On the AbelCine blog, Australian-born, Los Angeles-based filmmaker Rubidium Wu explains the main differences between ARRI‘s three lighting choices: Tungsten, HMI and LED. Each has their own advantages and disadvantages, as well as specific situations in which they work best:
“You might be thinking, if LEDs are so good, why are HMIs still made and used? Well, they are the undisputed output kings. LEDs can’t match the brightness of HMIs, and for the foreseeable future, most DPs and Gaffers will continue to combine then. HMIs are great for recreating the sun, illuminating larger spaces, or where you need a hard, bright light source. They’re also great to bounce or diffuse through large scrims. LEDs like the SkyPanel series, including the huge SkyPanel S360, give cool, color controllable, diffused light right where you want it. You can use LEDs where an HMI and diffusion aren’t practical, like rigged to a car, in a ceiling, off the grid with batteries, and any time you want a light close to talent.”
Watch Wu break it all down in the video below:
Want more How-To’s? Read How Cinematographer Yorick Le Saux Brought Life and Movement to the Look of “Little Women”.
