I need brands for lights.

[AllAroundFilmLV]

I've decided that I'm going to buy my 3-point lighting by purchasing the lights individually used, rather than a cheaper kit that won't last long.

I know of Lowel, Arri, and Mole-Richardson. Are there any other reputable brands that are comparable to these three? I know Lowel is considered lower budget to Arri/Mole, but they are a great quality from my experience with them.

Any advice/links/past experiences?

 

[vcassel]

Mole Richardson are industry standard and generally cheaper, longer lasting, and easier to repair.

 

[ggrantly]

Those brands are the right ones for tungsten lighting. Are you considering flos?

Grant

 

[AllAroundFilmLV]

Not really. They're a little too flat. But I'm always willing to try out new lights.

 

[Mister Stocks]

I worked on a show that had some B&M Maclites on it. Seemed like a decent alternative to Mole-richardson. Altman is another brand, but I have no experience with them to say one way or the other.

Then for flos there is obviously Kinoflo. Never heard them called flat before, that's interesting.

Then there is Cool Lights, they are a sponsor here, I don't have any experience with them personally, but I hear good things and they are darn inexpensive.

That's all I can think of for now...

 

[PerroneFord]

I've decided that I'm going to buy my 3-point lighting by purchasing the lights individually used, rather than a cheaper kit that won't last long.

I know of Lowel, Arri, and Mole-Richardson. Are there any other reputable brands that are comparable to these three? I know Lowel is considered lower budget to Arri/Mole, but they are a great quality from my experience with them.

Any advice/links/past experiences?

Mole is king in Tungsten. Arri is an excellent lighting manufacturer as well. Lowel is nice if you need a lightweight set of lights. You can beat them up, but they are not built to anywhere NEAR the standard of a Mole or Arri. Doesn't mean they are bad though. I own some and have used many.

There are many other manufacturers of good lights, but non with the breadth of the first two. People like Barger, Kino, Litepanels, k5600, Kobold, LTM, etc. All of them have a niche within the market.


As an aside, if you are putting together a lighting kit for interviews, flat lighting is often VERY flattering. Especially for women. Try to bear that in mind. Hard lighting tends to show every pore, every wrinkle, etc. Flat lighting smooths the face, enhances make-up, and is far more flattering to older subjects. I do a number of interviews and PSAs with older people, and I certainly wouldn't do it with just hard lights.

 

[Paul Hudson]

As an aside, if you are putting together a lighting kit for interviews, flat lighting is often VERY flattering. Especially for women. Try to bear that in mind. Hard lighting tends to show every pore, every wrinkle, etc. Flat lighting smooths the face, enhances make-up, and is far more flattering to older subjects. I do a number of interviews and PSAs with older people, and I certainly wouldn't do it with just hard lights.

All very true, but I will say, and I am sure you will agree, with a "hard Light" there is always the opportunity to soften it with a box or small silk or even diffusion on the barn doors. Conversely, one cannot make a softlight hard.

For those anong us not fortunate enough to have a whole arsenal of lights maybe the hardlight is the way to go.

Yes, and I too strongly recommend the Moles. However, a few brands not mentioned earlier are LTM and Ianaro/Desisti.

 

[PerroneFord]

All very true, but I will say, and I am sure you will agree, with a "hard Light" there is always the opportunity to soften it with a box or small silk or even diffusion on the barn doors. Conversely, one cannot make a softlight hard.

I agree 100%. My only reservation is that new purchasers of lighting, are often not well prepared to learn grip, or may simply not be able to afford it. It's HIGHLY encouraging the OP is willing to look at used professional lighting rather than some EBay kit, but that may still not leave much in the way for a decent softbox, or c-stands, or similar. It's something which needs to be weighed on a per-user basis according to budget.

For those anong us not fortunate enough to have a whole arsenal of lights maybe the hardlight is the way to go.

Perhaps true.

Yes, and I too strongly recommend the Moles. However, a few brands not mentioned earlier are LTM and Ianaro/Desisti.

Good gracious how did I forget those. Excellent additions.

 

[slondon]

I always agree with you two.

Also, softness can always be gotten cheaply from hard lights by bounce from an inexpensive piece of foamcore or beadboard or showcard or even a wall or ceiling.

I also very frequently use hard sources as edge lights from behind on hair, cheek, or shoulders. Gelling these to be warm, white or cold and controlling the intensity and using diffusion on the doors allows for a lot of control over the look.

In addition to all the brands mentioned above, all of which I own, I'd add Lee/Colortran/Leviton and Strand. And what's that nicely made lamp from Argentina, I think?

I don't have any lights from China and have always appreciated the durability and long-lasting quality of the brands above.

 

[AllAroundFilmLV]

I ended up purchasing the Lowel DV Creator 1 kit from B&H.

I'm going to start saving for Arri's and/or Mole Richardson's for future shoots.

 

[Mark A. Beal]

Those are very useful lights and while they not nearly as robust as Arri or Mole, Lowels are really not a bad choice for a personal kit that doesn't have to live with the constant abuse of uncaring renters and grips -- they're light and very, very versatile. I have access to both Lowel and Arri lights (among others) and actually find myself grabbing the Lowel lights more often than the others.