Last Updated 55 minutes ago
Overview
The Baby Zip hides two quartz lamps from direct view and sends their light out from a diffuse reflector. It produces a broad soft field in a shallower package than a hard light bounced off a separate board.
Key specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer and model | Mole-Richardson 2,000W Baby Zip Softlite |
| Source or rated power | Type 2591, 2,000 W tungsten softlight |
| Optics, colour or format | Two switched 1,000 W lamps |
| Head or system detail | Indirect diffuse reflector |
| Wire scrims | 18¼ × 8¼ in. Single 25979S, double 25979D |
| Front accessories | 25930 diffuser frame or 2595 egg crate |
| Lamp base | Recessed single contact, double-ended |
Replacement lamps
Each row gives the rating and finish of one globe. Two 1,000 W FCM or FHM globes give the head its full 2 kW load.
| Code | Power | Voltage | Lamp colour | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FCM | 1,000 W | 120 V | 3,200 K | Clear |
| FHM | 1,000 W | 120 V | 3,200 K | Frosted |
| EME | 800 W | 240 V | 3,200 K | Clear |
| EMF | 800 W | 240 V | 3,200 K | Frosted |
| EJG | 750 W | 120 V | 3,200 K | Clear |
| EMD | 750 W | 120 V | 3,200 K | Frosted |
| FDF | 500 W | 120 V | 3,200 K | Clear |
| FDN | 500 W | 120 V | 3,200 K | Frosted |
| FCL | 500 W | 120 V | 3,000 K | Clear |
| FCZ | 500 W | 120 V | 3,000 K | Frosted |
| EHM | 300 W | 120 V | 2,950 K | Clear |
| EHZ | 300 W | 120 V | 2,950 K | Frosted |
See the FCM replacement lamp in the lamp lookup.
Strengths and limitations
- Two independent lamps give a fast step change in level while retaining filament colour.
- The broad indirect field is difficult to cut into a narrow shaft.
Working with the 2,000W Baby Zip Softlite
Place it just over camera for fill or beside a doorway as a warm source. Switch lamps individually when you need a coarse change in level without dimming the filaments.
Output and photometrics
Mole identifies the FCM as a 1,000 W, 120 V globe. Its Type 2591 chart does not state how many lamps were switched on. The calculator uses the readings printed for this head. Field dimensions are measured at roughly half the centre intensity. Original Type 2591 sheet.
| Throw | Centre (fc) | Field width | Field height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ft | 200 | 5.3 ft | 5.3 ft |
| 6 ft | 90 | 11.6 ft | 10.3 ft |
| 8 ft | 50 | 17.4 ft | 15.5 ft |
| 10 ft | 30 | 23.2 ft | 20.7 ft |
| 12 ft | 20 | 29 ft | 25.8 ft |
Photometric & exposure calculator
Estimate centre-beam illumination and the corresponding camera aperture from this fixture’s published measurements.
Estimated output
Select a configuration to calculate.
Manufacturer readings are for the stated optic, colour setting and full output, measured at the beam centre. Values between measured distances are interpolated. Point-source values outside those distances are approximate inverse-square estimates; large sources cannot be reliably extrapolated and are limited to their measured range. Exposure uses frame rate, shutter angle, ISO and the selected incident-meter calibration. Only the optics and diffusion explicitly listed in the measurement are included; additional modifiers, bounce, beam edges, ambient light, ND filters and camera exposure-index differences are not accounted for. Confirm critical exposures on set with a meter. Photometric source
Power and controls
The two 1 kW lamps can be switched independently. Switching one off changes level without the warming effect of dimming both filaments.
Optics and mounting
The reflector produces the apparent source. A damaged or unevenly discoloured surface can show up as a patch in reflections.
Comparable fixture
For a folding tungsten soft source, see Lowel Rifa eX 55 (Tungsten).
The 1 kW Baby Softlite uses an 8-inch-square aperture. The 4 kW Baby Softlite has four lamp switches and an 18-inch-square aperture.
Field coverage and further reading
Rental and used-fixture checks
Check both circuits, lamps, screen and the condition of the reflector. Verify the type plate before using a diagram or ordering parts for another Baby Zip version.