GEAR
LIGHTING SPECIAL
PROJECTING A GOOD IMAGE
A powerful LED light with a focused, small COB source like the Forza 720 means that modifiers like projection attachments are back in vogue for filmmakers. Nanlite’s new PJ-BM projection attachment comes in both 19° and 36° versions. We tested the former for a tighter beam, but if you buy and retrofit the optics from the 36°, you can have the best of both worlds. Inside the large and relatively heavy projector is a set of lenses projectors, this is a refined optical system, with an aspherical lens built to minimise colour fringing around the edge of the illumination circle. Claimed transmission figures are 94% uniformity, 0.5% distortion and 95% accuracy. Many lesser projection systems have all sorts of nasty colour fringing, but the Nanlite showed none that we could see. It’s a very clean image. A sturdy aluminium alloy metal body aids accuracy, and a brand-new yoke with both 5/8in baby mount and 1-1/8in junior pin fitments. The unit weighs 4.2kg/9.26lb, with the 19° lens that adjust forward and back, to focus or defocus the image. Compared to Nanlite’s older coming in at 3.8kg/8.38lb. Together, that’s 8kg/17.64lb before mounting it to an LED. We used the Nanlite Forza 720 head, which is another 4.8kg/10.58lb. That’s a lot of weight to put on a stand, and not that easy to manhandle up there. You actually mount the projector on the stand, then the light mounts to it. This keeps things well balanced, as you don’t want the whole lot to topple over. The yoke should be removed from the light, but we left it on to offer another place to hold when mounting and dismounting. The PJ-BM comes inside a custom flight case and includes a set of four B-sized gobos to create patterns and texture on backgrounds – and add layers to images. A gel frame can be easily fixed to the front of the unit. An optional adjustable iris provides easy control over the size of the illumination circle via a focusing mechanism. Just slide the projector lens forward and back. Project a sharp- or soft-edged image circle, then use the four independent shutters around the unit to change the circle into a
“Project a sharp- or soft-edged image circle, then use the four shutters to change the circle into a rectangle”
rectangle, slit, vertical line – or any other four-sided shape. This is ideal for picking out interest on-set. The standard-sized gobos can project things like fake window blinds, foliage or a starburst effect. Hundreds of these are on offer through studio suppliers. Although we show them against a studio flat to demonstrate, they are ideal for adding texture or washes of interesting patterns to a background. The 19° lens projects a tighter, smaller image, so you need to use it several metres away for it to be effective. The wider lens would be more suitable for up-close images. The price for a kit with the 19° attachment is £620/$503. For not too much money, it’s a creative system that will last for years, as it fits all COB lights with a Bowens S-mount – and it’s built to last. nanlite.co.uk
CUTTING CREW The kit comes with a set of four gobos in standard sizes, so buy more to satisfy your every whim! The projector allows you to defocus them, making the pattern look more abstract
36
PRO MOVIEMAKER
Powered by FlippingBook