Halogen worklights - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical IF for Nikon

03/18/2005 05:57:02 PM · #1

Are the halogen worklights any good for photography.

There are some really cheap adjustable units on stands available and just wondered if they were Ok.

joebok

Fujifilm X100F

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED

03/18/2005 05:58:30 PM · #2

I have one and I think it works pretty good - they throw a lot of light. But - they are HOT HOT HOT!

fstopopen

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

03/18/2005 05:58:43 PM · #3

I know some people on this site take some good pics with these lights. I have some, and use them from time to time. They are really, really hot.

drake

aznym

Fujifilm X-T3

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR

03/18/2005 06:00:02 PM · #4

I think they are ok for still life. I have used different types of regualar spot lights even. But those lights may not work for people because they get really hot and also people need to stay still.

timmotyka

Nikon D70

03/18/2005 06:02:01 PM · #5

i use them for all my still shots. They are hot as hell!!!!

soup

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/18/2005 06:06:58 PM · #6

i use them if i need shutter speeds over 1/200th - otherwise is use the 550ex flash, and bounce it around off ceilings, and white stuff. i also usually set a custom white balance when using the halogen lights. i didn't have the 550ex for the second shot

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

03/18/2005 06:23:54 PM · #7

I just saw this thread and now I am thinking of getting some halogen work lights - I am just wondering though - does anyone know if they run HOT? ;-)

awpollard

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

03/18/2005 07:10:49 PM · #8

Originally posted by kpriest:

I just saw this thread and now I am thinking of getting some halogen work lights - I am just wondering though - does anyone know if they run HOT? ;-)

You can cook breakfast and shoot photos at the same time...they get hot... I have two 550w Halos and the two on high will warm a small 10'x10' room quickly. Oh yeah and don't touch them after they have been on for 5 minutes.

Andy

Message edited by author 2005-03-18 19:11:07.

Node

Tamron SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical IF for Nikon

03/18/2005 07:31:32 PM · #9

I just bought a pair of 500w on an adjustable stand for $AU19.95. That's great buying even if it is hot.

jmoore

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

03/18/2005 07:35:20 PM · #10

If you are using them to shoot people then it is not such a great idea unless you want really hard light, you need something softer, plus investing in stobe will allow you to move forward with your photography. I think that Halogen worklights are for work not photography, but that is just my opinion

Node

Tamron SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical IF for Nikon

03/18/2005 07:42:05 PM · #11

Originally posted by jmoore:

I'm not looking at using them for people, but surly if I bounce them off walls etc that will soften and difuse the light quite a bit.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/18/2005 07:43:06 PM · #12

if you can't afford strobes - halogens are powerfull enough to make due. if you are creative with their use - they can work. not to say they are the best - but definatlely usable.

Beetle

03/18/2005 08:04:49 PM · #13

I have spent far too much money on my camera...... nothing left for strobes :-(

I agree that they are meant to be worklights, hot as hell, and ever so bright; but if that is all you have, you CAN work around their limitations.
Just experiment with bouncing, angles etc... Or perhaps a couple of frying eggs would tone down the glare a bit :-)

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

03/18/2005 08:06:15 PM · #14

Originally posted by soup:

if you can't afford strobes - halogens are powerfull enough to make due. if you are creative with their use - they can work. not to say they are the best - but definatlely usable.

...and cheap! don't forget cheap! :)

gaurawa

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

03/18/2005 08:25:29 PM · #15

I bought a set of 2 500W halogen lights with stand from walmart for $30 and I think they work great for normal lighting.
A portrait using these lights

jpochard

Canon EOS-40D

03/18/2005 09:01:46 PM · #16

I don't know about others, but I have also found that my eyes sometimes feel almost burned after working around the halogens for awhile. Make sure if you get them, that they have on/off switches so you can turn them off frequently when not in use. I have a double head set that have the switches, and a smaller single head one that you just plug/unplug which is a pain.

gaurawa

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

03/18/2005 09:04:34 PM · #17

Originally posted by jpochard:

Yes you do need to keep turning them off frequently and don't look into them or ask your subject to face it :D I mostly use them reflected off wall/paper

Prof_Fate

03/18/2005 09:15:21 PM · #18

Sears sells a set with 2 heads and 2 power settings on a 7' stand for $20-25, sometimes less on sale.

My only issue is thereis not much light there - you need to use a tripod. After using strobes you don't want to go back!

bledford

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

03/18/2005 09:16:53 PM · #19

These lights get so hot as to really not be a solution for food photography either. My Light on White entry was practically a "bloomin' onion" by the time I got a decent shot. LOL.

Intelli