LED technology has quickly turned many of our formerly common lighting units into antiques. Rather than toss them on the heap, this ad from the May 1969 issue of American Cinematographer suggests an interesting tack. It’s a sad sight in its way, though no doubt will present its own reward given the right choice of beverage.
But before pouring one of them down your neck, think about this: For all the conveniences and advantages of modern lamps, none of them come close to replicating the look and effect of a tungsten fresnel (…the bigger the better!). I never had the chance to use a carbon arc but knew enough seasoned cinematographers who pined for them after their time had passed. Please don’t lump me in with them. I’m just pointing out a major reason why motion pictures look the way they do at this point in history.
And note that I’m doing that while reaching for another cool libation from my upended, ice-filled and repurposed 20K housing…
Here’s lookin’ at you kid!
I recently did a sunset scene on location in France and wanted to use 2K tungsten fresnels for the day interior to create orange hard light on faces… I was asked why I couldn’t use LEDs but when I use tungsten, I know exactly what color I’m going to get, and with a fresnel, I know exactly how a flag will cut it.
Hello Richard, I will never let my 5ks, 2ks, 1ks go. I do have LED units but they do not match the beauty of light that a large lens fresnel unit puts out. I even use Kino Flo units. Call me a Dinosaur but all lighting is wonderful. Long live Tungsten units!