AC90: Inexpensive light kit for interviews

denzlite

denzlite

Active member
I was thinking about getting this light kit ... is there something under 200 that would be better for simple one person interviews?

Impact Soft and Natural Single Socket 2 Light Kit

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/945055-REG/impact_soft_and_natural_single.html

I'm also looking at this one, but for some reason I like the idea of softboxes better than straight LED - though I have absolutely no basis for that whatsoever:
[h=1] Bescor LED-95DK2 Dual LED Light Kit [/h]http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/819592-REG/Bescor_LED_95DK2_LED_95DK2_Dual_LED_Light.html
 
I had a friend teaching an "on camera" acting class who needed a couple o soft lights. She also had a limited budget and we got something very similar to the B&H Impact ones you link to, however they were for incandescent bulbs and not florescent bulbs. You know what, they worked out great!

One thing, the incandescent bulb ones could be put on an inexpensive dimmer, which was very helpful to her. I don't think you'll be able to use a dimmer on those florescent bulbs. They will flicker badly.

Conversely, the flos can be bought with varying color temperature which may prove very useful in providing daylight soft lights as well as tungsten.
 
I tried working with a couple of those inexpensive floro softboxes once. They don't have a lot of output, and the color is a little funky. I would never waste money on them.

It may be a little more than you want to spend, and they certainly run hotter as they are tungsten, but THIS little kit can actually pack a punch for interviews.
 
Thanks all.

Alex, I'd love to go Lowell quality if I had 600 to work with - but I've only got around 200 ...
 
Rent until you can buy something better. You can always build rental costs into your invoice.
 
You can buy the "Impact" kit under varous other brands from Ebay for less than a third what B&H is asking, just search "video light" but like Alex says, it's a waste of money. A 3X5 bulb fluoro kit is better (also several on EBay around $120), brighter and you can adjust the amount of light (in steps). They're still funky and a pain to set up but they might be OK for you as a start.
 
There's actually a lighting section on DVXuser... the lights you're looking at aren't really specific to a particular camera model. Just sayin'...
 
CFL kits are good value for money and have come a long way since they were introduced. I found that softboxes are a pain to assemble so I tend to use a single CFL 125W 5500K light bounced into an umbrella. On eBay you will find you can get a set of two stands, umbrellas and 2 light fitting and lamps for less than $100 and they work well. Nice soft natural light .. I also have a 9 x CFL head that I also bounce back into an umbrella and that provides switchable light levels and well within your budget! I bought a backdrop kit yesterday with a background stand, 3 muslin backgrounds and two 125W CFL lamps with stands and a white and silver umbrella for each light ( 4 total) and it cost me a mere $109!! including free shipping...Can't do better than that!!
 
I've used a kit like that before in a pinch... it's useable. The fixtures are somewhat fragile plastic, so you'll only have them for a little while before they crumble, but as long as you treat them with kid gloves, they'll throw a bit of light.

Instead of CFL bulbs of any sort (which I hate), I'd recommend modern LED bulbs: specifically CREE brand (available through Home Depot).
http://www.homedepot.com/b/Electric...e bulb_pmt_e&gclid=CLvUwMbArMACFQto7AodvwgAHQ

Both the daylight (~5000K) and 'soft white' (~2700K) versions look very nice on video... I carry a bunch around just to replace practicals on locations. They're also dimmable and not horrendously expensive.

Not certain on the room available inside the soft box, but you can also punch them up with a 2, 3, or 4-way splitter like these:
http://www.ls-photostudio.com/shop/...p-bulbs-adapter-holder-ul-approved-4-in1.html

I think there are some via amazon as well.
 
I have been using this guy set up for 2 years now. Just love it. It is a little pain to transport, but I saved a bunch of money. I shoot 1080 and 59.94 interlaced. With this setup I have no flicker.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBPDSBCoN2c

I also film a lot of green screen with these lights, works perfect too.
You can make 2 big lights for under 300.00
My clients think they are expensive video lights, I never told them I bought them from the hardwood store.
Make sure you do some tests shots first and use a good white card to setup your white balance.
I hang mine up in the basement for safe storage.
 
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