GEAR. MODIFIERS
which includes electrical contacts for power and data. Markus Klüsener, Arri senior product manager, explains: “The QLM system transfers up to 48v as well as data. We’re using that for two things – motorised optics like the fresnel lens, and projection optics with motors for focus or zoom, controlled on the fixture body and remotely by DMX, sACN, and so on.” Sheer mechanical concerns over capturing all of the light emitted by an LED array also apply. “The Orbiter has an 80° beam angle natively. With a Bowens mount we would cut off light,” Klüsener notes. As well as power for mechanical zoom and focus control, the recent release of Arri’s operating system for Orbiter, LiOS 2, has features to make changing modifiers quicker and easier. “Each of the optics has the corresponding chip inside – the Orbiter understands what the unit is, so it can modify the light accordingly,” Klüsener explains. “Maybe you’re on set shooting
As Jung notes, the fundamental design of those lenses has also had to change to accommodate the larger emitters of LED lights. “A very good example of that is the Nanlux FL-35 lens, which is the size of a 2.5KW/4KW-sized lens. If you look up a picture of the FL-35 fresnel beside a person, it’s quite large. I see smaller ones – probably about eight inches. Ours is about 14 inches. I took it to a stage with a white cyc and there was nice, top- to-bottom, edge-to-edge coverage and a good, even beam. If you put on a fresnel that’s too small, you lose a lot of light in the wrong places; the beam won’t be as good.” One way to prevent people from assuming that mechanical fit also means there’s optical compatibility is to move away from Bowens mounts to a proprietary system. Nanguang has to an extent, with its miniature FM mount and the larger NL mount for the upscale Evoke – though possibly the highest level of sophistication comes with Arri’s Quick Lighting Mount for Orbiter,
something with open face and then you have your CCT and colour chosen, everything’s great and everyone’s happy. Then, the DP or gaffer says, ‘let’s try a soft light.’ Of course, any such thing is influencing the light output. The feature we have in Orbiter can be activated or deactivated when you switch from, say, open face to soft box – you don’t have to adjust it.” It would be easy to conclude that the market is at risk of some fragmentation, with the limitations of the Bowens mount provoking the development of a selection of mutually incompatible alternatives. But, much as Prolycht’s Mitch Gross made clear, it seems the motivation has not been competitive. Arri’s
“Each of the optics has the corresponding chip inside – the Orbiter understands what the unit is, so it can modify the light”
OWN BRAND Some manufacturers shy away from the Bowens mount in favour of proprietary designs
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