Lightbridge, the Austria-based lighting equipment manufacturer, has launched its new “Lightbridge Touchproof” reflector technology, addressing a longstanding issue with fingerprints and scratches on professional film lighting equipment. I talked to its founder Jakob Ballinger about the new product lineup. Founded approximately eight years ago by Jakob Ballinger and his team, Lightbridge emerged directly from practical on-set experience. Before becoming manufacturers, Ballinger worked as a gaffer alongside cinematographer Christian Berger, who sought to create more natural-looking light by developing precision reflectors. Their goal was to keep film sets clear while achieving natural lighting by positioning lights farther away and using reflectors closer to the subject. The surface of Lightbridge Touchproof reflectors can be much more easily cleaned than before. Image credit: Lightbridge The problem Lightbridge Touchproof solves The original Lightbridge reflectors offered five precise levels of diffusion, from mirror-like reflection to super white, with minimal light loss (only 3%) and 100% color consistency. What began as tools for their own productions eventually evolved into products shared with the wider filmmaking community. Despite their quality, the first-generation Lightbridge reflectors suffered from a persistent issue: fingerprints and small scratches that became permanent if not cleaned immediately. The acidity in skin oils would leave marks that, if left for three months or longer, could not be removed. This posed a significant problem for rental houses and professionals who wanted their equipment to maintain its appearance. As Ballinger explained, “People weren’t treating it the same way that we do… the problem for rentals and for...
Published By: CineD - 5 days ago