Just tell me how bad these will be...

Sniper1154

Sniper1154

Well-known member
I'm shooting an old 50's sci-fi homage and am looking to get a cheap lighting setup that I could lug around for future projects. When the budget is a bit more friendly I plan on renting/buying; however I'm hoping these two sets will be sufficient for the interim. So, what can I expect using these? There doesn't seem to be much on them in regards to reviews on DVXuser or online in general:

[url]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00507HC9K/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A2ISCC5HPW8KU9

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050K3DW2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=A2ISCC5HPW8KU9
[/URL]
 
Sniper1154 said:
I'm shooting an old 50's sci-fi homage and am looking to get a cheap lighting setup that I could lug around for future projects. When the budget is a bit more friendly I plan on renting/buying; however I'm hoping these two sets will be sufficient for the interim. So, what can I expect using these? There doesn't seem to be much on them in regards to reviews on DVXuser or online in general:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00507HC9K/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A2ISCC5HPW8KU9

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050K3DW2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=A2ISCC5HPW8KU9
Click to expand...

I bought a package that looks almost identical to the second one, the CFL package. I wasn't expecting much... and wasn't disappointed... I bought mainly to get the light bulb fixtures.

The stands are flimsy, and since I have light stands that was not an issue. If you don't have stands... well... this is probably not a good package, because you will be having to buy more.

The Wife glommed on to one of the lights for her painting work... and does provide a nice light at 3 feet...

I bought the lights to test different wattage bulbs than the 45 W CFL's that were delivered, as well as rig the fixtures to my big softbox... again a 'pro' item, but only rated for 'strobes' not continuous hot lights. The small softboxes that come with the
package are sort of ok for some set of things. I did a product shot for the Wife's typewriter collection, and that was ok...

I'll be check them with 100 W CFL's in the near future. But at the moment, I'd look for some used 'quality'... if that's not available... well, buy them with the idea of 'learning' and then get quality...

Here's a sample: GH-1, still photo, single top light, bounce from left of camera to get "Corona" logo to look good.

attachment.php
 
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Thanks so much! I'd planned on using them to learn; however regarding the stands...is that something that I could weigh down with sandbags until I can pick up some better stands?
 
Yeah - I know in a lot of the Ed Wood films it's mostly hard lighting. I'd use the CFLs mostly for practice in my spare time; however if the redheads are a fire hazard I'll start looking elsewhere.

Thanks so much for all the help guys!
 
^Also be aware of the actual wattage that these kits really put out compared to the advertised wattage.
720 watts is a far cry from the advertised 3200 watts in the above kit.
 
you will get what you pay for........

dont go near the knockoff redheads, they will last you one job if you look after them....(sarcasm)

they also dont meet any electrical standards known to man.........(truth)

cant understand the need to put a cfl in a softbox.................how soft do you need the light........(sarcasm)

cheers
 
So since the resounding opinion of the redheads is that I'll end up starting a blistering inferno - does anyone have any recommendations of what I can use to capture that 50's feel? I've been perusing PCE and their prices are reasonable; however I admittedly am not as well versed in lighting as I wish. Would a few Arri 300s work for me in regards to achieving that hard lighting style?

Edit: I'm going to spend a lot of time perusing through the stickies and try to figure this out for myself. Again, I want to thank everyone who took the time to help "show me the light" about those particular redheads.
 
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Why don't you use little par flood lights? Not the best, but they are dirt cheap. Just need a screw in socket and a little bit of cable.
 
Sniper1154 said:
Thanks so much! I'd planned on using them to learn; however regarding the stands...is that something that I could weigh down with sandbags until I can pick up some better stands?
Click to expand...

No, the extension pieces are flimsy. But you could buy some used stands of higher quality, that would last you through the learning process, and give support for something better in the future... sort of a staged approached to getting quality stuff...
 
You can get nice light stands for really cheap on amazon. Just search for heavy duty light stand and read reviews

These:
http://www.amazon.com/Ravelli-Photo...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1326520495&sr=1-1

are my favorite. When I bought them they were 20 bucks. They are only 13 now which is ridiculous considering they are 10 feet, come with bags and are heavy duty. I like them better then the 'PBL" and cowboy studios light stands but if you get either of those in heavy duty they will be decent.

As for hard lights, get one used 300-600 watt fresnel. I personally bout three 650 watt desisti fresnels for just 150 bucks each. You want to have at least one so you can learn proper lighting. Fresnels are easier to control and have a very specific look. Also, I would probably use mainly fresnels if I were shooting a sci fi.

As for your cheap fill lights, PBL has some hard lights that are superior to the redhead copies for just a bit more. Search for them. They are shaped a bit like a work light but are way better and have barn doors etc. As long as you have one fresnel you can get one or two of these and you'll be good.
 
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So I've done a bit of research and a friend helped me set up a package; however I'd like to run it by you guys to get any thoughts/opinions. I'll be lighting a small Italian Restaurant (think bar lighting, very ambient but with decent natural lighting). Since it'll be a 50's Sci-Fi film I've come up with this package:

- Fresnel Junior
- Two (2) Fresnel Baby
- Arri 650
- 750 Softlight w/ Eggcrate

Seem good? Is it overkill?

A picture of the restaurant is attached https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&...ttid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=f_gxb5mlbr0&zw
 
Sniper1154 said:
So I've done a bit of research and a friend helped me set up a package; however I'd like to run it by you guys to get any thoughts/opinions. I'll be lighting a small Italian Restaurant (think bar lighting, very ambient but with decent natural lighting). Since it'll be a 50's Sci-Fi film I've come up with this package:

- Fresnel Junior
- Two (2) Fresnel Baby
- Arri 650
- 750 Softlight w/ Eggcrate

Seem good? Is it overkill?

A picture of the restaurant is attached https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&...ttid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=f_gxb5mlbr0&zw
Click to expand...

Looks like you are referring to a URL that requires a gmail account. If you can post the picture elsewhere, including here on you personal 'albums' area, it would perhaps facilitate getting feedback.
 
well it depends on the look you're going for, but first off i would say you don't have a lot of variety there. i would definitely suggest some smaller lights, and most importantly... i think you need more lights. again, it depends on what you're going for, but if you're needing to light that entire bar, you're going to want a lot of smaller lights thrown around with purpose, instead of just setting a big light or two up and getting a flat look (or worse, double shadows!).

the good news is this doesn't mean expensive, you could probably get away with rigging some regular softwhite lightbulbs or photofloods from home depot (china lanterns would be good here if you can keep them out of frame, otherwise look around and see what you can do... the fun part is, you don't always need the big professional lights). scoop lights could help illuminate the background areas without killing everything, and maybe you can find some flourescents to go alone behind the bar or something. (normally i would say do your best to make sure everything is properly balanced... but it's a bar. funky colors are accepted... IF that's the kind of bar/look you want)
 
I use CFL's and they can be pretty handy due to cheap light that's reasonably cool and good light output. In your choice up there tho those 45 watt bulbs won't give ya a heck of a lot of light. there are some other folks that have them obviously, but then, thats more money.

I'll give a Shout out to Work lights. 500w tungsten/Halogen, Comes in a safety frame and cheap as heck! You can buy 4 or five of them for the price of one of those kits. By some duct work sheet metal over at your local Home improvement center and make yer own barndoors. 4 of those, ya got 2k watts.

The thing I like I about the older films, at least the parts I remember best were besides the hard light, was the shape of the light on the talents face or body lots of butterflys, rembrandt, even light pouring thru shutters. I think I could pull that off with Shop lights.
 
Sniper1154 said:
So I've done a bit of research and a friend helped me set up a package; however I'd like to run it by you guys to get any thoughts/opinions. I'll be lighting a small Italian Restaurant (think bar lighting, very ambient but with decent natural lighting). Since it'll be a 50's Sci-Fi film I've come up with this package:

- Fresnel Junior
- Two (2) Fresnel Baby
- Arri 650
- 750 Softlight w/ Eggcrate

Seem good? Is it overkill?

A picture of the restaurant is attached https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&...ttid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=f_gxb5mlbr0&zw
Click to expand...

Looking at the bar, which is a nice looking joint! Could you perhaps hang some 500w or 750w bulbs in the fixtures that they have hanging there? I can't tell how big the fixtures are and I know those bulbs tend to be bigger..but if there's room, that could help to keep a natural light fall off look without making for too much work.
 
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