Tiffen Lowel Tota-light - Manual (Page 4)

The wide angle coverage area of the broad throw
Tota-light makes it the ideal choice for lighting
a large area evenly.
The Tota-light is an open face (lensless) fixture.
Therefore its capable of throwing sharp shadows. Tota’s
versatilities are easily extended by addition of light control
accessories. For example, adding a Tota-brella instantly
transforms the light into a soft Key (main) light or Fill
(secondary) light.
The Tota is a tungsten-halogen source.
Its color temperature will be in the 3000–3200k° range,
depending on lamp choice. To use Tota in locations where its
output will mix with daylight (5600–6500K°), its color
temperature can be converted by adding various strengths
of day blue gels to the Tota-frame for more realistic
white-balancing in video or film.
Tota is one half of the Tota/Omni lighting system.
As a starting point, when using them together in simple setups,
use Omni-light A for focusing on your subject, and a second
Omni B for fill if desired. Use a Tota-light C to illuminate your
background evenly. Position of the lights and distance to the
subject can be varied for different creative results.
Add diffusion gel in a Tota-frame, or attach an umbrella to
create a softer source.
For soft Key & Fill in a classic interview setup,
use 2 Tota’s with reflective umbrellas A & B from 3/4 angles.
Varying the distance of either light from the subject will vary
the contrast ratio between Key & Fill.
Tota’s ability to light evenly makes it ideal for archival copy
work. See Setup #2 below for further information.
Because the coverage area of the Tota is so wide,
it may be necessary to trim its spill, especially to reduce risk
of shadow in your shot caused by use of overhead boom
microphones. Accessory Tota-shades attach quickly to the
light & allow you to cut output on 2 or 4 sides. Flexi-shafts
& Tota-flags can also be attached for increased light
control options.
The Tota-light can use different wattage lamps,
from 300–750W at 120V. This increases its versatility,
especially when mixing with other fixtures of different max.
wattages. See the lamp chart for more information.
Note: if you need less output, it may be better to use a lower
wattage lamp than to control the light with a dimmer. Dimming
tungsten lamps causes their color temperature to shift warmer.
These are just some starting suggestions.
For an in-depth understanding of the creative decisions
involved in the art of lighting, we suggest Ross Lowell’s
acclaimed book, Matters of Light & Depth. Available from
Lowel and many of our dealers.
Setup #1
To simply raise the ambient level of light in a room,
point the Tota-light at a white wall or ceiling (from a safe
distance of several feet or more). Position the light so it wont
be in your shot.
Setup #2
For archival copy work (Example: a painting hung on a wall)
start by placing Totas A & B on stands at 45° angles to the
wall, on both sides of the camera. Vary the angle to the
wall/camera to reduce unwanted reflection. Large subjects
may require 2 Totas at different heights on each side.
Setup #3
In classic interview setup, use 1 Tota A with diffusion and
Tota-frame as the key light, and another Tota B with reflective
umbrella as the softer fill light. Vary position & angle to
camera for desired creative effect. Note: the output of the Tota
key will be harder/sharper than the Tota fill because the
umbrella addition creates a softer source.
Option: add a third Tota C to evenly light the background.
Tota for the New Pro
Example Setups using Tota-light
Lowel Tota-light Instructions
4
A Camera B A Camera B
C
A Camera B
A Camera B
A Camera
C
B
Extreme drama, contrast,
shadows and lens flare;
or translucent subjects
and rim-light
Transparent
subjects
Copy art
Traditional angle
for many opaque subjects
Dramatic modeling
texture, shadows Subject
Camera:
film, video, still
45 ° 45 °
Glare, ugly shadows,
flat-light look and squinting
Copy art
Lowel equipment and kits are sold through authorized Lowel Dealers and, in some countries,
Authorized Lowel Distributors. Repairs, problems, suggestions, and requests for brochures,
instructions, parts lists may be handled by your authorized Lowel Dealer (Distributor) or directly
with Lowel. Electrical repairs should be made only by Lowel or a qualified electrician.
Lowel Omni-system, Lowel Omni-light, Lowel Tota-system and Tota-light are trademarks of
Lowel-Light Manufacturing, Inc. Lowel Patent Nos.: 3852582, 4187531
version: 5.2 © Lowel-Light Mfg., Inc. 2009
625
90 Oser Avenue, Hauppauge, N.Y. 11788
Call: 800 645-2522 or 631 273-2500
e-mail: [email protected]
www.lowel.com
Problems, info, repairs, etc. Lowel-Light Manufacturing, Inc.
The oversimplified diagram above shows some of the
ramifications of positioning lights for different subject types
& lighting effects. The diagram is only useful as a starting point
for new pros. All subjects & scenes are different and make dif-
ferent demands upon lighting. The height of the
lights & camera, and the subjects angles & reflectivity
must be considered.