SMITH-VICTOR 90UL Photographic Light (Photo-Floodlight Set)

Circa Early 1970's to Late 1970's

These were a staple for both budget-conscious professionals and the burgeoning home enthusiast market. This kit comprises of:

• Parabolic Reflector (x3)

• Ball & Socket Mount (x3)

• Spring-Clamp (x1)

• Lamp Socket (w2)

• Diffuser Plate (x1)

Use Cases:

1. Home Video & "Movie Making"

The 1970s saw the introduction of home video recorders (VCRs) and the continuation of 8mm/Super 8 home movies. SMITH-VICTOR specifically engineered lighting like the 90UL to:

• Enhance Early Video Sensors: Early home video cameras were significantly less sensitive than modern ones, requiring massive amounts of "fill" to produce a clear image without excessive grain.

• Mass Market Accessibility: These lights were sold through major retailers like SEARS, making "studio-quality" lighting available to families for birthdays, holidays, and home-recorded events.

2. Standard 3-Point Lighting for Portraits

For professional and student photographers, a set of 90UL lights (often sold in kits with stands) was the standard entry point for mastering the 3-point lighting technique:

• Key Light: Positioned to one side to provide the primary illumination and shape the subject's face.

• Fill Light: Often fitted with the diffuser plate (shown in your image) to soften shadows created by the key light.

• Back/Rim Light: Used to create a "halo" effect around the subject’s hair and shoulders, separating them from dark backgrounds.

3. "Hard Light" Hollywood Glamour

While softboxes were becoming more common, the 1970s still embraced "hard light" styles reminiscent of 1940s-60s Hollywood.

• Texture & Contrast: Without the diffuser, the 90UL produced a sharp, directional beam that emphasized texture and created high-contrast, edgy portraits.

4. Industrial & Product Documentation

Beyond creative arts, these lights were "workhorses" in industrial settings:

• Workshop Utility: Due to their rugged build and clamp-on mounts, they were frequently used in workshops to illuminate technical setups for documentation or insurance photography.

• Small Product Shoots: Their relatively small footprint allowed them to be tucked into tight spaces to highlight labels or specific mechanical details on products.

NOTE: Additional spring-clamps and lamp sockets—as well as compatible light stands and a kit carrying case—are available separately—please inquire.

(H-26cm x W-26cm x D-26.5cm)