Cheap light kit?

HBlack

HBlack

Underage Member
I want to throw together a decent 3 light kit for as little as possible. Limit's around $500, but I'd much prefer to go under that. I've been using lamps strapped to things up until now, and I'd like to have the convenience of a C-stand and barn doors.
 
ebay "Lighting & Studio Equipment" sub category "continuous lighting". The seller "amvona.com" has some good deals sometimes, but you have to watch the auctions closely and be careful for high shipping charges on all sellers' items.
 
You can find chinese redheads clones on ebay for very cheap(around 40$ + shipping). You could change the bulbs(to get the right wattage and right color temp) and get dimmers.
Maybe get 2 of those and one 150w fresnel from ketch ?

Maybe a 2 bulbs cool light from richard for key? Hopefully it should be available soon. That could be a good investment.
 
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Those Cool Lights tungstens look really promising. I've always been a big fan of the arri style lights-- typically renting them. I may have to buy a few and try them out.
 
Will something like this be good for a small "interview" setup?

http://cgi.ebay.com/2000-WATT-D-V-C...oryZ3860QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/2000-Watt-Digit...ryZ79008QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/PHOTO-DIGITAL-V...ihZ010QQcategoryZ3860QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Will those work well for shooting HVX200 720p/24pn? (only asking cuz it sa

ys for digital video in description)
Excuse me, but i'm a artificial lighting noob. Any suggestions appreciated.
 
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These lights have a built in fan. I can see their purpose for this light, however this probably will cause issues for your "sound dept". I would continue your research. Look into Arri and Mole light fixtures. For a lighter budget, look into Lowel "Rifa" lights.. Good luck.
 
filmat11 said:
These lights have a built in fan. I can see their purpose for this light, however this probably will cause issues for your "sound dept". I would continue your research. Look into Arri and Mole light fixtures. For a lighter budget, look into Lowel "Rifa" lights.. Good luck.
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing about the fans. They might be pretty quiet, but who knows. I also would be the "sound dept." btw.

Britek lighting, are these decent to use?

HT2600BoomKit.jpg
 
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RE1000 said:
I was thinking the same thing about the fans. They might be pretty quiet, but who knows. I also would be the "sound dept." btw.

Britek lighting, are these decent to use?

HT2600BoomKit.jpg
Click to expand...
UGGGHHHHH ! Please use the "search" feature of this website... You'll find many, many, many, many, many thoughts about these lights...
 
filmat11 said:
UGGGHHHHH ! Please use the "search" feature of this website... You'll find many, many, many, many, many thoughts about these lights...
Click to expand...

Ya I did, and I found inconsistencies in what people thought about them. Some have used them for 3 years or so, and loved them, and some weren't too really into them, but didn't really see any posts about the lights themselves being bad. (except that one light caught fire)
They seem ok, but just looking for another opinion.
I'll probably shy away from them I guess.

I'm looking at some Smith Victor kits right now. Looking at this one. From what i've searched, they seem to be cheaper good brand lighting.
 
Well, just like audio people, I'd say good lighting , like good sound, is often overlooked ,underappreciated, under utilized, or done poorly.
I haven't used Smith Victor products for several years, and without starting a whole new thread.."What's better Smith Victors or Briteks", I'd say that a sofbox "Kit" is very nice to have indeed. But without the softbox, I don't believe anyway, and I could be wrong because,like I said, I haven't used them for awhile, I don't believe these fixtures have any barndoors, so additional uses of these lights are somewhat limited...but with experience and imagination you can and will find other ways to "deploy" these lights.
I always try to steer folks to fresnel type lights, especially if their really serious about a light "kit" they can grow with and use for years to come. Even I might choose, and I hate to even spell their name..Briteks, over just a sofbox kit like Smith Victors, because several of the Briteks are indeed fresnels, and can be adapted for softboxes and other accessories, but this is in no way an advertisement for their products..Especially their service,bulbs and construction. Save your pennies and wait till you can afford or rent some Arri's or Mole lights.. Good luck
 
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thanks for the informative response, I appreciate it.
I would rent some great light setups, but i would need a permanent "interview" setup. So i do need to purchase it. I think I might go the softbox route.
 
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Your soft boxes will be great for interviews. Get some C-stands and flags,silks, nets and dimmers to control your lights as well.
Don't forget to buy CTB(color temp Blue) to match your lights to daylight when you interview people by windows. As a general rule I use 1/2 CTB, but this depends on many factors..Good luck
 
Not a miserable kit, but get some filter holders so you don't have to rig stuff with c47s. Also keep some replacement lamps in the kit. The difference in utility between 8' and 9' stands is measurable, too.
 
There's nothing wrong with the Briteks you suggested earlier - I've used them for 3 years in very rough conditions carting them across Asia Pacific & the US (they're also 120/240V).

They cool down quickly, and are easy to set up. Best value I've seen under $500. I have 3 of the 650W with 2 x softboxes. Order about 10 fuses when you get the lights - will last you at least 5 years.

Phil Brown
 
ok......the Amvona lights.
I just bought 4 softboxes (2x 4'x3') (1x 3'x2') and 1x 7' umbrella softbox
with 4 c-stand/ crane stands. 4x heads. 8x 1000w bulbs, 8x 500w bulbs
2x 4'x3' 5 in one reflectors and 1x reflector crane stand holder.

all for $448. plus shipping

and I've got to tell you I like them alot more than the Lowel they replaced.
If I had more money I would have bought brand name but I've spent my budget on other stuff.
 
RE1000 said:
Will something like this be good for a small "interview" setup?

http://cgi.ebay.com/2000-WATT-D-V-C...oryZ3860QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/2000-Watt-Digit...ryZ79008QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/PHOTO-DIGITAL-V...ihZ010QQcategoryZ3860QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Will those work well for shooting HVX200 720p/24pn? (only asking cuz it sa

ys for digital video in description)
Excuse me, but i'm a artificial lighting noob. Any suggestions appreciated.
Click to expand...

your not going to want a 2k for anything less then an outdoor night scene
 
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