Walmart Bulbs.. - PhotoCamel

RvA944 · 05-26-2008

Hello All,

I was at Wal-Mart tonight and I noticed a "Daylight 6500K" bulb on the self as I was walking by. 8 bucks got me two bulbs and a 14 bucks more got me two of those silly clip-on utility fixtures. Has anybody tried these bulbs for an accent/hairlight? I'm going to try them out tommorow and see how they work.

Best,

Roger

RvA944 · 05-26-2008

OK curiosity got the better of me...

Here are some test pics I took after I dumped some stuff on my table. Using the bare bulbs I shot using the "flash" setting and the 6300K setting for the temp just to see if I could detect any change. Here are the pics I shot using NEF and converted them to jpg while resizing using ViewNX.

F7.1 - S1/80 - ISO 800

1) Flash
2) 6300K
3) Flash
4) 6300K

00silvergt · 05-26-2008

I used a bunch of the Daylight 6500K Compact florescent bulbs from Wally World. They work fine, I even got some "reflectors" and a lamp holder with a clamp for $9.99, IIRC the bulbs are around the same price, I have a total of three that I use for tabletop photography, until I started using all flash instead.

Here's some that I did those:

RvA944 · 05-26-2008

00silvergt,

Looks good to me.

It just blew my mind, I'm looking at some of the "Camera equipment" manufactures sites last night. They’re getting 125 bucks for the same watt bulb that I spent 8 bucks to get two!!!

I've always been a DIY kind of guy anyway, so I'm going to make myself a 4 light softbox, and see what I can do with it.

Best,

Roger

cman78 · 05-26-2008

I am with you on the DIY softbox. I have been wanting to make one for a while. We have 4 of the shoplights with 100w equivalent bulbs. Here are a couple I have done with them.

00silvergt · 05-27-2008

Yeah, you don't need to spend a bundle, after all it is the results that matter. I use 3 550 EX Speedlites now. Strobes give you more control and freedom, especially when I'm not that far away from the objects.

RvA944 · 05-27-2008

Hey Guys,

Well I did a test shoot yesterday, and I now know this will work but I need more horse power. The one bulb just wasn't strong enough to add to the strobes. Using them by themselves was ok but once again not enough horse power. So now I'm on a mission to make a switchable 100/200/300/400 watt softbox to be used as a hairlight/kicker.

Heading out to Lowes and the fabric store tonight.

the quest begins...

Best,

Roger

00silvergt · 05-27-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by RvA944

Hey Guys,

Well I did a test shoot yesterday, and I now know this will work but I need more horse power. The one bulb just wasn't strong enough to add to the strobes. Using them by themselves was ok but once again not enough horse power. So now I'm on a mission to make a switchable 100/200/300/400 watt softbox to be used as a hairlight/kicker.

Heading out to Lowes and the fabric store tonight.

the quest begins...

Best,

Roger

I got 3 of the big Compact Florescent and use tracing paper to diffuse.

cman78 · 05-27-2008

I took some cotton sheet fabric and sewed elastic on them for slip on covers for the shop lights. I am in the process of getting all the parts to make this - Alex Campagna - It was featured on diyphotography.net I have been wanting to make one for a while.

00silvergt · 05-27-2008

Wow, that looks cool!

RvA944 · 05-27-2008

cman78,

That’s basically what I'm going to build, I'm just going to make mine out of fabric so I can tear it down and transport it easily.

Best,

Roger

cman78 · 05-27-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by RvA944

cman78,

That’s basically what I'm going to build, I'm just going to make mine out of fabric so I can tear it down and transport it easily.

Best,

Roger

You should post a thread and let us see you make it. I am going to once I start mine. Best of luck to you.

RvA944 · 05-27-2008

cman78, that a good idea. Got the fabric and the hardware for the bulbs. Now i just need my switches.

Best,

Roger

Hawk911 · 05-28-2008

good for product/small objects but you won't light a full body shoot with less than a dozen bulbs. Are they the CF type or halogen?

00silvergt · 05-28-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawk911

good for product/small objects but you won't light a full body shoot with less than a dozen bulbs. Are they the CF type or halogen?

Compact Florescent. I agree, not for a full body, even questionable for portraits.

dicksallee · 05-31-2008

I've been using the Walmart 6500 K bulbs for about a year now on still lifes and macro stuff. They are relatively low powered but if doesn't move, who cares. The color balance is good but I think it may be closer to 5500 K. Don't have the instrumentation to really check tho'.

05-26-2008	#1 (permalink)
RvA944 Guanaco Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 309 CamelKarma: 995 Editing OK?: Ask first Gallery \| Blog	Walmart Bulbs.. Hello All, I was at Wal-Mart tonight and I noticed a "Daylight 6500K" bulb on the self as I was walking by. 8 bucks got me two bulbs and a 14 bucks more got me two of those silly clip-on utility fixtures. Has anybody tried these bulbs for an accent/hairlight? I'm going to try them out tommorow and see how they work. Best, Roger __________________ __________________ Members don't see this ad. Register your free account today and become a member on PhotoCamel - Your Friendly Photo Community, gaining access to posting privileges, contests, free plug-ins and other downloads, unlimited online storage for your photographs, reviews, free marketplace listings, and much more.

05-26-2008	#3 (permalink)
00silvergt F1 Camel Location: Fairfield, CA Posts: 3,182 CamelKarma: 813 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: Walmart Bulbs.. I used a bunch of the Daylight 6500K Compact florescent bulbs from Wally World. They work fine, I even got some "reflectors" and a lamp holder with a clamp for $9.99, IIRC the bulbs are around the same price, I have a total of three that I use for tabletop photography, until I started using all flash instead. Here's some that I did those:
	__________________ "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity."- Hanlon's Razor I'm post happy, but Karma starved...please donate some

05-26-2008	#4 (permalink)
RvA944 Guanaco Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 309 CamelKarma: 995 Editing OK?: Ask first Gallery \| Blog	Re: Walmart Bulbs.. 00silvergt, Looks good to me. It just blew my mind, I'm looking at some of the "Camera equipment" manufactures sites last night. They’re getting 125 bucks for the same watt bulb that I spent 8 bucks to get two!!! I've always been a DIY kind of guy anyway, so I'm going to make myself a 4 light softbox, and see what I can do with it. Best, Roger

05-26-2008	#5 (permalink)
cman78 Guanaco Location: St Louis MO Posts: 402 CamelKarma: 651 Editing OK?: Ask first Gallery \| Blog	Re: Walmart Bulbs.. I am with you on the DIY softbox. I have been wanting to make one for a while. We have 4 of the shoplights with 100w equivalent bulbs. Here are a couple I have done with them.

05-27-2008	#6 (permalink)
00silvergt F1 Camel Location: Fairfield, CA Posts: 3,182 CamelKarma: 813 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: Walmart Bulbs.. Yeah, you don't need to spend a bundle, after all it is the results that matter. I use 3 550 EX Speedlites now. Strobes give you more control and freedom, especially when I'm not that far away from the objects.
	__________________ "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity."- Hanlon's Razor I'm post happy, but Karma starved...please donate some

05-27-2008	#7 (permalink)
RvA944 Guanaco Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 309 CamelKarma: 995 Editing OK?: Ask first Gallery \| Blog	Re: Walmart Bulbs.. Hey Guys, Well I did a test shoot yesterday, and I now know this will work but I need more horse power. The one bulb just wasn't strong enough to add to the strobes. Using them by themselves was ok but once again not enough horse power. So now I'm on a mission to make a switchable 100/200/300/400 watt softbox to be used as a hairlight/kicker. Heading out to Lowes and the fabric store tonight. the quest begins... Best, Roger

05-27-2008	#9 (permalink)
cman78 Guanaco Location: St Louis MO Posts: 402 CamelKarma: 651 Editing OK?: Ask first Gallery \| Blog	Re: Walmart Bulbs.. I took some cotton sheet fabric and sewed elastic on them for slip on covers for the shop lights. I am in the process of getting all the parts to make this - Alex Campagna - It was featured on diyphotography.net I have been wanting to make one for a while.

05-27-2008	#10 (permalink)
00silvergt F1 Camel Location: Fairfield, CA Posts: 3,182 CamelKarma: 813 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: Walmart Bulbs.. Wow, that looks cool!
	__________________ "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity."- Hanlon's Razor I'm post happy, but Karma starved...please donate some

05-27-2008	#11 (permalink)
RvA944 Guanaco Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 309 CamelKarma: 995 Editing OK?: Ask first Gallery \| Blog	Re: Walmart Bulbs.. cman78, That’s basically what I'm going to build, I'm just going to make mine out of fabric so I can tear it down and transport it easily. Best, Roger

05-27-2008	#13 (permalink)
RvA944 Guanaco Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 309 CamelKarma: 995 Editing OK?: Ask first Gallery \| Blog	Re: Walmart Bulbs.. cman78, that a good idea. Got the fabric and the hardware for the bulbs. Now i just need my switches. Best, Roger

05-28-2008	#14 (permalink)
Hawk911 Llama Posts: 593 CamelKarma: 499 Gallery \| Blog	Re: Walmart Bulbs.. good for product/small objects but you won't light a full body shoot with less than a dozen bulbs. Are they the CF type or halogen?
Hawk911 Llama Posts: 593 CamelKarma: 499 Gallery \| Blog	__________________ Just call it a Hobbsession; my wife does Gear: Canon 40d, Sigma 30 1.4, 24-200 f2.8, Canon 50 f1.8, Speedlights, and Elinchrom D2 & D4 kit. Editing okay. if you can, tell me what you did on the edit though.

05-31-2008	#16 (permalink)
dicksallee Vicuna Posts: 106 CamelKarma: 34 Gallery \| Blog	Re: Walmart Bulbs.. I've been using the Walmart 6500 K bulbs for about a year now on still lifes and macro stuff. They are relatively low powered but if doesn't move, who cares. The color balance is good but I think it may be closer to 5500 K. Don't have the instrumentation to really check tho'.