ReflecMedia LiteRing and Chromatte Backgrounds
ReflecMedia’s LiteRing paired with their Chromatte backdrop is a portable green screen (or blue screen) solution. Separate lighting for the backdrop is not needed as standard chromakey setups require. The single light source from the LED LiteRing provides all the light required to illuminate the Chromatte background for the chroma key production. The key to Reflectmedia’s design is the Chromatte fabric combined with their LED LiteRing. The Chromatte backdrop consists of tiny glass beads that reflect the green or blue light coming from the LED lights that make up the LiteRing. An adaptor that is fitted to your lens threads on and the LiteRing screws onto the adaptor with a single screw. The LiteRing goes directly around your lens. It’s a simple method, but a difficult one to explain unless you see it in action. Hopefully you can see how effective the ReflecMedia kit works in our video demostration.
So far we’ve found some pros and cons of using this set up.
Pros –
Portability, this entire unit is super portable and even has a pop up backdrop option. The Chromatte coupled with the LiteRing does not require separate lighting for the backdrop, again, less equipment.
Cons –
This design is not made for outdoor shooting. You will not achieve desired results if you want to shoot outside in bring daylight. No use of teleprompter with LiteRing.
We have only had a few hours with the kit, but the guys over at ReflectMedia have done a fantastic job of putting together really great example videos of this product on their site. It’s definitely worth looking into and the videos can be found HERE.
Stay tuned, we have a photography video showing you the true diversity of ReflecMedia’s LiteRing/Chromatte design for not only videographers but also photographers! In the meantime, I’m curious as to what you all think of this product. I love hearing your feedback!
For lighting we used our cheap Softbox kit
2000 WATT Digital Photography Lighting Studio
ReflecMedia Chroma Light Ring Bundle Kit
Hey whats crackin?
Just wanted to know does it matter how close or far you are to chromatte?
I figured since your not lighting your green screen you wont have to worry about spill light and stuff.
You can move closer or further, and as seen at the end of the video, you can adjust the brightness of the LED lights.
Why does the LiteRing have to go on the lens? Couldn’t you mount the LiteRing on a stand and place it behind the talent, in this case Olivia, and still use a prompter?
The LED lights must be directly around the lens to give an even reflection of green or blue light onto the glass beads that make up the Chromatte backdrop in perspective to what image is being recorded. The lens is what focuses the images, therefore the Lightring MUST be surrounding the lens. There is an example of it in the video. I take the Litering off of the lens and the green effect disappears. And hell yes I use a prompter for certain videos! LOL.. when I want to be sure that every piece of information is in one spiel in a timely manner, a prompter is the best bet. My background is in television.. I’m used to scripted, manicured bits of information. I try to mix it up as much as possible though. =)
Hey Olivia, The LiteRing is sweet technology! Ouch on the price though. I recently just set up my muslin green backdrop and need to find the proper lighting. Wondering if I need to use soft box lighting or reflective lighting?
Hi John, you want to use very evenly diffused lighting so that the color is very consistent. Softboxes will help to achieve that. Focus on lighting the background separately.
Hi Olivia,
Seems like the key is a bit fuzzy around the edges. What can you do to make it sharper?
Thanks!
We used Final Cut Pro to key out the subject. We’re working on a more comprehensive video to show a professional workflow using ReflectMedia for photography. After Effects may render cleaner results, we’re testing this all out. Will keep you posted!
I’ve used the ring quite a bit – I work in corporate video and a lot of clients require quick set up/last minute shoots/provide small rooms to film in. One downside I have noticed with it is that I wouldn’t recommend using it if you were filming someone with glasses (which is a high proportion of subjects in corporate film) – the green light reflects off of the glasses and when it comes to keying it out – particularly in live broadcasts through a vision mixer, it’ll just key out parts of their eyes/face where the green shines. I’ve had times when it looks like part of their face is missing and replaced by the background! I’ve also found it sometimes reflects off of ties and silver/shiny bits in shirts. Obviously, it’ll also depend on the angle the camera is to the subject, but in ‘straight down the lens’ type shoots, i’ve found it a bit restrictive. Very annoying! Other than that, it works well, the green is flat and sharp which is the best for keying out. Thanks for the review!
We’ve used this system quite extensively and have come across issues with reflections as well. Glasses, Jewellery, certain clothing, even false teeth have given us many of the issues you describe.
I compare this system to using a built-in flash with a still camera: Quick and easy and in a pinch it gets the job done. But if you have the time, it’s better to do a proper lighting setup with a real greenscreen.
@Mark and @chris: Were you guys able to fix the glasses issue? Having this exact problem right now and the subject of the piece is the CEO = we have to make it work. Desperate, please help if you can!
Just wondering if you do some math and measure the exact location of the light on the lens and then put it on a light stand behind the person speaking
this might be a pain to get spot on but if it works then it would fix Marks problem and also let you use a prompter.
Just thinking out loud.
Alex
[...] Episode 4 of OliviaTech NAB 2012 coverage… ReflecMedia shows me their newest LiteRing We see the IndiSystem Air Jib and JibXL. Mitch from from Planet 5D [...]
my lens is 67 mm theres any adapter for it?
@Maria Yes, you can purchase step-up and step-down rings. Check this OTech VIDEO for an explanation.
Hi what Canon camera did you use to shoot this video and what lens? I really liked the quality.
Thanks
@Michele We used a Canon 5D Mark II for this video and the lens was a Canon 24-105mm.