Victor Milt Nanolights

BrianAK wrote on 9/25/2007, 1:59 PM
Been meaning to post these pics for a while, they are of an inexpensive soft light built using the advice from Victor's "Light It Right" DVD.

I made mine a bit smaller than specified in the DVD, so that they would fit into one of the standard size Pelican cases. Thanks Victor!

http://adventureonline.tv/images/nanolight%20001.jpg
http://adventureonline.tv/images/nanolight%20003.jpg
http://adventureonline.tv/images/nanolight%20008.jpg

Comments

richard-courtney wrote on 9/25/2007, 2:20 PM
Fantastic job!
Mine was made from a used music case found at a local guitar shop.
What temp bulbs you use? 3200K?
Cheno wrote on 9/25/2007, 2:45 PM
Very nice looking light - does look at the warm end of the spectrum but hard to tell sometimes with digital cam exposure -

What was the end cost? I built a 4 light set-up for about $30 - pending materials, I'm guessing this wasn't more than $50?

Love those nanolights :)

-cheno
Soniclight wrote on 9/25/2007, 3:05 PM
RockledgeEng

Very nice, using in-expensive, every day materials, and good pics. I've saved them for future study.

That said, especially with multiple images/links,it would have been even nicer if you'd added the img tag to them for convenient viewing. Instead of... new tab, copy, paste, go and view. Copy, paste, go, etc...

(Ain't we getting so instant-gratification, gotta-have-it-right-now in this modern age, eh?

By the way.... did you do that video for World Vision thatt starts up on your site?
Whatever the case, you must be a sponsor of some sorts. Good for you.

Not as slick and high tech as you, but I've got a "Save Darfur" logo and link on mine...
.
p@mast3rs wrote on 9/25/2007, 6:59 PM
still never got this right BUT....my class will be doing their own set of lights so I am guessing we will eventually get it done correctly....eventually :)
epirb wrote on 9/25/2007, 7:32 PM
Excellent job Brian !
as I mentioned I am in the process of making some "Demi-Nano's"
built one of the std Nano per my man Victor, and know i have use for some smaller ones but with larger flag attachments.
Will post when done.
Serena wrote on 9/25/2007, 7:39 PM
>>>>still never got this right BUT<<<<<

Foam core can be fragile to work with. I don't recall you detailing the problems you experienced and now that a few people have built the design maybe in the process they have found ways to overcome the difficulties you experienced? You don't have to use foamcore, but makes for a lighter assembly (for its stiffness) than other materials. Aluminium sandwich would be nice (two sheets glued to honeycomb web) if you happen to have Boeing down the end of your street.
JackW wrote on 9/25/2007, 8:33 PM
Serena: I do happen to have Boeing down at the end of my street -- well, only a couple of miles away -- Boeing's Surplus Yard. I've never seen the aluminum sandwich you reference; is it for real.

We've been using a foam core variation of the nano light -- this with a 250 photo flood and a metal reflector -- primarily for down light on large sets. I'd love to work with something a bit more rugged but as easily workable as foam core and as light weight as well.

I'll take a drive over to the Surplus Yard and see what Boeing has to offer. Thanks for the heads up!

Jack
farss wrote on 9/25/2007, 9:02 PM
I don't know if it's made thin enough to be practical but there's a aluminium and vinyl clad 'foam core' material used in the refrigeration industry.
I've been pretty lucky, have a very kind aluminium supplier who'll cut to size for no charge not too far away.

I know I keep mentioning this but Lee 273 Silver Reflector can be very handy when building lights. Or even in the workshop. I recently replace all the ageing fluro tubes where i work and some of the reflectors behind the tubes were not reflecting too much, contact glued that Lee material onto them and got a bit of a boost in light output.

Bob.
Serena wrote on 9/25/2007, 9:43 PM
Yes, sandwich materials are extensively used in aero structures and caravans, and anywhere stiff lightweight panels are wanted. A quick search found a page with a sketch http://www.pacificpanels.com/honeycomb panels[/link]. These days composite materials are the mainstay of aircraft structures and have gone far more exotic than aluminium sheets glued to paper honeycomb.
Serena wrote on 9/25/2007, 9:52 PM
>>>Lee 273 Silver Reflector<<<

I don't recall you mentioning that before -- maybe while I was away at Lake Mungo.
farss wrote on 9/25/2007, 10:27 PM
You got me thinking.
There's a plastic version of the old corragated cardboard around. You see a lot of temporat type signs made out of it. Might work well. Easy to cut and will not flake apart unlike foam core / styrofoam. Argh yes, I've even come accross flight cases made of the same corrugated plastic stuff so it must be pretty tough.

The trick with the Lee Silver reflector is using spray on contact adhesive. Jaycar sell it down here, sorry not much help to those in the USA but probably over there you get a choice of 10 different brands.


Bob.
Serena wrote on 9/25/2007, 11:57 PM
I think that board is a bit thin (about 6mm) but when you start to look there are many sources of laminates. Used in many applications http://www.polycore-australia.com.au/more honeycomb stuff[/link]
farss wrote on 9/26/2007, 1:36 AM
i was thinking for the barn doors. From time to time I see sheets of it just lying around in the street.

But if you want to buy it, it's sold under the trade name of Artmate in various thicknesses and colors.

Bob.
Serena wrote on 9/26/2007, 4:44 AM
Fine for that - agree.
BrianAK wrote on 9/26/2007, 7:32 AM
I believe the total cost was around $150, and that included everything (even the duct tape, rivots, velcro, etc.) needed to build 2 units.

Some little things off the top of my head..
1. Use the small 3/4" binder clips to easily hold and change the scrim material
2. Use two pieces of velcro in each corner to hold the sides together, one at the top and a second near the base.
3. Put the mounting U-bolts in the base before you duct tape the sides on, so you make sure you leave enough clearance for the sides to fold over the nuts
4. Make sure the sides have enough tape clearance so that two of the sides fold over the other two. Mine were originally too tight and I had to retape them.

Im hoping to fit two units in one Pelican, but dont have the second one done yet.


and Soniclight, that PSA is part of the advertising that runs on my site. I use Brightcove as my video host, and once you reach a certain plays/month they will run ads. You retain a percentage of the ad income.