650 Watt Dedo Light

26th June 2004

Has anyone on the list used the 650 watt tungsten Dedo light? How have you used it, and how did you like it?

Jessica Gallant
Los Angeles based Director of Photography
West Coast Systems Administrator, Cinematography Mailing List
https://cinematography.net/

Jessica Gallant writes :

>Has anyone on the list used the 650 watt tungsten Dedo light? How >have you used it, and how did you like it?

Jessica,

I own two of these. I was looking for a more versatile lamp than the redhead for use in docos. I find that I don't get the spill inherent with open faces, I have even retired the ever shrinking pieces of blackwrap that used to be in my kit. I use them for long throws out of frame and accent lights that I can't get close enough with a 150.

They aren't as tight as a 150 Dedo (sometimes a bonus) but much better than a conventional fresnel. They are great bounced into poly or foamcore but not as wide as a redhead (again no side spill though).

Any more questions, ask. PS. I haven't changed the first bulbs I bought them with 18 months ago.

Nick Paton
Director of Photography
Brisbane, Australia
www.npdop.com

>>I use them for long throws out of frame and accent lights that I can't get >close enough with a 150. They aren't as tight as a 150 Dedo >(sometimes a bonus) but much better than a conventional fresnel.

That's pretty much what I was hoping for - something a little punchier than a traditional fresnel w/less spill and a cleaner beam for harder shadows.

I'd like to be able to use them as an accent light, or an easy to hide backlight when shooting on location in tight quarters. Or throwing noir-ish shadows against a wall.

I like the 150's a lot and they're easy to rent. Not too many places seem to carry the 650.

Our lighting package on "Tom's Wife" (for 19 of our 20 days) consisted of a Chinese lantern and a 300 watt fresnel. I may be shooting sometime similar in L.A. in April and would like something a little more versatile than a 300 watt fresnel.

Jessica Gallant
Los Angeles based Director of Photography
West Coast Systems Administrator, Cinematography Mailing List

I use them all the time and love them

Cheers

Geoff Boyle FBKS
Director of Photography
EU Based
www.cinematography.net

Jessica writes :

>>w/less spill and a cleaner beam for harder shadows. I'd like to be able >to use them as an accent light, or an easy to hide backlight when >shooting on location in tight quarters

Yes, to all of these. Remember that the beam isn't as punchy as the 150s....due mainly to the 150s fine filament...one of the reasons that Dedos are low voltage mainly. The 436 lamps will give you a harder shadow, about the same output and sharper due to the filament being more focusable and thus sharper. I like the softer beam of the 650s for my application.

Nick Paton
Director of Photography
Brisbane, Australia

>>I like the softer beam of the 650s for my application.

Just to be sure I understand you, while the 650's beam isn't as sharp as the 150's, it's still sharper than a Fresnel’s beam, correct?

That's what I'm looking for.

Jessica Gallant
Los Angeles based Director of Photography
West Coast Systems Administrator, Cinematography Mailing List

>>Just to be sure I understand you, while the 650's beam isn't as sharp >as the 150's, it's still sharper than a Fresnel’s beam, correct?

Absolutely, just not as sharp as the 436. Long throw, great for hair lights at a distance or kickers etc. that need control across a room.

Nick Paton
Director of Photography
Brisbane, Australia

>>Absolutely, just not as sharp as the 436. Long throw, great for hair lights >at a distance or kickers etc. that need control across a room.

Sounds just about perfect. Thank you (and Geoff) very much for
sharing your thoughts about the DLH650.

Jessica Gallant
Los Angeles based Director of Photography
West Coast Systems Administrator, Cinematography Mailing List