VFX-HDRI Visual Sphere
12cm VFX-HDRI Photographic sphere
A 12cm hollow stainless steel sphere designed for VFX and HDRI photography, this piece reflects the full environment around it with a mirror finish, making it ideal for capturing accurate lighting and reflections in visual effects work. The kit includes one chrome-finished sphere and one grey-finished sphere, both made from stainless steel, and is built for use with camera rigs and tripods. The listed size is 12cm, and like almost every item in this catalogue, it is made to custom size on request. It is intended for use in controlled studio environments where precise lighting capture is required.
| Size | 12 cm, or custom size |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Surface | Chrome, grey |
| Mounting | 1/4 inch UNC, 3/8 UNC on request |
| Packing | Waterproof, shock-proof and compression-proof ball bag |
| Kit Weight | 4.5 kg |
Dimensions and materials outside this table are confirmed against your duty sheet before quotation.
Key Benefits
What This Nozzle Gives You
- Mirror chrome finish captures full environmental lighting for accurate HDRI mapping
- Grey finish provides neutral reflection for controlled lighting without highlights
- Hollow stainless steel construction keeps weight low while maintaining rigidity
- Adjustable heads allow precise positioning of each sphere relative to the camera
- 1/4 inch UNC tripod mount standard, with 3/8 UNC available on request
- Waterproof, shock-proof and compression-proof bag protects the spheres during transport
Application Scenarios
Where It Is Installed
- A film VFX studio capturing HDRI lighting data for a digital environment
- A product photography studio needing consistent reflective surfaces for render passes
- A visual effects team setting up a light probe for a virtual set
- A motion capture stage using the spheres to record accurate lighting conditions
- A pre-visualization team testing lighting setups before shooting
Who It Is For
Buyers Who Specify It
- Film and VFX production teams sourcing reference spheres for lighting capture
- Product photographers requiring consistent reflective props for e-commerce
- Visual effects artists building digital environments with real-world lighting data
- Studio owners setting up a portable HDRI capture rig
- Photography studios integrating reflective spheres into their lighting workflow
Problems It Solves
What It Fixes on the Line
- A studio that needs a reliable, repeatable light probe but lacks a custom-built solution
- A VFX team that must capture accurate lighting from a real environment but has no reference sphere
- A photographer who needs a neutral grey sphere to avoid unwanted reflections in product shots
- A setup that requires two spheres with different finishes but no way to mount them precisely
- A team that needs a portable, durable sphere kit that survives transport between shoots
Technical Features
How It Is Built
- Hollow stainless steel sphere formed from two hemispheres, welded and polished
- Chrome and grey finishes applied to the same shell, ensuring consistent surface quality
- Adjustable heads allow independent positioning of each sphere relative to the camera
- 1/4 inch UNC tripod mount standard, with 3/8 UNC available on request
- External dimensions of the kit: 45 cm x 36 cm x 20 cm, designed for compact storage
- Waterproof, shock-proof and compression-proof ball bag included for transport
Materials
Body Materials and Where Each One Suits
- Stainless steel body for durability and consistent surface finish
- Chrome finish for high reflectivity and accurate lighting capture
- Grey finish for neutral reflection, avoiding highlights in sensitive shots
- 1/4 inch UNC thread standard for tripod compatibility
- 3/8 UNC thread available on request for larger camera rigs
- Durable bag material designed to withstand transport and storage
Manufacturing Process
How the Part Is Made
- Scheme design against the intended use: studio lighting, VFX capture, or product photography
- Small model created to test positioning and spacing between spheres
- Plaster mould taken from the model to form the hemispheres
- Stainless steel plate forged to the mould and ground repeatedly to shape the shell
- Surface polished to chrome or painted grey, depending on the required reflectivity
- Welded assembly and mounting heads fitted, with final inspection before packing
Quality Control
What Is Checked Before It Ships
- The company states it runs its own professional QC team
- Weld between hemispheres is ground and polished to be invisible on the finished surface
- Repeated grinding ensures a smooth, consistent finish before polishing
- Each sphere is tested for surface uniformity and reflectivity before packing
- Bag tested for waterproof, shock-proof and compression-proof performance
Customization
What Can Be Changed to Suit You
- Chrome or grey finish available, or other finishes on request
- 1/4 inch UNC or 3/8 UNC mounting thread, depending on rig size
- Order based on a photograph or drawing from the customer
- Base and fixing detail designed around the intended use case
Comparison
How It Compares With the Alternatives
| A foam or plastic reference sphere | Foam or plastic is lighter and cheaper but deforms under pressure and cannot be polished to a true mirror; stainless holds shape and finish over repeated use |
|---|---|
| A solid metal sphere | Solid construction increases weight and cost; hollow shell keeps the kit portable while maintaining structural integrity |
| A painted steel sphere | Painted surfaces wear and chip; stainless with chrome or grey finish maintains reflectivity and durability over time |
| A glass sphere | Glass is fragile and breaks under impact; stainless is shock-proof and survives transport and studio use |
Use Guide
Fitting and Running It
- Set the spheres at a distance and angle that captures the full lighting environment
- Use the adjustable heads to fine-tune position without re-mounting
- Choose chrome for maximum reflection or grey for neutral lighting capture
- Mount on a tripod with 1/4 inch UNC thread; request 3/8 UNC if using a larger rig
- Store in the included bag to protect the polished surface from scratches
- Plan for production time based on the custom size and finish required
Questions Buyers Ask
12cm VFX-HDRI Photographic sphere Questions
What size is this VFX-HDRI sphere and can it be made larger?
The listed size for this piece is 12cm, and like most of this catalogue it is also made to custom size.
Which finish will I get and can I have both chrome and grey?
This kit includes one 12cm chrome sphere and one 12cm grey sphere. Both finishes are applied to the same stainless steel shell, and custom combinations are available on request.
Is the mounting thread 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch?
The standard thread is 1/4 inch UNC. The kit can be made with 3/8 UNC on request, which is useful for larger camera rigs or studio mounts.
How is this kit packed and protected?
The kit is packed in a waterproof, shock-proof and compression-proof ball bag, which protects the spheres during transport and storage.
Can you build one from a photo I have?
Yes. The workshop takes orders according to a photograph or a drawing from the customer. Send the reference image, the diameter you want, and the intended use.
How long does it take to produce this VFX sphere kit?
This includes fabrication, polishing, and final inspection.
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Send the liquid, the pressure at the nozzle and the thread on your header. Trial samples can be sent free of charge and samples can be ready within 10 days.