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Topic: Projector bulb prices
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Bart Smith
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 228
From: Hackney, London
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted July 12, 2008 04:31 AM
Well, I wrote the copy below for the description in the second link given, so I thought I would chime in one this one...
quote:
Not all A1/231 lamps are the same however. Many disco effect lights use the same fitting, but as precise colour temperature and performance is secondary to lamp-life in these applications, many manufacturers are these days producing cheap "long-life" versions of the A1/231 with inferior brightness and a duller, more yellow light output.
The lamps that we sell are superior quality Osram HLX Xenophots. Osram fill the capsules with xenon rather than the more ubiquitous krypton gas used in cheaper lamps. The xenon reduces the rate of tungsten vaporization and allows for a higher filament temperature, resulting in brighter, whiter light. The parabolic reflectors are engineered to much more precise tolerances than many cheaper bulbs, giving the required even light spread that good quality Super 8 projection requires. Xenophot lamps are typically 15-20% brighter than the Krypton-filled versions.
Just for the purposes of comparison, I tried several different types of A1/231 before I wrote that description. Broadely speaking you can divide A1/231 bulbs into 3 types.
1) Cheap unbranded bulbs. These are cheap to buy wholesale, but simply aren't that good when projected. The reflectors are often not that shiny, and they don't look that well engineered. I found that the light output was OK though not great, but sometimes with noticeable hot-spots and colour variations.
2) "Normal" bulbs made by respectable makes - Osram, Philips, GEC etc.- These all tend to be pretty good, and on close inspection tend to be obviously better made. Colour temperature is much more spot on an consistently bright. Of all the makes the Osram HLX/Xenophots are the best IMHO, though they are a bit more expensive wholesale. These bulbs cost something like 60-90% more to buy than the cheap unbranded ones from the suppliers that I use.
3) The long-life "Disco" type. They are no good for cine use, typically very yellow and dim. They may last for 500 Hours or whatever, but I would steer well clear of them as they will provide a very disappointing projected image. They cost wholesale nearly double what a reputable brand bulb costs.
It's common sense really - stick with reputable brands and if you're not sure buy from a specialist seller with experience in Cine products. There are plenty of good suppliers out there.
--------------------
www.bluecinetech.co.uk
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