Film to DV lighting

andrew00

Well-known member
Hey,

So I've just spent the best part of 2 hours using the search function on the lighting forum and trying to swot up. You see I, like billions of us here, would like to purchase a starter lighting kit and thought 'hmm, I bet one or two people have asked that questions on that before'...one or two. However, I am something of an idiot and so most of the information has sent me spiraling into panic and confusion.

You see, I was actually trained in lighting to a limited degree when I was younger. Nothing fancy, but I was using 16mm b+w film and I learnt all about light meters and 3 point and all that jazz. I even managed to be so skillful that I turned around, knocked one over and broke it. Oh and I managed to burn myself often.

However, that was then and this is now and my memory has faded. I remember the 'what' but not the 'how' and 'what with'. Please would you help me find a lighting solution. I am perfectly happy with eBay if people recommend it (and if it's well priced). I am based in the UK so a lot of the recommendation through links on here have been ebay.com, not .co.uk and I don't know about ordering from china through a us site, if that's just insane! So the info:

Budget - Ideally a little as possible but willing to spend to get. I'm thinking £600 max, which is about £1250 dollars I think.
Purpose - Primary function will be music videos, with Secondary functions of narrative film-making and interviews.

Naturally this mean one music video might be a full band performance, whilst another might be a narrative involving moody lighting that I'd desire control over.

Nice and general then!

I see a lot of ebay lights tend to have little in the way of control. Alas my days of the specifics of lighting have failed me and although I know what softboxes and reflectors and barn doors DO, I can't remember really when I'd chose to use them.

In other words, I don't know to say 'oh I want a soft box solution' or 'I want a blah blah'. Music videos with multiple functions!

Cheers, I know I'm a pain,

Andy
 
How many fixtures are you looking to get?
What camera(s) will you be using? If you're in SD or shooting with a 2/3" chip, you can probably get away with lower wattage.
 
Hey, camera will be a Sony EX1 for now, though I'd like to think I might rent something amazing, aka full broadcast, if the mood strikes me.

I guess I'd be looking at at least 3 lights, or rather, I'd like to be 'complete' with 3 at least, perhaps I could add more at a later date but the 3 would provide the basic.
 
I have done the same thing as ProfessorU, and found that you can usually pick up some cheaply priced stage "pars" with anything from 500-4K wattage for around $40 US not including bulbs. These aren't very controlled, but are great for filling in large backgrounds or large bands. I'd highly recommend buying used off of eBay, as long as you use the utmost common sense. I've purchased nearly everything I own lighting-wise off of eBay, and I'm supremely satisfied with what I've purchased. Look for moles and other high-end lights, and don't spend more than $200 on one, and you should be able to build a quality kit capable of moody lighting, or "talking head" setups, that can then be supplemented with par cans for a larger setup.
 
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