$750 starting from scratch Question ??

[RaySigmond]

If you were buying your first lighting kit or individual lights and had $750 to spend, what would you buy or build?

In response to my own question I will refer to some of the suggestions on this thread

http://www.dvxuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX2/...num=1102653280

After reading the thread mentioned above I purchased John Jackman's book and have been strongly considering Rostronics Lights. But recently discovering that Walter Graff is working on 60 watt flourescant fixtures, it just make me want to know how far your money can go with the right advice?

[quote author=Walter_Graff link=board=lighting;num=1103211109;start=0#10 date=12/19/04 at 15:08:22]I am also working on my own 60 watt flourescent fixture which I hope to have at the NYC seminar as an introduction and may then produce them for $100 or so a unit undercutting all the expensive mde flouros out there so everyone can use them. [/quote]

[Damon_C]

Re: $750 starting from scratch Question ??

I can tell you that I just bought the 3-light dual wattage kit from rostronics: http://www.rostronics.com/products.asp?cat=13&pg=2

It doesn't seem like it can be beat for the money. It was slightly more than $500 including extra bulbs and shipping. The only thing I would add to the kit I got is one of their 500/1000 watt dual-power lights, for a stronger key light.

The kit is well constructed- all the parts seem sturdy enough. The light is nice and even and pleasing. The engineering is impressive for the cost. You get enough accessories with it to really start using the kit right away in a variety of situations(barndoors, umbrella, softbox).
I can't speak for the long-term reliability because I haven't had them very long, but judging by the look and feel, they seem to be very well made.

Of course you can spend much much more for an established brand name, like Lowel or Mole-Richardson, but why? To impress other DP's with your name-brand gear? I mean sure these brands may last longer, but when you are just starting out you don't need to buy a kit that will last the rest of your life!
Personally I'd rather have a little money left over for other accessories.

[Walter_Graff]

Re: $750 starting from scratch Question ??

[quote author=Damon_C link=board=lighting;num=1103531313;start=0#1 date=12/21/04 at 12:32:43]

Of course you can spend much much more for an established brand name, like Lowel or Mole-Richardson, but why? To impress other DP's with your name-brand gear? I mean sure these brands may last longer, but when you are just starting out you don't need to buy a kit that will last the rest of your life!
Personally I'd rather have a little money left over for other accessories. [/quote]

I agree and disagree. It's always nice to start out with less expensive fixtures when you start but if you plan on doing more than shooting your daughter doing cartwheels and your wife or girlfriend naked in the shower I'd rather see you buy something that is going to offer versatility and longevity. You may not need a kit that lasts the rest of your life but odds are good you will always have the kit as the basis of your lighting set-up. I know I still have lights I use that I bought 15 years ago in my kit today. You probably will not get that much use out of the Roscotronics lights you mention. Seeing all the threads about how cheaply these lights are made and how many of them break, I'd say you have a much better kit that will last you forever with the Lowel DV Creator 1 which includes  Pro-Light, Omni-Light, Tota-Light, Umbrella, Barndoors, Gel Frame, Gels, Flag, Light Stands, Bulbs, LB-30 Soft Case for 1500 Total Watts. The three Lowel lights alone offer you so much more versatility than the Rocotronics fixtures for a variety of needs. For $200 more than the kit you mention or $699.00 you get three times the versatility and durability.
                                         

[RaySigmond]

Re: $750 starting from scratch Question ??

[quote author=Walter_Graff link=board=lighting;num=1103531313;start=0#2 date=12/21/04 at 13:06:08]

Seeing all the threads about how cheaply these lights are made and how many of them break, I'd say you have a much better kit that will last you forever with the Lowel DV Creator 1 which includes  Pro-Light, Omni-Light, Tota-Light, Umbrella, Barndoors, Gel Frame, Gels, Flag, Light Stands, Bulbs, LB-30 Soft Case for 1500 Total Watts. The three Lowel lights alone offer you so much more versatility than the Rocotronics fixtures for a variety of needs. For $200 more than the kit you mention or $699.00 you get three times the versatility and durability.
                                          [/quote]


Walter, I looked at the Lowel DV Creator 1 Kit

http://www.lowel.com/kits/DVcreator1.html

http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/m...ct_Code=DV901Z

Looks really hot!  I will follow your advice on this one.   ;D

Thanks,

Ray

[Walter_Graff]

Re: $750 starting from scratch Question ??

What I like about it is the versatility. The omni light is very focusable so you can fire it into a window, into the trees at night, or open it wide and fire it through a gel frame or into an umbrella or a future chimera light box. The Pro light s also great in a smaller package and makes a nice rim/backlight or a wall wash with a cuckaloris. You can also put a 12 volt bulb in it and use it with a battery belt. They sell all sorts of accessories for it so you can use it with a glass diffusion or a dichroic filter to get 5600k out of it. And the tota works great in an umbrella, for lighting a green screen, or for bouncing off a flex fill or wall. You will not find a better kit for the money, one that will last years, and Lowel will repair anything mostly free. And it comes in a soft case which makes taking it around with yo so much easier. BUT BUY IT FROM BH PHOTO. ITS $100 less than the EVS link you listed.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...925&is=REG

[Rush]

Re: $750 starting from scratch Question ??

[quote author=Walter_Graff link=board=lighting;num=1103531313;start=0#4 date=12/21/04 at 17:44:34]What I like about it is the versatility. The omni light is very focusable so you can fire it into a window, into the trees at night, or open it wide and fire it through a gel frame or into an umbrella or a future chimera light box. The Pro light s also great in a smaller package and makes a nice rim/backlight or a wall wash with a cuckaloris. You can also put a 12 volt bulb in it and use it with a battery belt. They sell all sorts of accessories for it so you can use it with a glass diffusion or a dichroic filter to get 5600k out of it. And the tota works great in an umbrella, for lighting a green screen, or for bouncing off a flex fill or wall. You will not find a better kit for the money, one that will last years, and Lowel will repair anything mostly free. [/quote]
Great advice, also give the DP light a look, because it will allow you to use up a to a 1K bulb, and has excellent interchangeable reflectors. I have two DP's, two Pro's, and two Rifa's in a lightweight kit. I also have the Arri's for when I need fresnels.

[Rush]

Re: $750 starting from scratch Question ??

[quote author=Walter_Graff link=board=lighting;num=1103531313;start=0#4 date=12/21/04 at 17:44:34]BUT BUY IT FROM BH PHOTO. ITS $100 less than the EVS link you listed.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...925&is=REG[/quote]
Hi Walter, the link he posted was for the DV901Z on our site at 809.95, the link you posted was for the DV901LBZ, which is the cheaper Soft-bag version. We match prices with B&H on almost all their Lowel products, except certain custom B&H kits, and we charge less for shipping, especially emergency overnight orders.

Here are all the links combined, and the corresponding prices:

DV901Z
1- http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/m...ct_Code=DV901Z
2- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...924&is=REG


DV901LBZ
1- EVS has no link for that, but the price is the same.
2- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...925&is=REG


You will notice that B&H is only $12 cheaper than EVS on the matching DV901Z, but the DVXuser price is lower than that.

[Scott_Spears]

Re: $750 starting from scratch Question ??

The Lowel Kit looks good.

I'd probably go with some combination of Lowel or Mole lights with some Rostronics, so I could get a C-Stand or two, more extension cords, maffer clamps and other little accessories.

Scott

[Walter_Graff]

Re: $750 starting from scratch Question ??

Thanks for the update Rush. Good to see that you will match prices. And I agree that $12 is not going to make or break someone's wallet. As for the soft case, I would not say it's "cheaper" as in quality. If you are shipping lights then a hard case is necessary, but if not, I would tell folks to get the soft case as it's easier to lug around. As for your kit, I like your combination, great versatility. One note, you can by the Altman Proline version of the 300, 600, 1000 and 2000 watt fresnels for a lot less than ARRI but with the same construction and quality and American made.

[taubkin]

Re: $750 starting from scratch Question ??

Yeah, I have been Wrestling with a Hard case kit for some time now, and have to say I really miss a soft bag. I think I'll be looking form something next year. But the hard case sure makes for a nice place to keep my gear in my apartment.