Are the Days of Tungsten Lighting Over

With the introduction of the Arri Skypanels, the Digital Sputnik, and many others, is LED lighting the future of filmmaking?

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When it comes to lighting, I’m a big believer in the power of LED. I incorporate LEDs into almost every shoot I do. However, that doesn’t mean I’ve abandoned tungsten fixtures. Despite their drawbacks, tungsten lighting remains an essential tool in the filmmaker’s arsenal.

Image via B&H.

There are certain things that tungsten lights can do that modern LEDs simply can’t match. That’s why I continue to rely on these invaluable tools on set. Let me break down the four reasons why I believe tungsten lighting will remain a fixture on sets for years to come.

Light Quality

The quality of light produced by tungsten sources is simply unmatched by LEDs. Tungsten lights are perfectly color-balanced with a CRI of 100. I also love the level of control that a good fresnel light provides. While there are LED fresnel options available, they lack the same sharpness and smoothness that tungsten lights offer. LED technology still has some catching up to do in this regard. The exceptional quality of fresnel lenses in tungsten fixtures ensures that this type of lighting will endure.

Tungsten lights can also provide a rawness that is hard to replicate, especially with open-face options. This gives cinematographers like myself greater control over shaping the lights for each scene.

Image via Resolution Rentals.

Price

LED lighting of high quality can be quite expensive. On the other hand, tungsten lighting is more affordable. It’s as simple as that. If you’re working on a budget shoot, a tungsten package is a great option as it provides raw and punchy output. While LED prices have become more reasonable over the years, they still have some catching up to do.

I’ve even noticed rental houses offering discounts on their tungsten packages. Additionally, when it comes to purchasing your own set of lights, tungsten sources are usually cheaper than LED sources. It’s always wise to have a good mix of LED and tungsten lights, as each type of lighting serves its own purpose. Different scenes require different approaches.

Image via B&H.

Build Quality

Tungsten light sources are built to last. I’ve used Mole Richardson heads that are older than me, and they’re still going strong. These lights were designed to withstand the rigors of the set, and they continue to deliver exceptional performance.

While tungsten lights may have their downsides, they are still fantastic tools that help filmmakers bring their stories to life. I have no doubt that I’ll be using tungsten lighting for years to come.

Do you exclusively use LEDs now, or do you mix different light sources? Let us know in the comments.

For more information on LEDs and tungsten lighting, check out these articles:

• Understanding Color Rendering Index with LEDs
• The Future of LED Lighting with the ARRI SkyPanel
• This LED Lighting Hack Can Literally Illuminate Mountains
• Lighting for Film & Video: LED vs Tungsten
• Understanding Set Lighting and Color Temperature