HDR - Light Probe

[MasterZap]

http://www.mainstreetseedandsupply.com/gazingglobe.htm

Get the stainless steel ones.

/Z

[meccabilly]

Can u get colourless ones?

Cheers! :)

[meccabilly]

Ok, I looked at that site and they dont do colourless ones - only coloured - the nearest was 'sliver' but it is not 100% reflective (like chrome).

Anyone know anywhere else to get a Lightprobe? Is there not a company that manufactures them?

[meccabilly]

Hey Guys,

Last time i post about this... didn't want it falling into the abyss without one last try.

Anyone know any websites or companies that manufacture light probes for HDR? Does anyone know where FX companies/Film production compaines get them? Are they custom made?

Cheers

[MinaRagaie]

Didn't really shoot an HDR myself before...
But I think U can use some Christmass ornaments...
try to find one as colourless as possiable, as reflective as possiable...

Don't Know much than that about it...
Hope this helps...

Mina

[meccabilly]

Ive been looking around, but unfortunatley April isnt the best time for Christmas ornaments...

There must be a company that makes the 'official' ones used on film sets tho... or are they custom made by those that use it? Its sorta drivin me crazy... My google-foo is weak on this one also...

[MinaRagaie]

There must be a company that makes the 'official' ones used on film sets tho...

Haven't heared of any... I Don't really know if there's even "official" ones...
Would B intrested to know if ther's any!!!

[JeffPatton]

Keep checking Ebay, here's two that I found listed now:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=unknown&sbrftog=1&catref=C6&from=R10&satitle=chrome+gazing&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=ZIP%2FPostal&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp=

Then here are two other links that I had bookmarked (check out some of the massive chrome spheres they have):
http://www.complast.com/balls/METAL/PAGE2.HTM
and
http://www.waterfountains.com/fountain.html?gclid=CODihLznsIsCFQI2ZQoduXIY2Q

I purchased a 12" chrome plated steel sphere from some home & garden company in Georgia (USA) a few years ago (evidently I didn't bookmark the site, sorry). These chrome spheres work well for lighting probes, but if you're considering using them to also capture reflections, you may be disappointed like I was.

I've found the typical chrome/steel garden gazing sphere was just too "hazy" with scratches/imperfections to be used for gathering reflections. I ended up buying several packages of chrome Christmas ornaments, the largest set I could find locally was about 6"...but that size works ok. Doubt I'd ever find a 12" christmas ornament! The best part is that they have no scratches/haze, they are like perfect mirrors and work well for reflections too.

I've heard of some people using giant ball bearings because they must be machined to near perfection. However, if I recall they are very expensive for larger sizes (like 8"-12").

[meccabilly]

Cheers Jeff!

I will bid on one of those or perhaps look into pricing of spheres on the other links u posted...

If anyone knows how the pros go about getting thier specialist ones I would love to find out.

[Shaun_michael]

I managed to hunt these down in this thread in the UK, so if you dont get what you're after in the States...

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=5&t=460560

Cheers,
SHaun

[meccabilly]

This is where i am ordering from (they are pretty cheap and UK based).


http://www.designs-in-stainless.co.uk/spheres.htm


They mention you may be able to see the seams in the ball, but from the photos i think they will do a decent job... I will run some tests and see what happens :)

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