Kino Flo Mini-Flo - Value?

B

borax

Active member
Hi,

I am looking into getting the 2 light set of the Kino flo Mini-flo lights. The purpose of this would to mainly light car interiors but I was wondering how useful they are beyond just car interiors?

I live in NY and was wondering if they can be used to light very small apartment interiors for video?

Would you buy them??

Thanks
 
Does it output the same intesity of light?

Does the KinoFlo brand offer any major advatages over the alternative fixture seeing as you can use the same bulbs in both?
 
borax said:
Does the KinoFlo brand offer any major advatages over the alternative fixture...
Click to expand...

Yes, of course; the KinoFlo is a MUCH better fixture, both in functionality (I believe it's dimmable) AND STURDINESS, longevity, and user-friendliness. Well EVERYTHING really. It's just much, much better.

The solution the link is in reference to is a super-low-cost alternative for a cheaply made Chinese light. It can use the same Kino-Flo bulb, so light quality is [somewhat] the same. I suspect the Kino-Flo will put out a bit more light though.

One of these is hundreds of dollars, the other thirty bucks.
 
By the way, I'd say in 99 out of 100 cases even the KinoFlo (mini) alone will nowhere near be enough to light an apartment, even if that apartment is 10 x 10 ft.
 
borax said:
Hi,

I am looking into getting the 2 light set of the Kino flo Mini-flo lights. The purpose of this would to mainly light car interiors but I was wondering how useful they are beyond just car interiors?

I live in NY and was wondering if they can be used to light very small apartment interiors for video?

Would you buy them??

Thanks
Click to expand...
Don't buy them! I used to have them for about 5 years and only used them about 10 times! It's such a specialized light that it's only for car interiors, yes, you can use it indoors, but only as a hidden practical source, and there are chepaer alternatives for that. And you need to buy a 120v adapter or be carrying arond car battery. You can use them for product shots, but again, very specialized ones. My adviced, don't buy them! if your eally need them better rent them. I sold mine for about 500 USD about a year ago. To a rental house. The biggest mistake I've made when buying lights.
 
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They are indeed a specialized light, and they are perfect for car interiors. I rent them when I need them. I have used them to light up people's faces when they are looking at computers, and have even placed them behind and inside of bottles. And as mentioned above, they are great for small product photography, and can be hidden easily. There is even a Micro version of these as well, About the size of a pencil.
For the price of them, I might seriously consider putting your money towards other lights and /or gear you have on your wish list. If I had a lot of disposable cash, I might consider owning a set. But I suggest you rent them first, and use them first hand before investing in this unique light source.
 
Hi all:

Thats exactly what drove me to "discover" my cheap alternative, the Amerelle lights. The Kino Mini Flo kits costs $829.00 new at FilmTools. Nice, but like all Kinos, grossly overpriced. The cheapo Chinese lights will get you basically a similar result at 1/10th the cost. Sure, the Kinos are better but if you only occassionally need these, the cheap lights are a great value.

Best,

Dan
 
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I own a 2' 4 bank, but doubt that I could justify the Mini's as they are very specialized. I too would recommend that you rent most of your lighting. Its OK to buy something that you will use on nearly every shoot, but these are not that type of fixture; there just too specialized to justify owning.
 
What would you suggest for documentary shooting? I had used the miniflo in the past (had a PA with a backpack full of batteries holding it for interviews).

I had considered Vidleds as a replacement, but i am just not sure if they will put out enough light in the real world. I have the Videled coolsticks and they are great when starting in a dark area. But for on the run interviews I need something powerful..

Any suggestions for miniflo alternatives? Will I be fine with Vidleds - maybe two of them stacked?

Thanks
 
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