Best light kit for under $500?
- Thread starter RicoRoman
- Start date
Patryk_Rebisz
Veteran
Buy used lowels. They will probably run you $750-1000 for 3 light kit.
wgzn
Veteran
at $500 your options for real lights are VERY limited.
the best, easiest, affordable option for that i would say would be get 3 lowel prolights (those little 250w focusable heads) with gel frames.
you can probably find a used set of those for about $400-$600 depending on age / condition...
the best, easiest, affordable option for that i would say would be get 3 lowel prolights (those little 250w focusable heads) with gel frames.
you can probably find a used set of those for about $400-$600 depending on age / condition...
nyvz
Veteran
I agree, the size, price, and versatility of a couple of used lowel lights is pretty easily the best starting point for under $500.
I started with some used Tota and Pro lights which go for about $50-100 each, buying two of each plus 4 $20 stands, a $10 umbrella, a $25 umbrella softbox, a $25 dimmer. Don't forget bulbs.
Otherwise inexpensive fluorescent fixtures might be possible. If you need daylight, I was able to get two 2bank fluorescent fixtures for $180 each that came with diffusers and daylight bulbs, add a used lowel pro light with 1/2 ctb and some cheap stands and you might be able to have a pretty versatile 3 light kit that can do daylight.
Also if you need inexpensive lights capable of daylight, try $10 home depot clamp lights with $5 homedepot CFLs. I used these hung on simple wall hooks when I needed additional fixtures to pre-rig a room on no budget and still have all my other lights available for scenes in other locations .
I started with some used Tota and Pro lights which go for about $50-100 each, buying two of each plus 4 $20 stands, a $10 umbrella, a $25 umbrella softbox, a $25 dimmer. Don't forget bulbs.
Otherwise inexpensive fluorescent fixtures might be possible. If you need daylight, I was able to get two 2bank fluorescent fixtures for $180 each that came with diffusers and daylight bulbs, add a used lowel pro light with 1/2 ctb and some cheap stands and you might be able to have a pretty versatile 3 light kit that can do daylight.
Also if you need inexpensive lights capable of daylight, try $10 home depot clamp lights with $5 homedepot CFLs. I used these hung on simple wall hooks when I needed additional fixtures to pre-rig a room on no budget and still have all my other lights available for scenes in other locations .
Last edited: