ETC Source Four Leko: A Cinematographer Must Have Light!

Learn how to use the ETC Source Four Leko Light and take a tour of the source 4 and it's amazing lighting features. The source four is commonly used in stage lighting but it also pops up in hollywood all of the time as a must have lighting tool.
Cinematographers, DP's, videographers, and KZbinrs everywhere can benefit from adding the ETC Source Four light to their lighting kit.
There are multiple lens types for this tungsten 3200 Kelvin ellipsoid light. You can get a 10 degree lens, 26 degree lens, 36 degree lens, 50 degree lens and many accessories to further shape the light like scrims, gel frames, an even an adjustable iris. One of the best features is the ability to use Gobos with the Source 4. Gobos come in thousands of different shapes, with venetian blinds being the most popular. #sourcefour #lighting #cinematography
If you have any questions about how to use the Source Four, be sure to leave a comment below!
GET THE SOURCE FOUR HERE:
ETC Source 4 geni.us/SourceFour
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===GEAR USED IN MY VIDEOS==
__CAMERAS__
Sony a7s geni.us/SonyA7s
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DJI Phantom 3 Pro geni.us/Phantom3Pro
__LENSES__
Rokinon 14mm geni.us/Rokinon14
Rokinon 50mm geni.us/Rokinon50mm
Sony 35mm geni.us/JM4Wvj
Tamron 24-70mm geni.us/TamronZoom
Tamron 70-200mm geni.us/Tamron200
Sigma 16mm geni.us/Sigma16
__CANON TO SONY E MOUNT__
Cheapest Adapter geni.us/CheapAdapter
Auto-Focus Adapter geni.us/GreatAdapter
Variable ND Adapter geni.us/NDAdapter
__MONITORS__
SmallHD Focus Monitor geni.us/Focus
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__MICS__
Rode Videomic Pro geni.us/RodeShotgun
Rodelink Wireless Lavs geni.us/WirelessLav
Rode NT1A geni.us/CondenserMic
__LIGHTS__
Portable LED geni.us/PortableLED
LED Light Panels geni.us/PaUpW1
ETC Source 4 geni.us/SourceFour
Popup Diffuser geni.us/Diffuser
C-Stand geni.us/Cstand
5-in-1 Reflector geni.us/Reflector
__STABILIZATION__
Zhiyun Crane V2 geni.us/CraneV2
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[@charlotteice5704]

as someone who works with these (and mostly other types of ellipsoidals) in a theater, it's kinda interesting to me how they're seen as big, heavy and powerhungry in film, because I find them to be rather light and small, and compared to the 1 or 2 kW fixtures we usually use, these are not power hungry at all. When I picked one up, I was surprised by how light it was and by the fact that I could actually carry one in each hand - our usual fixtures are about twice the weight. Anyways, there's also the Source Four Mini, which is really small, and the Source Four Jr, which is not quite as small, but still smaller than the normal Source Four, that might be good to look at for anyone looking for similar functionality in a smaller form factor. Also, for anyone looking to dim this version (and not just the LED version), the typical way of doing this for such fixtures is to plug them into a dimmer pack which you control from your lighting console via DMX. However, there are also single-channel dimmers with a fader included in the unit.

[@asilva_media]

lol same

[@adebowaleadesuyi1347]

That was awesome! couldnt find much info on the net about this light for filmmakers. thanks

[@chadwin]

Adebowale Adesuyi Glad you liked it man. It really is an incredible light that every filmmaker should be familiar with!

[@stefanofranzoni2531]

Wow, that was super informative and cool video ! gretin' from argentina

[@chadwin]

Hey thanks! I hope it helps with your own lighting. 💡

[@SurajBoddu]

Thanks for this!

[@chadwin]

TechDevoted heck yeah, thanks for watching man!!

[@LumosbyDMLite]

Wow interesting video !

[@chadwin]

Lumos by DMLite thanks! Looks like your channel is ALL about lights.

[@andrewdaystudio]

Where can I get the scrims, gobos and other accessories to put in the lens/body? Thanks for the video!

[@azlanarainkhan4549]

Very good I like it

[@chadwin]

Azlan rain Khan thanks!!

[@videocasetteTV]

awesome 👍, in terms of electricity consumption does etc consume more than Redhead fixtures because I think if it is safe to plug redhead, it is safe to use etc

[@mktz46]

Hey! is your white Leko a high def lens (edlt)? I’m getting a lot more fringing on my edges than I see in yours

[@vontd9]

Source fours are much quicker to shape on faster moving sets. Any other light would need a decent amount of flags before being decently shaped.

[@chadwin]

Spot on! I love how customizable it is all within the unit without adding flags and other light modifiers. Very versatile.

[@sondp]

what lens size is the one on the left?

[@jeramybearamy8539]

There's also a 90 degree lens. I have two brand new in box in my closet. I was just researching softboxes for a small video setup and realized those are just sitting in their boxes. If they're a viable option then great. Otherwise I'm sellin' them.

[@jacksonprudhomme]

how Much?

[@crystalraeproductions1505]

What are the poles called that the source 4 are sitting on? Tripods? How do you mount them?

[@chadwin]

Crystal Rae they’re call C-Stands. They’re typically used for lights and other grip needs. You can find the affordable ones I have here geni.us/Cstand

[@Madeiromusic]

Where do you buy this light? And where do. You get tje gobos

[@chadwin]

You can purchase the light brand new from B&H but it's pretty expensive. I recommend looking for them on Ebay or Craisgslist, you can usually find them there pretty cheap. The GOBO's you can also buy from B&H.

[@NextLevelProds]

All the ones I see have that lame C-clamp for a pipe in a studio/stage setup. What did you do to adapt to baby pin!

[@chadwin]

Yeah, mine all came with the old c-clamp as well. You need this baby pin to yoke adapter! geni.us/YokeAdapter Works perfectly.

[@NextLevelProds]

Chadwin Smith that’s great news..thanks!

[@user-gj5cx9ik5m]

One thing - converting to daylight (5500-5600k) from tungsten typically results in a ton of intensity loss. I can't remember off hand but i think it's greater than a stop, so at least 50% of the output.

[@chadwin]

Yeah, I'm not sure the exact amount of light you lose when converting to daylight, but you're right-it's actually more than 1 stop for sure.

[@nathanbarrick]

CTB cuts out 2 stops of light so 75% of the output. However, you can make a Jo-leko with an HMI bulb and get even more out of this light.

[@cinemabandits]

What size do you recommend for music videos?? Thanks

[@chadwin]

that all depends on how you're using it in the music video. but a 26 or 36 degree lens are pretty good standards to go with.

[@cinemabandits]

@@chadwin makes sense I was thinking 26 but most of the use would be for a moving bean in the background

[@ZFISHTANK]

You should add to this video that you can also rotate the barrel, i.e. rotate a gobo without dealing with the burning hot template/ template holder

[@chadwin]

ZFISHTANK you’re 100% correct! You can rotate the barrel instead. Idk why I totally failed to mention that....

[@danpark8793]

Compared with a traditional tungsten light, how strong is Leko 750W (in terms of intensity)?

[@chadwin]

Dan Park hmm.....the easiest way to answer that is that the 750 Leko is just as bright as an Arri 750, but it’s just more directional and spotted in

[@danpark8793]

@@chadwin Thank you!

[@teatrolites3446]

They actually sell 5-90 degree lenses

[@P4bloSolis]

does this light does flicker on slowmotion video?

[@chadwin]

no. at least I've never had it flicker in any of my footage.

[@ryanhoffa1571]

It won’t flicker because it is an incandescent fixture.

[@RyanRandom]

4k camera with bad lighting or hd camera with good lighting?

[@aidanc5776]

hd with good

[@estebanhumet1471]

Hi there, How can I mount the mini source four into an standard tripod? Thank you!!

[@chadwin]

Yes, you should be able to. It has a similar yoke and hole where you could put an adapter for a baby pin receiver. then you could mount a baby pin on top of a tripod. What makes you want to put it on a tripod as opposed to a light stand though?

[@estebanhumet1471]

@@chadwin Hhahaha! Did I write tripod! I meant a light stand!

[@estebanhumet1471]

I guess my question is where can I get that adaptor? Thanks

[@chadwin]

no problem! this is basically what you need. www.adorama.com/mt429492.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwm9yJBhDTARIsABKIcGbdwp73XKFHIBjDyzEXCSNUxs_hlvmp-uISuZsGapsQUS-KXlV2yFEaAgDHEALw_wcB&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm9yJBhDTARIsABKIcGbdwp73XKFHIBjDyzEXCSNUxs_hlvmp-uISuZsGapsQUS-KXlV2yFEaAgDHEALw_wcB&

[@estebanhumet1471]

@@chadwin Thanks a lot!! keep uploading great content Lord Smith

[@cinemabandits]

Are you using a baby pin Mathews to hold your s4 to you c-stand?

[@chadwin]

Yeah, it’s a baby pin adapter that one side bolts onto the light and the other side can sit on top of the c-stand

[@cinemabandits]

@@chadwin awesome. I’ll pick one up. Just got my source 4 yesterday. Loving it already but the heat off that thing is nuts

[@chadwin]

@@cinemabandits oh yeah, they're incredible lights but get SO HOT! I wish I could afford one of the LED versions. We use them at the studio I work at and they put off such minimal heat.

[@taylorgoodin3513]

What degrees is the one you’re using ?

[@chadwin]

Taylor Goodin I believe they’re both 35 degree lenses

[@samkphx]

Etc makes an led version however it's really expensive

[@chadwin]

Yep! They do and they're a few thousand bucks. So nice though! Maybe someday...

[@vladimirkraynov2914]

Sam, look up ETC Source 4WRD (-:

[@ryanhoffa1571]

@@chadwin The SourceFour LED hasn’t had an update in awhile. Check out the Martin ELP CL as a fantastic alternative. I think it is better than what ETC is offering right now. Hit me up if you want a demo video, I have all major LED ellipsoidals at the shop.

[@eqrunner]

Lamp, not bulb; Shutter not blades; Gobo Holder not pattern holder; Not only tungsten but ETC also has the LED Luster line; A lot of power? 375w is 3.1 amps. 575w is only 4.8 amps. Where as a 750w lamp will use 6 amps.

[@chadwin]

eqrunner great points and relevant information! Thank you!

[@harrisonfreni8122]

Agree with lamp comment, but shutters and blades are interchangeable; film uses blades, theatre uses shutters, and same with gobo/pattern/template. I usually refer to gobos as templates, it's just where you're from, and who you've worked with.

[@chadwin]

Harrison Freni see that’s awesome, I didn’t even realize that people referred to them differently between film and theatre! It’s all perspective and semantics really.

[@tuck1726]

Comparative to LED lights 6 Amps is a LOT.

[@bluefilmsltd]

So they are basically fresnel lights???

[@chadwin]

Umm kinda but not really. They’re ellipsoidal lights, which basically means they use special glass shape to really spotlight the light beam and they have light shaping capabilities with the built in shutters. Where fresnels can only be spotted and shaped by barn doors so much

[@bluefilmsltd]

@@chadwin I see. Thank you.

[@GeckTech]

Actually they can go all the way down to 5 degrees, but they are quite rare to see.

[@chadwin]

Geck Tech awesome, good to know! 5 degrees is very narrow.

[@GeckTech]

@@chadwin Extremely narrow, you never see them because if they are being used they will usually be right at the back of the auditorium or far away from the stage. But if you ever see one you will recognize it instantly with its massive barrel.

[@NeilFH]

the new ETC LED S4 Elipsoidal would render this info out of date somewhat. The LED is far more versatile than the old tungsten fixtures

[@chadwin]

I use the new LED S4’s on a daily basis at the studio I work at. All the of the principals actually remain the same. Biggest difference is now I can dim the lights and make them any color I want since they’re RGB. I wish I could afford my own at home, so for now I’ll stick to my tungsten ones .

[@CaseyPreston]

@@chadwin How is the fan noise on the newer LED's? Can they be used in dialogue applications? Also, do they flicker on video? Finally, does the output compare to a 750W or 575W? It is weird how hard it is to find info online about Source 4's LED's for video.

[@chadwin]

@@CaseyPreston any fan noise is negligible and not picked up my mics. Typically with ellipsoidal lights, they’re far from the talent anyway just with the way that they cast. They don’t flicker at all! Yes, they’re just as powerful as at least the 575 watt lights!

[@ProfessaJ]

its amazing how everyone on youtube thinks aputure invented this

[@jeramybearamy8539]

haha! Lighting Director here. I'm used to Martin, ETC, Clay Paky, Robe, Vari-lite, etc. I just learned about Aputure yesterday ;)

[@jonothandoeser]

I don't understand why you don't mention that these come in LED versions too.

[@chadwin]

Yeah, they do come in LED versions which are amazing, but also very expensive and sadly I don't own any to talk about.

[@jonothandoeser]

WHAT?!? They don't look that expensive to me!! www.hosenlighting.com/product/200w-2in1-cool-warm-white-amber-led-profile-spot-light/

[@chadwin]

Jonothan Doezer those aren’t ETC’s. Totally different brand. www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1054545-REG/etc_7461a1051_source_four_led_series.html?ap=y&c3api=1876%2C91442436482%2C%2C&gclid=CjwKCAjw8r_XBRBkEiwAjWGLlK-HGG0Afmu72tIFxivQlNIEtG4Jh1vPZFrdQLjOUk04vW_nY0UOFhoCYW4QAvD_BwE&smp=n

[@jonothandoeser]

Yes, but they work :-)

[@NoTraceOfSense]

@@jonothandoeser No powerCON output? Whack. 3-pin DMX instead of 5-pin DMX? Whack.

[@joemurgolo4917]

"its really big, bulky and heavy" its a stage light.

[@chadwin]

Joe Murgolo you’re 💯 correct! It’s big, bulky, and a stage light AND I love it. It’s powerful, it’s useful, it’s easy to control and it’s actually an industry standard on many film sets.

[@joemurgolo4917]

Chadwin Smith oh yeah I agree I’m just saying It was design more for the theatre side but it works

[@StuHaightVideo]

I hate lekos. Theyre huge. Take up space in my minivan. And I only have them because DPs ask for them (when I'm gaffing) the cost to weight ratio is terrible. Even when I propose a 300d mk ii and spotlight they'll still be cheap and go with the tungsten because they'll also want 4 of them when they dont want to pay for the led version and I dont want to loose the job. Got tired of going to the rental house so I just bought four 750w lekos (3 36deg and 1 19deg) which has saved my trips but I hate them lol.

[@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath]

I hate the term Leko. It is a brand name of an inferior ellipsoidal light product that I don’t think is even sold anymore. The correct term is ellipsoidal, not Leko. ETC SourceFour lights are vastly better technology than Lekos and other than being ellipsoidal lights have nothing else in common. Yes the LED versions are ridiculously expensive.

[@jacobchristensen4543]

Thank you!! I hate that people keep calling them lekos.

[@ligamalniece5155]

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