Light suggestions/Softboxes

[Cassius]

I intend to order at least (probably just) one light for my basic kit. As much as I love renting for larger jobs, there are a lot of smaller jobs where it's not really worth the hassle. Especially when I have to travel a decent amount to find a rental place. For the project I'm working on right now I just need simple soft, low contrast lighting on product reviews. The conference room we're using already has soft and warm overhead lighting for some basic ambiance. I plan to but a small lamp in my Tota and bounce it off of a large white board for fill, but for key I'm thinking of getting a softbox. That Tota is my only real fixture so far.

My main contenders right now are the Rifa light and the Cool Lights SFT1 softbox kit. My issue with the Rifa is that it can't really be used any other way, and my issue with the CL kit is that the lamps only seem to come in 600w equivalent, which is actually a lot of output for what I'm doing. I'm not sure how much a softbox cuts that down, but if it's too bright the practicals become useless and I need to do more work to get it right. This isn't lighting for illumination, just style.

So what I'm looking for are suggestions on exactly what I should buy that has worked well for other people. Just a good basic light for interviews, product reviews, that kind of thing. I know how to use lights, but I'm pretty new to the world of buying them.

[Stephen Mick]

I've got a kit that includes the Rifa-88 and 55 lights, and they're absolutely awesome. Easy to set-up and break down. They pack relatively small for transport. Good stuff.

[PerroneFord]

+1. My Rifa 88 goes on every shoot I do. With both the tungsten 1k and the Fluorescent adapter...

[Stephen Mick]

Agreed, Perrone. The fluo adapter is a great piece of kit.

[Cassius]

I didn't even realize there was a fluo adapter. Is the 88 everyone's favorite flavor of Rifa?

[Matty_g]

Get the 88 and get a very tight grid for it too.

[Deer Film]

Could you guys post a link of what I need to buy for this, and do you still like this setup. Perrone, you mentioned in another post that you used ex55 Rifa, do you now recommend the 88. And is this with a fabric grid.
A lot of people like the cool lights, but many of their things are out of stock. Any thoughts on this. Which one is cheaper or better. Or do they both get the job done?
I am shooting in small areas, and don't want to give out a lot of heat or break and breakers.
Stephen, what is your set up and uses with this?

[Stephen Mick]

For smaller areas/setups, I still like the Rifa lights, though I'd lean more on the 66 and 55. You could also look at some Kino-Flo Diva units (200 or 400), but those are a bit larger for transport.

Honestly, I could probably light just about every interview I shoot with a Rifa 66, a Rifa 55, and a Pro-Light. That would make a pretty versatile kit for interviews.

[Deer Film]

I assume you use the Fluorescent adapter. How do you have that set up and can you tell me what I would need to buy for the adapter. I think it is a good idea from what I read, to buy my own stand for this. And do you use a grid with yours. The kinos are nice, but expensive. Plus, can't you go to menards and use their florescent bulbs in your set up. What bulbs would you recommend. Thanks for any help, links, or photos on this.
And one more, how far away from a subject is to far with this setup? My rooms are about 12 X 18 foot rooms, but with a lot of stuff in the way. So the shot would be closer.
Thanks