cheap lighting > sofboxes etc

ciencin

ciencin

Well-known member
I just started to get into lighting and looking into invest a little bit into some more lighting equipment.

At the moment I got an on board camera led light, a few flood lights with diffusion paper & gels, and a reflector. I'm looking to get 2 softboxes with continuous lights, but my budget for them is just under €200 (~$260).

I found a few sets on ebay going under $200. I know cheap usually means bad quality but cant afford to spend too much on professional lighting (trying to save all my pennies for a 5D mkII).

Could somebody give me some feedback on whether these will be ok or are they best to avoid? (if so why)
http://cgi.ebay.com/PHOTOGRAPHY-STU...CI%2BIA%2BUA%2BFICS%2BUFI%2BDDSIC&otn=3&ps=63

http://cgi.ebay.com/STUDIO-PHOTO-LI...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item53de53f6de

(Sorry for ebay link, I know they're frowned upon)

Is there any other places to look for something simular around my budget? I tried a few local shops and B&H but prices there are a bit over my limit...

Thanks,
Michael
 
IDK if you have them in the land of engl but have you looked into Britek? Decent lights and not overly expensive, they aren't arri but they are controllable.
 
Um, so you admit that you know that "you get what you pay for" and you don't want to pay, so... You get what you pay for.
 
This type gear is all made in China and it's usually grade B Chinese stuff. It's fine if you do a project here and there and realize it will take zero abuse, and may still break if pampered. I have some similar lights and some of the stands won't stay up, and wires have pulled out of the switch several times.

From a lighting standpoint , they work great for me.
 
ciencin said:
I just started to get into lighting and looking into invest a little bit into some more lighting equipment.

At the moment I got an on board camera led light, a few flood lights with diffusion paper & gels, and a reflector. I'm looking to get 2 softboxes with continuous lights, but my budget for them is just under €200 (~$260).


(
Thanks,
Michael
Click to expand...

Have you thought about just using china balls ? These are paper lanterns you can get very very cheaply. They are also so light (in weight) you can rig them very quickly and even hand hold them if you have to.

They are a beautiful soft and wrappy source, great on faces. They have a sweet spot at about 5 ' from the subject.

You can just use regular bases in them or get something like this with a ceramic base so you can use higher wattage lamps. I love using the Osram 250w Metal Hallux lamps. They are about 2900K and look great on skin tone.

Using something like the lantern locks makes them safer because you can rig the lamp sideways and know the bulb won't set the paper on fire ! You can also skirt off any spill you don't want.

They are not to be underestimated !

http://flickr.com/photos/lefeber/978617315/
http://obscureobjectfilms.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/red-1.jpg?w=450&h=300
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnbrawley/408298001/in/set-72157594566402764/

jb
 
i have a similar (britek) kit i keep around for my "budget challenged" clients.

the drawbacks are:
1. cheap build quality = shorter life and harder to setup
2. setup time = building the boxes and screwing in all those bulbs eats up time.
3. gel cost = the bulbs are typically daylight, so you'll need some tungsten gels (add another $100 or so
4. weak diffusion material = in my experience all of these budget kits have super weak diffusion screens (a la mosquito netting) so you'll need to buy some diffusion sheets (add another $100 or so)
and you'll also need a document tube to carry your new tungsten and diffusion gels. add another $50
 
China balls! A very good way to go...

Also don't forget about putting higher wattage bulbs in your practicals.
 
I have one of the kits with the muliple CFL's. Works good. My set have real good diffusion. Probably depends on brand/ebay seller. (My set says "Inspiron" on the bags and "Tricolor Light" on the heads). They have a switch for each CFL.

Downsides:

There is no "ring" so you can't rotate the box once it is assembled, though there are multiple mounting holes so you can position the box however you want during assembly.

Time consuming to assemble but not that bad.

The mounts to the stands are plastic and will break if you tighten to hard. You could probably replace them with metal mounts.

This kit is working fine for me but I would not consider it "rugged" by any means. But then it is only $200 or less. I bought mine with a green screen kit (10'x20' with frame etc) for under $400. Good for a mini studio. Though I am using them for mobile use.

The light stands are not the most rugged either (though the 10' green screen ones are pretty decent). You may have to replace the rivets with bolts after a while. Haven't had to yet but I see that as a likely upgrade eventually. (Where the legs meet the mounts and cross arm pieces - easy fix really).

They only draw 200w each head with all the lights on. Put out roughly equiv to a 1000w light each.

And yes, gelling these can be a pain, but I have not needed diffusion. You could get away with a 3/4 CTO sheet for each (or is that full CTO? for 5500K to 3200K?)

In this industry that is almost disposable pricing. :)

I also have a 3 piece set of of redheads from china. The ones I have seem really good. Depends on the brand I think. Some people have complained of inferior wiring. Mine have worked great and seem as well built as the American ones.


Mine are called "Qhie" Model QH-DG800. I had to add my own switches and add more cord.

3 peice kit with stands (similar stand to the soft box kit) and 3 diachromatic filters (3200K to 5600K) was around $400 shipped.

From these guys. (I think you can ask for cords with switches, they are looking into this for me). http://stores.ebay.ca/Evercolor2
 
Last edited:
I would steer clear of that stuff.

You should look into some china balls and building some of your own fixtures. You'd be surprised what kind of cool lights you can build with some creativity and patience. Also, if you search around the forums, people are always posting different lights they've built. Light is a simple concept, get creative and build what suits your needs, it is possible. You could probably make some nicer stuff than those lights you posted to be honest.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top