400 - 700 bucks to spend on my first real lights

J

Jackson Miller

Well-known member
So I have between 400 and 700 bucks to spend on lights. I know that is a wide range but I'm not sure how much it is necessary to spend. I know very little about lighting except how the three point lighting system works with a main light, a fill and a back light, and how to use makeshift reflectors etc. I have several construction lights that I have used up until now but I am ready for something a little more professional.

One requirement is that I MUST buy from B and H. I can not buy from any other seller for this purchase.

So please help a lighting newb and suggest what I could/should get from B and H that would give me something to work with. I want a set that I can learn a lot from using that I can experiment with etc. But I don't even know where to start. There seem to be two different basic types, tungsten and fluorescent. Are there more that that?

In a nutshell, what are the differences/advantages of each.

In conclusion, could you just recommend a kit and any extra lighting stuff I would need, to be ready to go? Remember, it has to be from B and H. Here is the link to lighting at B and H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/category/1161/Lighting_Studio.html

Thanks a million. :) Oh and please tell me why you recommend what you do.
 
You can only afford a tungsten kit and I'd recommend one of these based on Smith Victor's cost/quality ratio:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...or_401463C_K63_C_Broad_Lighting_Tungsten.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ctor_401450_K77_Interview_Tungsten_Light.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/250332-REG/Smith_Victor_401400_Professional_3_Light_Kit.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...r_401440_K78_Professional_Portrait_Three.html

As accessories:

Spare bulbs for lights
Extension cords
wooden clothes pins
White bounce board
2" "Pony" spring clamps
2 more light stands
Lightweight leather gloves

.
 
In my opinion your best bet is:

Chimera kit:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/257304-REG/Chimera_8000_Video_Pro_Plus_1.html

with a Lowel Pro (with barn doors and a stand)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/284755-REG/Lowel_P2_10_Pro_Light_Focus_Flood_Light.htm

Get yourself some foamcore as a bounce board and a reflector ($50 all purpose fill)


Cheap 3 point kits are a complete waste of money. If you are going to spend your hard earned cash then spend it on something that will last you and that will be reliable and effective. It doesn't get much better than Lowel and Chimera for the price range.
 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/300828-REG/Lowel_401450_Interview_Three_Light_Kit.html

These were the first lights I bought. It's a great learning/small production kit. Just remember, the reflector on the Tota light is NOT a barndoor (as I learned on one of my first shoots back in the day when there was a large explosion! Rookie mistake on my part...and quite embarrassing since I was borrowing them from someone else) I recommend you start with these as they are small, flexible, and effective. Remember to pick up some shot bags/sandbags while you're at it as the stands for small lights like these are light-weight and will fall over with the slightest nudge. While you are at it, pick up the following book (maybe before you buy your lights):

The Set Lighting Technician's Handbook by Harry C. Box

http://www.amazon.com/Set-Lighting-...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208299938&sr=8-1
 
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