how's this arri kit?

B

BennyOne

Member
If you can cough up another grand.....(noise of hard swallow). Get the Arri Softbank IV kit. It comes with a softbox, which is perfect for interviews, and a total of 5 lights.
Many threads and questions have brought up this same question. Use the search thread for "Lighting kits" or "Arri lights".
You did find a nice kit...it you do go this route, invest in a speed ring and softbox from Chimera. You can add a few more lights later, as you earn enough to pay off what your buying now. Then invest in a couple of American or Matthews C-stands, a couple of Mafor or Cardellini clamps, diffusion gel and a dimmer or two.
 
http://www.lighthouselights.com/packages/5.cfm

$400.00 for driver swing for 10 hours on set.



5-Ton Standard Package.......................................................................................$950/Day
Includes tungsten lighting, grip equipment, and electrical distribution on a liftgate truck.
5-Ton Grip & Electric Package.......................................................................................$750/Day
The same distribution and grip equipment as our standard 5-Ton Package, without any tungsten lighting. Perfect for shoots that require only HMI's or other specialty lighting.

5-ton.jpg


LIGHTING EQUIPMENTELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
(2) 5K Fresnel/Baby
(4) 2K Fresnel/Baby Jr.
(4) 2K Open Face/Mighty
(4) 1K Fresnel/Baby
(4) 1K Open Face/Mickey
(4) 650w Tweenie
(4) 200w Inkie
(3) 2K Zip Light w/Egg Crate
(2) 1K Zip Light w/Egg Crate


(1) Set of 5-Wire Bare Ends
(1) Set of 5-Wire Lg. Trico
(1) Set of 5-Wire Med. Trico
(1) Set of 5-Wire Sm. Trico
(6) 50' 4-Wire Banded
(10) 50' 2/OT Wire
(3) 600 Amp Pass Thru Box
(4) 100 Amp Pass-thru Lunchbox
(20) Tapping "T"s (M-F-F)
(4) Parallel "T"s (M-M-F)
(2) Set of Floppy "T"s
(14) 100 Amp 50' 3-Pin Exten.
(6) 60 Amp 50' 3-Pin Exten.
(4) 100 Amp Quad Box
(4) 60 Amp Quad Box
(4) 100 Amp 2/100 Splitter
(6) 100 Amp 2/60 Splitter
(2) 60 Amp 2/60 Splitter
(6) 50' 12/3 Extension
(24) 25' 12/3 Extention
(4) 4-Way to Edison
(1) Snakebite
(3) 1K Variac
(2) 2K Variac
(6) 50' Grounding Cables
(4) Cube TapGRIP EQUIPMENT(18) C-Stand
(2) Mini C-Stand
(2) Mini C-Stand w/mini base
(2) 2K Low Stand
(2) 2K Rolling Stand
(8) 2K Stand
(2) 750 Rolling Stand
(20) 750 Stand
(4) 750/2K Adapter
(4) Hi-Hi Roller, Wide Base
(2) Mombo-Combo
(4) Combi Head
(1) Flex Arm
(4) Gobo Head/Short Arm
(2) 10" 2K C-Clamp
(2) 10" Studded C-Clamp
(2) 8" 2K C-Clamp
(4) 8" C-Clamp
(2) 8" Studded C-Clamp
(4) 6" C-Clamp
(4) 6" Studded C-Clamp
(4) 4" C-Clamp
(4) 4" Studded C-Clamp
(2) 2K Big Ben Clamp
(2) C-Boom Clamp
(8) Cardellini Clamp
(2) Chain Vice Grip
(2) Lg. Furniture Clamp w/Studs
(2) Md. Furniture Clamp w/Studs
(2) Sm. Furniture Clamp w/Studs
(2) 2" x 4" Wall Spreaders
(2) Bead Board Holders
(6) Gator Grip
(6) Mafer Clamp
(4) Scissor Clamp
(2) 6" Collar Pins
(15) Lg. Spring Clamp
(15) Med. Spring Clamp
(15) Sm. Spring Clamp
(1) 10' Ladder
(1) 8' Ladder
(1) 6' Ladder
(1) 4' Ladder
(4) 2K Pigeon
(4) 2K Pipe Hangers
(2) 2K Offset Arms
(1) 2K Riser
(2) 2K Sidearms
(1) 2K Triple Header
(1) 750 Double Header(1) 750 Triple Header
(6) 750 Pigeon
(8) 750 Pipe Hangers
(2) 750 Offset Arms
(2) 750 Sidearms
(1) 18"x24" Cookie
(3) 18"x24" Double Net
(2) 18"x24" Open Frame
(2) 18"x24" Silk
(3) 18"x24" Single Net
(4) 18"x24" Solid
(1) 24"x36" Cookie
(3) 24"x36" Double Net
(4) 24"x36" Open Frame
(2) 24"x36" Silk
(3) 24"x36" Single Net
(6) 24"x36" Solid
(1) 48"x48" Cookie
(2) 48"x48" Double Net
(8) 48"x48" Open Frame
(2) 48"x48" Silk
(2) 48"x48" Single Net
(2) 48"x48" Solid
(2) 24"x72" Meat Axes
(8) 48"x96" Floppy Solid
(2) 24" x 48" Cutter
(1) 20'x20' Butterfly
(1) 12'x12' Butterfly
(1) 8'x8' Butterfly
(1) 6'x6' Butterfly
(1) Dot & Finger Set
(8) Full Apple Box
(8) Half Apple Box
(8) Quarter Apple Box
(8) Pancake
(4) 10' Black Pipe
(2) 10' Speed Rail (w/Con.)
(1) Box of Wedges (50)
(1) Box of Step-Ups (20)
25' Rubber Mat
(4) Safety Chains
(50) Sandbags (25lb)
(2) Silver Reflector
(8) Sound Blanket
(1) Squeegee Kit
(1) Blue Tarp
(2) Muscle Cart

EXPENDABLES Pay as used!!!!!



(1+) 1" Black Gaffer Tape
(3+) 2" Black Gaffer Tape
(2+) 1" Black Paper Tape
(2+) 2" Black Paper Tape
(1+) 2" Clear J-Lar Tape
(1+) 1" Grey Gaffer Tape
(1+) 2" Grey Gaffer Tape
(2+) 1" White Camera Tape
(1) Caution Tape
(1) Electric Tape
(1) Bailing Wire
(1) Mirror Tiles (box)
(4) Porcelin Base
(4) Cube Tap
(5) Ground Lifters
(10) Quick-Ons - M
(10) Quick-Ons - F
(2) Ratchet Strap
(1) Tape Roll
(2+) 12" Blackwrap
(1+) 24" Blackwrap
(3) 4' x 4' Bead Board
(3) 4' x 8' Bead Board
(3) 4' x 4' Foam Core
(4) 4' x 8' Foam Core
(20) B/W Showcards
(8) G/W Showcards
(4 ea. shiny + matte)
(8) S/W Showcards
(4 ea. shiny + matte)
(4) #8 Sashcord
(6) #10 Sashcord
(1) Black Trickline (spool)
(1) Celo Screen
(2) Clothespins (bags)
(1) Dulling Spray
(1) Duvetyne (roll)
30' Rubber Mat
Asst. Box of Screws
(1) Streaks & Tips
(1) Visqueen (roll)
(1) WD-40
(1) Zipcord (spool)
(6) 1" x 3" x 10' Batten
(6) 2" x 4" x 10' Lumber
(4) 3/4" x 4' x 8' Plywood
(1+) Eighth CTB
(1+) Quarter CTB
(1+) Half CTB
(1+) Full CTB
(1+) Eighth CTO
(1+) Quarter CTO
(1+) Half CTO
(1+) Full CTO
(1+) Opal
(1+) 216
(1+) 250
(1+) 251
(1) Hampshire Frost
(1) Half Grid Cloth
(1) Full Grid Cloth
(1) Roscoscrim
(1) 1/8 Minus Green
(1) 1/4 Minus Green
(1) 1/2 Minus Green
(1) Full Minus Green
(1) 1/8 Plus Green
(1) 1/4 Plus Green
(1) 1/2 Plus Green
(1) Full Plus Green
(2) ND .3
(2) ND .6
(2) ND .9
(1+) Heat Shield
 
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What about insurance for the truck and rental equipment insurance ?
I'm not arguing, just thought this might be a factor....
Everytime I rent a truck, I need to show that I have this special coverage, and it costs me $ 1400.00 a year. This is for a truck rental and $ 500,000 dollars
worth of equipment... Am I paying too much ??
 
Yes insurance is necessary, but insurance is necessary.

A certificate of insurance from your insurance company is all you need to show to most rental companies.

Having production insurance could save you tens of thousands of dollars and possible years of lawsuits.
 
Rental is a great option. And certainly the only thing I would do on a BIG job that required HMIs basically any major outdoor stuff where i had a closed set. That said the Arri kit will get you done just about anywhere indoors, I would add a Kino and at least a pepper to the kit for your purposes. Get yourself some dimmers, ctb, cto, foam core, reflectors, couple of spare stands, cstand, grip arms (all adds up). But then you have the versatility of doing a lot of testing etc.

Arri are strong and built to last. I have that kit. Excellent.
 
should i go with a 1000 watt kit instead and just step down the bulbs in case i want to light some larger areas in the future?

also, what is the advantage of having three lights with different wattages like a 650 a 300 and a 150. i see a lot of people with this type of kit but i thought your key and your backlight are supposed to be the same amount of light.

thanks.
 
BennyOne said:
should i go with a 1000 watt kit instead and just step down the bulbs in case i want to light some larger areas in the future?

also, what is the advantage of having three lights with different wattages like a 650 a 300 and a 150. i see a lot of people with this type of kit but i thought your key and your backlight are supposed to be the same amount of light.

thanks.
Click to expand...

No rules for that...But typical 3-point lighting can slightly vary from location to location, depending on how much room you have to set up. I may indeed use 3 lights for an interview, but I don't necessarily follow a rule of same strength Key and backlight.
I have had instances where the talent wore all black, they were pale, and had dark hair against a dark background. The rule you mention doesn't apply in this case.
But to answer your question about other wattages of lights in your kit...
Some of these lights are not only smaller in wattage, but there are in size as well. This is helpful if you wish to hide these lights in small spaces, you don't have to add additional scrims to knock their output down. Smaller lights are great for background "Accent lights", an eye light, fill and small product source. When a 650 is way too much.... Yes, you can re-lamp them smaller, you can add scrims and a dimmer. But you don't neccesarily have to if you have a smaller unit.. Think smart, less work, less set up, faster shoot, and saves your bigger lights for key and background, or where ever you need more light than a 300 or 150.
I hate changing the wattage of my lights, I like consistancy.. If I get home from a shoot one night, and don't feel like changing my bulbs back to where they were, I don't have to make myself a note to remind myself to change them.
I want my 650's to always be 650, my 300's.. always 300.. you get the picture..Less wear and tear on bulb life if you ask me... I only change bulbs if they blow, or have a noticable color temp shift.
 
Dedolights are a much better value than Arri fresnels... hear me out. 150W Dedo has the output of a 650W fresnel and is 1/3 the size. The lamps last 2000 hours in the Dedo. The lights sell for 2x as much, but you can fit 3 of them in the same case as one fresnel. If you need to fit several powerful lights in the least amount of space, get the Dedo's! I seldom use small fresnel's anymore. Dedo's are that good. Ps - They also have dimmers on them, which would add about $75 to the cost of a fresnel.
 
Dedo's are incredible lights, no doubt about it. I love how small they are...As you mentioned, they are expensive, and I see that as a drawback to many members of this forum. The only other thing that I personally don't like about them ,is the fact that you must use a power pack with multiple cords( depending on how many your using at a given moment). You have to invest in additional extensions to power them up, as all the cords must go to a central location, as opposed to just an edison cord to the nearest outlet. I hate having more cords on a set that may cause a trip hazzard, or are just unsightly. Yes, I do tape down my cords, or dress them away from foot traffic. But their are few lights that come close to the quality of light put out by a set of dedo's.. I would certainly own a a set of these, if I didn't have to give my spouse a percetage of my salary..LOL
 
I wouldn't reccomend that Arri kit at all for interviews. I don't find the 650W Fresnels very useful for interviews. I think the Arri 150W and 300W Fresnels are much more valuable. Here's what I light 99% of my interviews with (Dedos are great, but very expensive):

x1 500W Lowel Rifa w/fabric eggcrate (eggcrates are a must-have)
x2 Arri 150W Fresnels (used as a backlight, specials)
x1 Arri 300W Fresnels (used for background)

If you don't want to spend the money on a Rifa, I guess you could buy a 650W Arri Fresnel or 1K open-face Arri w/a Chimera speed ring, and either an extra small or small Chimera diffuser.

P.S. If I need a fill, I'll generally fill with a 2-foot, single-bank KinoFlo (or, if I don't have the Kinos with me, a 150W Fresnel with 216 on it).
 
filmat11 said:
The only other thing that I personally don't like about them ,is the fact that you must use a power pack with multiple cords( depending on how many your using at a given moment). You have to invest in additional extensions to power them up, as all the cords must go to a central location, as opposed to just an edison cord to the nearest outlet.
Click to expand...
FYI, they also make Dedo's with "built-in" transformers which are permanently attached to each individual light with a standard edison connector which plugs into any old stinger AC extention cord.. The all-in-one units have some additional advantages over the "multi-light" transformers you speak of because they allow you to hold onto the Dedo with your bare hands ("aka hollywood style") without gloves while it's turned on! Even though the light fixture itself gets very hot, the transformer stays cool and provides a sturdy surface to hold onto. Very_Nice_Feature.

Rezfactor said:
I think the Arri 150W and 300W Fresnels are much more valuable.
Click to expand...
WE have some Arri kits at one of the production companies I freelance for, and they are OK lights. I have them if I want them. But, the Dedo's have seriously upped the quality of my interviews ten fold because of their simple adjustability. The focused beam angle means I can set them up a lot faster because I don't have to deal with barndoors and the dimming capability means I don't have to deal with scrims. I can move move quicker (because they are smaller), and setup faster than an Arri kit.

Rezfactor said:
(Dedos are great, but very expensive)
Click to expand...
Investing in the Dedo kit has singlehandedly increased my income about $2000 a month in additional freelance work that I would not have gotten without the extra "edge" the Dedo kit provides. My clients love it. And, that's what matters in the end.

This will be my last post in this thread, as I have other work to attend to and I don't want to be "disagreeable" but I strongly believe that everyone here should really consider the Dedo's!!! They have paid off big time for me.
 
Hi thisiswells:

Can you post some stills from some Dedo shoots, interviews especially? They seem impressive but they should be for the price that they charge. Hmm...no brandoors and scrims? Sounds intriguing.

Best,

Dan
 
I will jump in to voice my support for Dedolights as well. I use them all the time and there isn't anything else out there that can do what they can. I nearly always call out a 4 head kit or more for every lighting package that I spec out. They are just so damn easy to use.

filmat11's comment about all the cords isn't true for all their heads. A number of the different sources have self contained ballasts so only a mains cord is required. The dimmer is a nice feature, but you can only go so far with them before the color temperature shifts too far. Barn doors are available for most of their heads and with the highly focused nature of these sources, the barn doors work better to cut light than any Fresnel.

If you haven't used them, rent a set for a project sometime. I am willing to bet you too will add them to your must have list.
 
khmuse said:
If you haven't used them, rent a set for a project sometime. I am willing to bet you too will add them to your must have list.
Click to expand...

Damn hard to find in Japan unfortunately.... looking for something comparable so I can take your advice.
 
I was not aware of the self contained model. Here in Iowa, the rental choices are sometimes inadequate. Good to know about these as an option in the future. I have only used the the Dedo lights about a dozen times in about 5 years. I do enjoy using them very much, but since I usually work with what I own, or get ala cart from our rental house, the self contained model is not an option, so I didn't know it was available. Thanks for the heads up..Cool lights indeed.
 
ncje said:
Damn hard to find in Japan unfortunately.... looking for something comparable so I can take your advice.
Click to expand...

I have yet to find anything that compares to the Dedolights (and I have been looking for a long time).

I am a bit surprised that any of the lighting / grip equipment rental houses don't offer them. Here is one place you might want to check out:

http://www.we-are-plannet.co.jp/
 
We typically use Cinequipt out of Des Moines. And sometimes out of their Minneapolis branch. On a rare occasion, we use Lights On, based out of Minneapolis as well.
Perhaps the local branches of these offices , just don't offer them. I guess I only think about Dedo's on special occasions, and don't remeber to think about adding them to one of my shoots. I will ask for them in the future....
Thanks KHmuse
 
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