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Home: Video University Forums: Filmmakers & Screenwriters:
low cost fluorescent lights

X-Robin_Christmas
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Mar 1, 2001, 10:19 AM

Post #1 of 3 (887 views)
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low cost fluorescent lights	Can't Post

The idea of using fluorescents as video lighting appeals to me, but I know that regular domestic fluorescents have problems and commercial video-specific lamps are quite expensive.
Does anyone know of techniques to modify regular fluorescents to reduce the flicker problems and make it possible to dim them?

X-w_simms
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Mar 8, 2001, 10:56 PM

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Re: low cost fluorescent lights	Can't Post

: I had the same idea myself. There are dimmable ballasts availible for flourescent tubes. The electrical supply house in my area can get them, so any supply house should be able to do the same. Also, color correstive bulbs are available for these common "Home Depot" type fixtures. I haven't addresses the blinking problem, however it must have a fix because the commercial video flourescents don't seem to have that problem.
Hope this helps.

X-Dallas
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Sep 19, 2001, 4:54 PM

Post #3 of 3 (886 views)
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low cost fluorescent lights [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think you'll find that the flourescents used for TV run at a higher frequency than domestics. However as the mains frequency and the picture fps rates are the same - no coincidence, this - there should be no problem with strobing.
How about coloured gel to balance the tubes for correction?
Just a thought...