Battle: Arri 300 vs Dedolight 150
In this article we will compare a Arri 300w Fresnel to Dedolight 150w.
Please note that at PAT Rentals, we carry both lights.
Quick verdict: This is an unfair comparison because both lights are just so different. Arri 300 is a proven workhorse of the industry but Dedolight 150 is a wonderful unit that's both powerful and incredibly versatile.
One can't imagine a film set without seeing the blue hue of the Arri lights. The Arri 300 unit is small, light, portable, simple to use and extremely reliable. Its Fresnel lens provide superb level of control between Flood and Spot position allowing for quick light manipulation. The beam can be further shaped with the included barndors.
Dedolight 150w, on the other hand, is a wonder of engineering. The unit feels expensive in one's hands. It comes with integrated dimmer that lets you easily go from 100% to almost 0. The built-in lens allows for extreme level of precision of light beam.
Though the barndoors allow for beam control, it's the lens projector attachment (pictured above) that shows the unit's power and versatility but also its dramatic difference from other light units. With this lens projector one gains unprecedented level of control. One can use gobos, shutters or irises to dictate exactly where light shall fall. (Do you want to illuminate only top of a match? This light can do it!) This level of precision makes Dedolights favorite among table tops filmakers and photographers.
Even in "raw" wide mode, tiny 150w bulb of Dedolight outputs more light than 300w bulb of Arri.
The intensity of Dedolight's output increases when spotting the unit.
With lens adapter, the beam is even more controlled - now you can sharpen or soften the beam's edges.
The spot adapter comes with 85mm lens as a standard but it can be swapped to 150mm to increase beam's intensity or to 60mm to widen its spread.
Though Arri light has its own refinement, Dedolight is on its own level. Though you wouldn't use Dedolight in all situations where a simple Arri 300 would suffice, in specialty situations Dedolight 150w is simply unmatched.
Hopefully you found this comparison useful. You can find both lights for rent at PAT Rentals (www.patrentals.com).