Century
Precision Optics, USA. (A division of Schneider Optics).
The Airstar company was started in France by Pierre Chabert in 1994. The aim was to provide even lighting over large areas using helium (or air) filled balloons fitted with light fixtures within. Used for events lighting, architectural, cine & television production, construction worksite and even rescue/safety, today, they have a range of products in different sizes and shapes to fit specific requirements of large area lighting. Power ranges from 575kW to 36,000kW with a choice of tungsten or daylight (3200*K to 6000*K) output. Some models incorporate a colour corrector facility to adjust the colour temperature to requirements. A single Solarc 32K is capable of evenly illuminating an area close to ten acres..
Solarc
The round Crystal balloons is air-filled, self-inflating lighting unit that comes with its own stand and air-pump. Models with a range of 500 to 2000 watts 3200*K halogen lamps or 700 to 1200 watts ballast driven daylight HMI lamps, the Crystals are easy to set-up and run. These balloons come in 90, 130 and 160mm diameters for the halogen powered units and 160mm diameter for the 700w, 1000w and 1200w HMI units. The air pressure inside the balloon is constantly monitored and the air-pump automatically fills in air to the required internal pressure. The Crystal is perfect for smaller outdoor areas or indoor locations and each system comes as a kit with its own flight case with all required accessories, perfect for lighting-on-the-go
Crystal
The LightingSensor is an optical light detection unit that uses a hand-controlled switch that senses and synchronizes studio or set lighting according to real-life needs. It is capable of sensing a light source from up to 12 meters at variable angles of sensor pattern and duplicating it thru an ordinary light bulb or a studio light. The trigger level of light sensitivity is adjustable to meet the desired effect. An LFXHub has to be used as the main controller.
A typical scenario on the set or location: An actor turns on a ceiling lamp using a switch on the wall. The LightingSensor optically recognizes that the ceiling lamp has been switched on and activates the set or studio lighting in total sync. Similarly, when the actor turns off wall switch, the LightingSensor switches off the studio lighting - all that without any direct wiring connections between the ceiling light circuit and the studio lighting.
Gaffair
Gaffair is elliptical air-filled balloon that is ideal for fill in cine/TV sets or main in photography studios. These 6000*K daylight luminaries are available in two sizes with two power options - the 110cm diameter 575 watt Gaffair 575 and the 2 meter diameter 1.2kW Gaffair 1200. Both use HMI lamps powered by flicker-free electronic ballasts. With a built-in internal reflector to focus light on the desired area, mounted on stands or hung from above, the lightweight Gaffairs are
Tube
The Tube is what it is - a cylindrical lighting envelope with an optional internal built-in reflector, ideally suited to light-up interiors of large banquet halls and long-room interiors. The Tube is equally at home in outdoor locations, air-filled when pole-mounted or wall-hung or helium filled for midair suspension. With a choice of tungsten (3200*K) or HMI (6000*K with the colour corrector option) 4kW to 24kW lamps, five cylindrical envelope sizes ranging from 4m by 1.4m diameter to 9.5m long by 4m diameter, the Tube is an ideal light source for cine and television production. Typical output is 450 lux at 1 meter for a 6.4kW HMI Tube.
To know more about Airstar's products and accessories, please visit: www.airstar-light.net
Credits: The Last Samurai, Titanic, Pirates of the Caribbean, Da Vinci Code, Fast and the Furious and many more.