Build a lowel kit, what should I include? what Cheap softbox and what fits?

A

Avenger007

Well-known member
Its time for me to try something new. I'm looking for something to use in an upcoming photoshoot (portraits with santa) and then swap over to narrative work. This doesnt need to be a complete setup that'll handle any location.

I was looking at lowel stuff. How would a pro, dp, and tota work out? Should I add an omni in the mix. Or maybe the V-light?

Basically i'm looking for something inexpensive that is a bit more mobile as it will be adapted to a doc/reality series shoot on location.
I have a bunch of softbank kits and chimera stuff but I need something new and cheap. My arri stuff is out for a larger shoot until next year.

My usual setup includes a softbank IV with 150s as backlights, 1k w/chimera for key, and 650/300 for background and fill stuff. It works great and im used to the arri workflow setups. So i need something similar but I dont have the budget for yet another kit. I like/need the option to focus and plop scrims in as I please but the lowel system looks a little different.

What could function as a 1k/650 fresnel? A v-light with a softbox? The DP looks like its basically a nicer version of the omni light. And what is the difference with a tota vs V-light? It looks like a pro light, tota, and dp would make a nice setup. Where can I get a softbox that'll fit the DP (and tota if possible). Ill likely use an umbrella for the time being.

Thanks guys
 
Whatever you do, DON'T touch the POS Lowel light stands, they are an accident waiting to happen.

Coming from Arris, I doubt if you will like Lowels very much. They are okay but more difficult to control than fresnels. As far as using with a Chimera, I use my old Lowel V-Light sometimes, it works fine, but it's a drag not having scrims.

Best,

Dan
 
The Lowel Pro lights are excellent value and great lights and excellent to travel with. Together with a Lowel Uni-To light stand it's an excellent combo.
Multiple voltage choices from DC12V, 110V to 220V, many bulb options up to 250W max.
 
Yep, I am a Lowel user too. Just take care of them like any tool and they will last. I just bought a 3 Totas on ebay that were being sold as parts for $53.00. One needed to be rewired and that took 15 minutes and it works like a champ, one was missing its doors and needed a new reflector behind the bulb which the third one had and was fine 10 minutes. In other words with a bit of work and $53.00 I ended up with 2 working TRotas and spare parts for my others.The one without doors works well in one of my chimeras and thats where it will always be. What this does say also is you need to know that Totas will and can overheat . The Lowel Pro is a great little instrument. YMMV what I am learning is the DVXUser disclaimer.
Cheers
Brian
 
Yes, the Pro lights are great and especially good as background lights and hair lights, but will serve nicely for an interview key as well. You can take a bright, harsh Tota, that you might otherwise point at the ceiling to light the whole joint up and clip a 10" square of diffusion gel on its doors into a nice curve with some C-47s and get an amazingly soft, bright light. Add some CTB and you can move the color toward daylight and still have plenty of light. In fact, I use 300 W lamps to cut the heat and because you are going for large aperatures for shallo DOF there's plenty of light. Use foamboard clamped to a stand for fill. Spill is the only problem but flags clamped to the light stands work to subtract what youi don't want hitting the background, etc.
 
So the DP is sort of a better, more complete version of the omni; complete with focus and extra accessories? And the tota is the same vs the v-light?
Basically would it be necessary to get an omni if I'm already getting a DP. and likewise for the tota, is that a better buy over the v-light. I'm not seeing any specs that pop out between the two.

I'd imagine these work just as well with c-stands/gobos. I'm really gonna miss the arri kits even though they were a back breaker to carry. Im a heavy scrim user so Im not sure these Lowel lights are gonna work. The DP and pro look like they have a single "scrim attachment" accessory. That does me no good.

I think ill go with britek stuff. Do those fit scrims? And ill probly just sew in some velcro and modify their softbox for attachable silks considering the massive price difference between them and my chimeras. I can build a similar kit to the arri softbanks for less than 1/3 the price. Quality won't be there but at least itll get the job done. Thanks for the replies so far.
Let me know what you think.
 
Other than the Lowel Caselite, I find that Lowell products just don't work like the better stuff. I would purchase used Mole or Arri long before I would any Lowell or Britek items.

Rent the good stuff and use it before buying anything, it might save you from a purchase that you will later regret.
 
khmuse said:
Other than the Lowel Caselite, I find that Lowell products just don't work like the better stuff.
Click to expand...

Have you tried the Lowel Pro Lights?
I don't know of a simpler, lighter, and more practical light than those (other than VILDEDs of course! :)). Truly ideal for lightweight travel.
 
khmuse,
The britek stuff is mostly for lesser shoots, backups, photos...simple stuff. Ill never take them into a large shoot, thats what the arri kits are for. But for the price, I'd like to try them out. It seems that most members find them a decent buy for the money. And I already have scrims from the arri kits that could possibly fit on these briteks. I do appreciate the advice though.

Paying $12 or more per scrim for a lowel DP just isnt appealing. After a barndoor, scrims, bulb, and maybe that focusing glass it'll be a $200+ light. Thats a bit much for a simple santa photo shoot. I'll probly start with the 150/200 watt britek and go from there.

Does anyone know if the briteks will fit scrims?
 
vidled said:
Have you tried the Lowel Pro Lights?
I don't know of a simpler, lighter, and more practical light than those (other than VILDEDs of course! :)). Truly ideal for lightweight travel.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have used the Pro Lights and while OK, they really don't perform anywhere as well as the Dedolights that I typically use. Now, if I could only afford to own the Dedos I would be really happy, but at $7k for a 4 head kit, I think I will stick with renting them!
 
khmuse said:
Yeah, I have used the Pro Lights and while OK, they really don't perform anywhere as well as the Dedolights...
Click to expand...

Understood!

It was this part of the sentence in the original post that had me suggest the Lowel Pro Lights: "Basically i'm looking for something inexpensive that is a bit more mobile".
I will be taking a couple of Lowel Pro Lights with me for a job in Aotearoa. 220V? No problem, just swap the bulbs, and bring a plug adapter!
 
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