Re: Fluorescent light solution

In a perfect world and if these lamps aren't emitting other colors like green or magenta then you are right. A 5000K lamp shot with a 5600K filter will look slightly warm - in video though it may be not be noticable unless you are comparing it with a 5600k light source in the same shot.

If you choose the 3000k lamp then you would set your filter on 3200k.

Doing this will mean that you do not have to white balance if you leave your camera on pre-set. If you want the 5000k lamp to look "even" then you can white balance and take the slight warmth out of it. Personally, the slight warmth would be much much preferred over a white balanced shot.

I've seen several low budget productions shot with these with great success. They are fragile and tough to mount and aim BUT they are cheap and should work. For the price and since it is Home Depot - buy one and shoot something with it. If you are unhappy - carry it back - its a no brainer.

Call Modern Studio Equip, or Matthews, or FilmTools or anybody and buy a Baby Pate to attach to the back of the fixture. Then all you'll need is a good C-stand and a couple of sandbags and you've got yourself a useful light (well sort of).