Decent lighting package for music videos?

C

Cableaddict

Member
Hello. I'm experienced with still photography, but a total noob at video.
Sorry, I know this has probably been asked a billion times already, but then I also have a VERY specific application. So:

I desperately need some opinions on a good continuous lighting setup, for around $1,200 or less. ( If we can get something significantly better for a small bump in price, I would consider that, but money is tight. I realize that one quality softbox can be over $1,000, but we need decent cheap stuff for now.)

We need just lights, stands, gels, softboxes & modifiers, etc. - We already have backgrounds from our still photography setup, and will add battery systems later. We also already have two small 100-watt fresnels with barn doors, for highlighting.

It will be a 2-camera, prosumer setup with good 35mm lenses. (f/1.2 - f/2.0)

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We want to shoot low-budget (for non-commercial promotional use & maybe YouTube) in-house videos of our musical artists, plus some location shoots. The option to later use batteries would be important, but we don't need battery packs right now.


Only need to cover 1-2 artists at once, but whole-body. Also concerned about current draw, so maybe flourescents or LED's, if they are not too much of an aesthetic compromise. I assume at least 2 large boxes, plus a hair light, and maybe something for the background? I'd prefer a pre-bundled package, but will cobble it together if you think that's better.

I'm totally OK with buying basic stuff now, then replacing it all when we have more $$$ and experience.

Suggestions?

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I'd also be curious what type of system you might put together, given a significantly higher budget.


- Thanks
 
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I will just post what I use for shooting, along with how much it costs.

$150 - 2 ebay softboxes with 42w CFLs 2700K from 1000bulbs.com - http://cgi.ebay.com/Photo-Studio-Lighting-Light-Kit-SoftBox-Video-Kit-02WF-/160560851052
$240 - 'as arri' 1000w fresnel - http://cgi.ebay.com/1000W-Fresnel-Tungsten-Light-DV-Film-ARRI-lamp-/180695124104
$15 - Lowes 500w worklight mod (puts out 1000w) http://diyfilmmaking.blogspot.com/
$25 - Husky 750w worklight mod (puts out 1500w)
$25 - Light stands these ones are my favorite on ebay so far http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250734500018
Free: campaign signs for fill cards/cookies/gobos (with some flat black spray paint)


I put this location kit together on b&h a while ago; you may find some of the items useful : http://www.bhphotovideo.com/wl/3F37C3BF9D
I added notes on the bulbs for which lights they would go to.
 
Thanks, Mat.

This is a clever setup, but a bit TOO budget for me. For instance, I want to be able to use various modifiers, so the Husky lights would not suffice.

Good tip on the stands, though. That's probably a good place to scrimp, as long as they don't break & we're careful.

The "As Arri" fresnel looks good for the monry, not sure I need one though. In my scenario, what would that be used for, specifically?

Also, the fresnel is Tungsten & the floro lamps are 6500K. How do you make that work? Can those cheap softboxes be gelled?

Last: those boxes are too small for full body illumination, no?
 
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I'll take a stab. Get a couple of 42"X72" Scrim Jims. People swear by them. Then find two 6" 1K fresnels on eBay. Should be well less than $200 each. I just bought one for $50. Get stands and stingers. Get two Harbor Freight router speed controls. You can then use the lamps with the diffusers for big soft sources or without for smooth, harder light. With what you have it will be flexible and effective.

I light a lot of music videos with lots of different gear but this will serve nicely.
 
The stands are decent, they can hold a 1k fresnel without worrying too much. They really are made of steel and they feel durable.

The fresnel is used for gobos or whenever you need hard light. It makes clean, hard shadows that open face lights cannot.

For the softboxes just grab some 2700K bulbs here http://1000bulbs.com/product/36676/FC42-801042.html

They are a bit small for full body. As slondon says scrim jims are the way to go. I built a 5x5 ft one for about $125 including stands and mounts. I am going to write up an article on my blog soon showing how I built it. If I write it soon enough I will post a link here.
 
Thanks, guys.

The scrim jims are an interesting idea, and I could also use them for still photography. I take it you adjust hardness by changing the distance from the fresnel to the screen face?

- But what about grids? Can they be added?

- What about spill off the (non-enclosed) sides? Not really a problem? Use barn doors or foil?

- What abut gels? Just add them directly to the fresnel?
 
mattsdni said:
I will just post what I use for shooting, along with how much it costs.

$150 - 2 ebay softboxes with 42w CFLs 2700K from 1000bulbs.com - http://cgi.ebay.com/Photo-Studio-Lighting-Light-Kit-SoftBox-Video-Kit-02WF-/160560851052
$240 - 'as arri' 1000w fresnel - http://cgi.ebay.com/1000W-Fresnel-Tungsten-Light-DV-Film-ARRI-lamp-/180695124104
$15 - Lowes 500w worklight mod (puts out 1000w) http://diyfilmmaking.blogspot.com/
$25 - Husky 750w worklight mod (puts out 1500w)
$25 - Light stands these ones are my favorite on ebay so far http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250734500018
Free: campaign signs for fill cards/cookies/gobos (with some flat black spray paint)


I put this location kit together on b&h a while ago; you may find some of the items useful : http://www.bhphotovideo.com/wl/3F37C3BF9D
I added notes on the bulbs for which lights they would go to.
Click to expand...

Thanks for putting this listing along with prices. How's your experience with the Arri lights, especially, the kits? Any recommendations with other brands?
 
Nice list. I'm sure those "Arri"'s will be different in electrical construction/wiring, quality of the build in general and the quality of the fresnels, but if it makes a nice even circular beam from spot to flood then sweet.
 
Instead of getting the Arri knockoffs, I would probably just look for some used Moles for the same price or lower. Moles are very durable and last forever... always some good ones on ebay. I found a 1k baby for about $160 and a 2k Junior for $200.
 
@ChasingCinematography I have only used fake arri lights, and they hold up decently. If you can get mole, go with that. They are solid and will never break. I have worked with mole lights made in the late 60's, and they were still working smoothly. As for other brands, lowel makes great location gear and it's inexpensive and small/lightweight.

@Papa You would be surprised how similar they are. There is a lawsuit like every 3 months from arri after all! The wiring is similar, but not as durable as a real arri. You can easily rewire them to proper standards. The plastic parts of the light housing are a little rough and pieces fall off every now and then. (just little bits that didn't get chopped off at the factory.)

@pianoboy Yep, moles are even better than the real arri lights, and on ebay they are fairly cheap. If you can afford/find a good deal then I would definitely go with mole.
 
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