Cinematographer
From a DoP's perspective, this element is essential for the visual design. It allows me to consistently implement the desired color mood and aesthetic image.
Kino Flo 4 Bank: soft, flicker-free fluorescent fixture with four parallel tubes for even cinema lighting
Overview
The term 4 Bank (also 4Bank) in film lighting refers to a fluorescent tube soft light fixture manufactured by Kino Flo, equipped with four parallel tubes. The number in the name indicates the quantity of tubes or "banks" in the fixture head: a 2Bank has two tubes, a 4Bank has four. The fixture produces soft, cool-running, and flicker-free light, and is among the most widely used daylight/tungsten sources for interviews, set fill, and soft key lights.
Kino Flo offers the 4Bank in various tube lengths, with the 4-foot (approx. 1.2 m) and 2-foot (approx. 0.6 m) variants being common – each with four tubes. The length designation refers to the tube length, not the number of tubes: a shorter 2-foot 4Bank still contains four tubes. The fixture head is operated via a remote ballast, connected to the head by a cable.
Technical Specifications
The following data refers to the classic 4-foot 4Bank with F75/T12 tubes. Values according to manufacturer and dealer information (Kino Flo / Filmtools):
| Feature | Value (4' 4Bank) |
|---|---|
| Number of Tubes | 4 |
| Tube Type | F75 / T12 |
| Dimensions (Head) | approx. 132 x 33 x 9 cm (52 x 13 x 3.5") |
| Weight (with tubes) | approx. 11.5 lb (approx. 5.2 kg) |
| Power Consumption | approx. 2.6 A at 120 V AC |
| Equivalent Light Output | comparable to a 1,000 W softlight |
| Color Temperature | 3200 K (Tungsten) or 5500 K (Daylight, True Match) by swapping tubes |
| Color Rendering (True Match) | CRI 95 |
The shorter 2-foot 4Bank (also with four tubes, approx. 0.6 m tube length) delivers approximately the output of a 500 W softlight with correspondingly lower power consumption. This value refers to the 2-foot *variant of the 4Bank* and should not be confused with a 2Bank (a fixture with only two tubes).
On-Set Usage
The 4Bank is often used as a bounce-like key or fill light due to its broad, soft light output (large source area). Characteristic features include low heat generation and low power consumption, which facilitate its use in confined spaces, on-location settings, and in interiors with standard household electrical systems.
- Select Color Temperature: Switch between tungsten (3200 K) and daylight (5500 K) by swapping tubes.
- Adjust Intensity: The ballast allows tubes to be switched on individually or in stages (4/3/2/1) to adjust brightness.
- Light Shaping: Included barndoors and a louver limit spill and beam angle.
Note: The classic 4Bank operates with fluorescent tubes. Kino Flo also offers LED successors (e.g., Select series) that adopt the 4Bank form factor principle, but these are not referred to when discussing the classic "4 Bank."
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Producer
This professional solution increases production efficiency and reduces post-production requirements. It allows for flexible, rapid adjustments during the shoot.
Gaffer
As a gaffer, this is an indispensable tool in my daily toolkit. It allows me professional light control and quick adjustments on set, which saves time and ensures quality.
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1. Zu welchem Department gehört „4-Bank (Kino Flo)"?
2. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?