Victor Nhat Nguyen
Well-known member
I am contemplating investing in some lowel lights, what are the general consensus of this brand?
how good are lowel lights?
- Thread starter Victor Nhat Nguyen
- Start date
Paul Hudson
Vacuum Tube Member
Good for starters. Way better than Chinese junk. Not nearly as good as Mole or Arri.
Great low cost open-face tungsten lights. Hot as hell, so you will definitely need gloves when handling them. They are a little on the fragile side, so you want to make sure they are properly packed when transporting them.
If size and weight is not a concern, then I prefer Arri fresnel lights over open-face tungsten. ( nicer light, easier to handle, fresnel lens allows for a long throw )
If size and weight is not a concern, then I prefer Arri fresnel lights over open-face tungsten. ( nicer light, easier to handle, fresnel lens allows for a long throw )
Oliver Rush
Well-known member
They make good worklights....
For the money I would (and did) buy some used Arri and Mole tungsten fresnels... They will last for ever, are very controllable, and have an excellent quality of light.
For the money I would (and did) buy some used Arri and Mole tungsten fresnels... They will last for ever, are very controllable, and have an excellent quality of light.
Victor Nhat Nguyen
Well-known member
where can I find use arri and mole?
Oliver Rush
Well-known member
I got a couple of mine off ebay and craigslist, though I got my best deals from rental houses that were selling off excess lights or that were going out of business. You may have to fix some wiring, plugs, switches, etc, here and there, but otherwise they last forever and are extremely durable.
eiker_ir
Well-known member
Good company with a good reputation. I agree that their lights are not as heavy duty as Arris or Moles, but they are also a lot lighter and easier to carry around as a great lightweight tungsten kit.
I really like that you can easily buy any replacement part you may need to keep them running for a long time.
I really like that you can easily buy any replacement part you may need to keep them running for a long time.
Victor Nhat Nguyen
Well-known member
so I'm trying to achieve something like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rojPMESoiAA. For now I can only afford two lights, which of the lowel lights do you recommend
wgzn
Veteran
thats a pretty soft and subtle light. could be a dimmable fesnel through a series of scrims or diffusers. but my guess says its flourescent.
to achieve this id go with any of the following:
- lowel prolights on dimmers and diffusion gels.
- diva style dimmable fourescents
- a couple dimmable 500 LEDs (also with diffusion gel - LEDs cast muti-shadows when flagged or obscured)
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This appears to be lit by two broad ( large and soft ) light sources that create a fairly soft light. The light spill has been controlled, so it's not lighting up the rest of the room.
If I was trying to mimic this type of lighting on the cheap, then I would use 2 Lowel Pro lights with black-backed white umbrellas ( soft-boxes would be better, but tungsten soft-boxes are expensive ), and be careful to control any light spill. You will also need at least one light dimmer to adjust the ratio of the fill light.
I have no problems with the larger Lowel stands, but some of the smaller ones are very "toy" like.
wgzn
Veteran
I have 3 of their lighter weight stand. And though they do feel a bit lean, in nearly two decades of use I've not had one fail. Just drop a sandbag or extension cord on the legs and never give it another thought. Now I wouldn't try to hang a 1k on them... But for a 250 pro, they've served me fine
Victor Nhat Nguyen
Well-known member
so how about I buy this for starter http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/284755-REG/Lowel_P2_10_Pro_Light_Focus_Flood_Light.html
and for a stand a cheap impact lightstand http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253069-REG/Impact_LS_96HAB_Air_Cushioned_Heavy_Duty_Light.html
and I'm thinking of getting this also http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/283646-REG/Impact_CRK_32K_32_5_in_1_Reflector_with.html
and for a stand a cheap impact lightstand http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253069-REG/Impact_LS_96HAB_Air_Cushioned_Heavy_Duty_Light.html
and I'm thinking of getting this also http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/283646-REG/Impact_CRK_32K_32_5_in_1_Reflector_with.html
craigbowman
Veteran
I've been using Lowell products for over three decades and many will state all the reasons why I should use something else and they'd be right. 
...You probably want to buy the model that comes with a bulb. ( the model you selected does not include the bulb )
Lowel Pro-Light Focus Flood Light
I would also include a spare $10 bulb, as they are rated to only last 200 hours.
The other gear you selected looks ok. I would also add a couple of black-backed umbrellas to make it easy to soften the light from the Lowel Pro light. The 25 inch will create a smaller and brighter pool of soft light, while the 60 inch will create a large and very soft broad light.
Creative Light 25" White Umbrella : $29
Impact 60" Convertible Umbrella : $29
Victor Nhat Nguyen
Well-known member
does the pro light already come with stuff to attach the umbrella or do I need to buy something else? also do you think I should buy barn doors for the pro light?
Yes it has a built-in umbrella mount.
And if you can afford it, I would get the barn-doors too. They are very handy when you want to throw a beam of light and still be able to control how far the light spreads.