Lights

[pasithea]

So... One of the things that can be tricky in stop motion is getting the lighting right. So the other day I had this idea to build some miniature stage lights using white LEDs.

White LEDs are good for this use for 3 reasons:

1. They have a life rating of 10,000hrs +
2. They make very little heat
3. The emit a very consistant type of light meaning you can turn them off and on with no ill effects.

So... I set off on this project. My goal was to make a really useful light for < $10. So... letsee...

• 3 feet of PVC pipe (for many lights) $.89
• A wood dowel $.89
• Toggle switch $.89
• dual AAA battery clip $.89 (Is this a magic number or what?)
• White LED $1.89
• Armature Wire (Have)
• Sculpey (Have)
• Binder clips *ahem* appropriated
• Empty Pill bottle (Have)
• Wire (Have)
• Filters BONUS SCORE! The lighting person at the camera person gave me a book of 100 sample filters which are just the right size of use on my light totally for free! This was gonna be the most expensive part too! O_O

So... Here's a diagram:


I built it last night. It actually works! :) The top clip holds the filter and/or acts as a barn door. The dowel lets me focus the light really well to either a wide area light or a tiny spotlight with < 5 degree throw. The armiture wire lets me pose it however I want and the big clip either works as a base for it to sit on (which can be tied down via the clip handle with a washer and nut)

So. I'm happy! I'm gonna take it to show in class tomorrow and offer to let my instructor use it for his demo that night. I'm betting he'll like it. :)

Comments

[tugrik.livejournal.com]

One thing to be careful with: filtering.

A white LED is only white because it's a blue LED playing flourescent games with a yellowed substrate (and other fiddlybits). So it's not full-spectrum... it's a few distinct bands that combine well into what the eyes see as white. As a result, expect some very funky effects with certain color filters. This is why white-LED's aren't commonly used in film/stage lighting (beyond their brightness in general).

If you want color in a little less of an identity-crisis kind of way, get tricolor LEDs with controllers (the Color Sauce ones and other brands). You can then just dial the color you want. A little pricey, though. :)

[kibbles.livejournal.com]

This was going to be a comment to the post but after reading YOUR comment, I'm counting you in as well.

You (and I mean this plural, was going to be singular before) amaze me. If I had an hour in either of your heads, sharing the space, I think when I returned to my own head, IT WOULD EXPLODE.

:)

[dv-girl.livejournal.com]

Ya. I noticed that. It's still a pretty neat effect and I think there are lots of things I can use the light for. Particularly moonlight effects.

I am currently working on a version 2 lamp with a 12V 20watt mini-halogen. I'll finish it up after dinner (assuming my vision returns. It's a smidge brighter)I'm currently testing it to see if it gets too hot for the PVC. I may switch to a copper tube housing anyhow just for the improved opacity and the ability to soder the clamp and wire armature directly to it.

I also found some itty bitty florescent tubes at Fry's tonight which look like fun for building lighting on a miniature set. :)

[dv-girl.livejournal.com]

Foo. Fails the heat test pretty quickly. I'll haveta do some more re-design. The LED one is still working strong though. So.. I'll fiddle with it more in a couple days.

ACK! It's 1AM!

Copper pipe

[amilori.livejournal.com]

Matthew & I have various bits of different gauge copper piping (some purchased, some scavanged) that we hope to eventually use for landscape projects. If you want to co-opt some so you don't have to pay for it, let us know. I'm out Wednesday afternoon (interviewing!), but should be available most of the rest of the week if you want to swing by or send your other half over. Alternately, if you let us know what size pipe you're looking for, delivery can be arranged.