My Lighting - The Super LTM Quartz Spot Light

Friday, December 9, 2011

 My Lighting: Part I

The Super LTM Quartz Spot Light (100 Watts)

They're also called Spot Lights.....

    I thought that for today's instalment, I'd present to you the super light that I've been using for all of my toy photos. It's called an LTM and the Web address is:

http://www.ltmlighting.com/en/index.html

     The current lighting in today's photography is more high-key  with white background or foundation with lots of light. It's finally starting to revert back to more-disciplined lighting, rather than the "big blast". I adore this lights because you can control the light exactly as you want it. The main unit frame  is made of cast iron. 

1. You must definitely take care because if you drop it, it's very easily broken !

2. These lights are super hot, and therefore it's best to wear winter gloves

(Hey, I live in Canada, eh!) or work gloves. The first time you forget the gloves and touch the light when it's on will be your last time! These lights get very hot!

The light measures  with the barn doors

8" (L) x 4 1/2" (W) x 4 1/2" (H)

200mm x 110 mm x 110 mm

The design looks old and you're right.

However it follows the old expression  -if it works, why fix it!

The LTM of course makes more modenr light units if you're interested.

The 4-way barn door controls the light superbly.

Notice also the extend ""fins" that help disperse the extreme heat from these lights

1. There is a curved mirror that helps concentrate the light inside the light unit.

2. The quartz light is a special high-intensity bulb. 

2.You never touch it with your fingers as your oils will enter the tiny pores of the glass

and potentially can cause the light bulb to shatter!

3. It's a good idea when finished with your lights to open the cover and

disperse the extreme heat faster.

4. Also, when the light is on, you need to be extremely careful when moving the light unit in the studio.

Any accidental bump into a tabletop or wall can cause the bulb to blow out, and you'll need to replace it.

The good news is that the bulbs are replaceable at about $ 9.00 - $ 12.00 + tax (U.S.A. or Canada).

You can also by these lights in Europe at I guess, with 220 Volt connections.

The Carefully-Designed LTM Light

The front lens is called a Fresnel Lens.

It's named after the Frenchman who invented it.

These lenses were specifically used in lighthouses  (pre-electricity and post electricity eras) because of their ability to project light for very long distances. In this way, many ships were saved from disapter on the oceans!

Two photos to show you  more-open and more-closed  barn-door positions.

The small light bulb that produces all of that quantity of light!

You can easily use these lights indoors

if you have to photograph during the day.

Those huge lights that you've seen on movie sets are exactly the same as this "little guy".

The Side View of the LTM

The Front View of the LTM

     You can usually get these lights through your local pro photo store buy special order. B & H (Bell & Howell) in New York carries them, as well as Calumet Photo. You can occasionally find them also on E-Bay. I've only presented the design of these lights for today, and tomorrow, I elaborate on their use, as well as some inexpensive accessories that you can buy or make. These lights do come in 200 and 300 watt units, but if you're photographing small items, then the 100's will do. I use 2 of them, and I think I have both the 100 and 200 watt units.

    They're not inexpensive, but then again, they are made well, they were designed very carefully, and you'll have to look hard and wide for their competition. They also have many accessories if you need to modify your lighting.