remember what he shot at, he has both 1.8 and 2.8 glass though. prolly 2.8. it would all depend of course on the conditions and bulbs etc. it would certainly be a nice feature, especially the time you need it.

**Idjiit** · 01-15-2010 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by jjswee

If ya do it, use these light bulbs. GE Reveal

Why? They have a poor CRI in relation to normal bulbs. If you're not mixing with other sources, you're better off just shooting with plain-old clear tungsten bulbs since they'll give you a better CRI, resulting in better balanced colors in the end if you WB correctly.

**jjswee** · 01-15-2010 03:55 PM

Oh I just liked the color they gave. Whats CRI?

**Kilonad** · 01-15-2010 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by Idjiit

Why? They have a poor CRI in relation to normal bulbs. If you're not mixing with other sources, you're better off just shooting with plain-old clear tungsten bulbs since they'll give you a better CRI, resulting in better balanced colors in the end if you WB correctly.

really? hmm, did not know that. they look better, but maybe they aren't?

edit: intriguing....
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=22418166

and now I'm confused:
http://people.brandeis.edu/~sekuler/...ringLight.html

link #1 says their CRI is around 70 and crap. link #2 says it's around 92-93 and good. but they also show a graph of the spectrum, and it's crap compared to a regular bulb.

here we go:
http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/NLPI...advantages.asp

standard clear glass incandescent bulb CRI = 100
ge reveal CRI = 78

**danm** · 01-15-2010 04:00 PM

i use those reveals in my bathroom, they give great light there. well for bulb light that is

**porschewrx** · 01-15-2010 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by jjswee

Whats CRI?

+1

**thomps6s** · 01-15-2010 04:05 PM

CRI = Corporate Retail Implementation

**jjswee** · 01-15-2010 04:07 PM

http://www.lightbulbsdirect.com/page/001/CTGY/CRI

**danm** · 01-15-2010 04:13 PM

so someone just tell me the ones i want. that article geoff put up says that reveal suck, but make things look great

**Kilonad** · 01-15-2010 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by danm

so someone just tell me the ones i want. that article geoff put up says that reveal suck, but make things look great

they make certain colors "pop" more to the eyes, but they're worse at discerning true colors.

**Idjiit** · 01-15-2010 04:21 PM

There's a difference between what looks good to your eye, and what's good for photography. Tungsten bulbs can look ****ty in person, but better in photographs assuming you're not mixing them with flash, sunlight, etc.

**danm** · 01-15-2010 04:23 PM

so the cheapest clear glass tungsten lights are best way to go?

**Idjiit** · 01-15-2010 04:25 PM

For something like that crazy ring flash? I would say so. You might want to get something with a soft coating on it to diffuse the light a little, but anything that's changing the color temp will be ****ing with the CRI to a greater degree.

**Kilonad** · 01-15-2010 04:28 PM

if you want to go the fluorescent route, these are about the highest CRI i've found so far (93-94): http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com...ent_32_ctg.htm

**danm** · 01-15-2010 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by Kilonad

if you want to go the fluorescent route, these are about the highest CRI i've found so far (93-94): http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com...ent_32_ctg.htm

but how are these with lumen output? ideally i would have frosted bulb with high CRI and still realtaively high Lumens for easy exposure settings

is 700 lumens per bulb goo dlumen output

**Idjiit** · 01-15-2010 04:32 PM

You can get high output CFLs, with the added benefit of not being a burn hazard to you and your models. Of course, then they're a mercury poisoning hazard if you manage to knock it over.

**Kilonad** · 01-15-2010 04:34 PM

http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com...t_411_prd1.htm get these and you won't have to worry about lumens, as it's equivalent to a 125W incandescent bulb.

**Kilonad** · 01-15-2010 04:35 PM

http://www.studiolighting.net/homema...lb-ring-light/ you can also try doing this instead.

**danm** · 01-15-2010 04:38 PM

i think i will end up with cheaper bulbs than those uber ones geoff. that would be a $150 total build easy

**Kilonad** · 01-15-2010 04:43 PM

yeah, **** gets pricey real fast. that's why i don't always understand the DIY stuff.

have fun baking your model though.

**danm** · 01-15-2010 04:45 PM

i'll have to use Sam's ice technique when necessary

**Kilonad** · 01-15-2010 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by danm

i'll have to use Sam's ice technique when necessary

yeah, I was gonna say... come to think of it, that might be a good way to get them out of their clothes.

**jjswee** · 01-15-2010 06:21 PM

Its amazing how much you can put into research into the simplest of tasks, like buying light bulbs.

Originally Posted by kilonad

yeah, I was gonna say... come to think of it, that might be a good way to get them out of their clothes.

Win.

**Angelo** · 01-16-2010 01:24 AM

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

you "can't" but we put one in a dimmered socket and it "works" (buzzes funny though and we try not to dim it). Also, what's a CCFL?

Cold Cathode Fluorescent Light. My light table uses them.

-A

**a.hoglen** · 01-16-2010 07:28 AM

Just on a side note:
Put a little more thought into the wiring and dimmer switch mounting. i'm pretty sure with any use this guy will electrocute himself at least twice(I say twice because from my experience in working with voltage, most people don't realize exactly what happens the first time and proceed to shock themselves again almost immediately).

**thechickencow** · 01-16-2010 10:44 AM

Hehe, nice hoglen!

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