OT: variation on nanolight

richard-courtney wrote on 7/12/2008, 6:48 PM
I discovered my favorite nanolight is missing and needed a quick replacement.
Found a slightly damaged softbox at local camera shop and with some scrap
aluminum made a mount that attaches the reflector to a light stand.


A 1/4"-20 weld-nut with flange (found at my local hardware store) allows the head
to be attached to light stand (or spare tripod).


2" wide aluminum was used to make the sides and 1/2" L strips make up the
corners. I intend to redo the unit using four edison sockets instead of one
and a "Y" adapter to get even more light. Two CFLs are enough for now for
closeups.

While this looks more like a commercial unit rather than a "nanolight" concept,
thought I'd share because still far less cost than a pro video softbox.

EDIT: corrected proper name of T nut - weld nut

ADDITIONAL INFO:
The softbox is a RPS STUDIO RS-3620 EZ Open.
I especially like the umbrella style spines and metal protecting the bulbs.

Comments

DavidMcKnight wrote on 7/12/2008, 7:15 PM
could you describe a little more or provide some pics of the mount to the light stand? I've only used T-nuts with wood and I'm having a hard time visualizing what you're doing...

Great resourcefulness, by the way. It looks great.
richard-courtney wrote on 7/12/2008, 8:18 PM
Sorry my mistake... it is a weld nut and could find them at Ace Hardware and Lowes.

I drilled and tapped the aluminum side panel for three 4-40 screws.
Steve Mann wrote on 7/12/2008, 9:15 PM
"I intend to redo the unit using four edison sockets instead of one
and a "Y" adapter to get even more light. Two CFLs are enough for now for
closeups."

Add two more "Y" adapters and you have four lights.....

I still don't get how you attach the box to a light stand. Is the thread on the 'weld nut' a 1/4-inch thread?
farss wrote on 7/12/2008, 10:43 PM
If it helps Manfrotto make a variety of fittings that go onto the baby pins on top of stands and have a variety of bolts on the other end.
The 014-14 is very handy and at $11 not worth the effort trying to make your own.
Bob.
Grazie wrote on 7/12/2008, 10:55 PM
" . . and at $11 not worth the effort trying to make your own."

Bob? You failed to mention that it comes with a 1 year warranty too! Bargain!


Actually, it doesn't say I can extend the warranty? Maybe I can .. dunno .. Hmmm...

Grazie
richard-courtney wrote on 7/13/2008, 5:37 AM
The inside thread of the weld nut is 1/4 - 20. The flange (flat spot) has three
small holes. I drilled a 3/8" hole in the box so the weld nut can be mounted flush
with the box. Three smaller holes are drilled and tapped for 4-40 screws to secure
the nut.

The box head is rotated onto the 1/4 - 20 baby thread on the light stand.
The umbrella speed ring has four knurled screws that secure it to my round end plate.

I don't recommend using "Y" sockets. (it makes the unit unbalanced)
I simply did not have enough scrap aluminum to make a box large enough to
surround 2 or more edison light sockets. My next one will have 4 sockets.

BOB: I thought about a clamp you linked to.
It added to the cost.
Would take a week for delivery.
Provided no tilting. I can screw a tripod quick release plate to the head
and use an old tripod.
johnmeyer wrote on 7/13/2008, 7:34 AM
What CF bulb did you use? The color of these seems to vary all over the place and, while not as bad as traditional fluorescents, seems to be a color all its own. I'd love to get some that were close to either daylight or tungsten.
lynn1102 wrote on 7/13/2008, 2:36 PM
I replaced the lamp in my edit room with "soft white" and they are about the same color as the regular lamps I had here. Lamps are marked "3000K" I tried the "cool white" and the room turned almost a bluish color, almost like the color of the new head light in cars.
I did notice while looking at them in my local Lowes, most of them had Kelvin ratings, but you had to look for them. Mine are listed on the base of the lamp rather than on the package. I think the cool whites I had were 5600K.

Lynn
Steve Mann wrote on 7/13/2008, 8:29 PM
I haven't tested them for color yet, but I picked up a few N:Vision CFL's that are rated at 5600k. They were at Home Depot, the 27W, 1300 Lumen lamp is SKU# 762418527558. The 14W, 630 Lumen lamp SKU# is 762148514558.

If someone beats me to it for testing, let us know what you find.
richard-courtney wrote on 7/14/2008, 10:45 AM
I like http://www.naturallighting.com/web/shop.php?crn=565&rn=2312&action=show_detailVita-Lite 26W[/link] they seem to be white after 2 minute warmup.
Always allow them to warm up a few minutes before white balancing!

5500K 1580 lumen and CRI 90! But $16 each.

I did find a 3200K N:vision locally that was not too yellowish.
richard-courtney wrote on 9/6/2008, 1:11 PM
I reworked my softbox to support four cfl bulbs.

The box is made from http://www.speedymetals.com/ps-4639-193-5-od-x-025-wall-tube-6061-t6-aluminum.aspx5" round aluminum tube[/link] 3" long and http://www.speedymetals.com/ps-1939-133-0063-5052-h32-aluminum-sheet.aspxaluminum sheet[/link].
You can download the EMS program from http://www.emachineshop.com/ftp/emssetup153.exeeMachineShop.com[/link] to print an actual size
To cut the circles I used a http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00925293000PSears circle cutter[/link] and a drill press.
The switches http://www.gcelectronics.com/order/product_search.aspGC 35-3030[/link] and IEC power socket are from a local electronics shop.
Each switch controls two 14 watt cfl (60 watt tungsten equivalent) bulbs.

The http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546500-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_119_119_Short_16mm_Adapter.htmlbrass stud[/link] is from Manfrotto and is mounted using
a 3/8" - 16 brass bolt.

The 1/4" hole in the middle is from the circle cutting process but I will mount
a handle (a friend is milling!) to adjust the light position.
The reflector is a RPS STUDIO RS-3620 EZ Open photographers softbox
You can use ONLY with cool CFL lamps. I especially like the umbrella style
spines and metal protecting the bulbs.

ENJOY!
blink3times wrote on 9/6/2008, 2:24 PM
"I like Vita-Lite 26W they seem to be white after 2 minute warmup.

You can pick those up at pretty much any home supply store now for 1/2 the price. I got a bunch of 6000K ones at Home Depot for $7.95ea.
richard-courtney wrote on 9/7/2008, 6:33 AM
Prices are falling. I try to stay as close to 3200K (3300K OK)
and 5500K (full spectrum) as I can. If you are trying my latest
layout (see REVISED tag) watch for bulb diameter no larger than 1 3/4" or
they won't fit. You can use 2 larger bulbs catercorner but they result in about
the same light anyway.

If all lighting temp is the same you will have less issues color balancing
the scene. Talent sure likes the CFL over say my Lowel Pro halogens
as they are more comfortable.