Lighting kit - under $900

*CHAOSMONGER*

*CHAOSMONGER*

Member
Hi, I'm italian, so forgive my bad english.
I'm searching a lighting kit under 700 euro ($900), with the following specifications:

_al least 1500 total WATT
_at least 3 heads
_focus spot/flood

in order to illuminate interior scenes (not interview, not studio, ecc), but bedrooms, diningrooms, halls, etc... to recreate both conditions: daylight and night with fluorescent lights (I know that the two cases needs different temperature 3.2K and 5.6K, but I thought to start with 3.2K and change it with gelly and/or filters)

searching on the web I have found these 3 kits:

1_NRG http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=38707&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

2_SMITH-VICTOR http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=48830&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

3_LOWEL http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=285817&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation


OTHER SUGGESTIONS?

Why Lowel cost more?

:love4:
 
For a starter kit, any of the kits you mention will work. There are more similarities than differences between them. However, if your goal is just to "bounce" the light onto the ceilings of the rooms you're shooting in, why not just use some inexpensive halogen work lights? Then, put your money towards a really good softbox system (Photoflex Starlite and Silverdome, for example), a domestic daylight balanced fluorescent kit and some basic grip and electric stuff, such as pop-up reflectors and dimmers. Oh, and maybe a domestic 8W fluorescent for an on-camera "Litepanel" type light. That's a much better way to spend $500, in my humble opinion.

Oh, and for what it's worth, here is a music video I lit with only two 40 Watt incandescent light bulbs for the talent and some 12" soft-white fluorescent tubes in the windows. It's kinda lame, I know that. But, my point is that if you learn to work with a little, you'll be more prepared, more creative, and more efficient when you have all the toys available to you on the bigger shoots. Good luck.

http://homepage.mac.com/thisiswells/Pray.mov
 
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I wouldn't buy one of those kits. I'd assemble used lights if I were you. Much better bang for your buck. Get a few china balls - these are great adding an overall softlight and raising the overall light level in the scene. They can be put on stands and are even light enough to just paper tape to the ceiling. Then you can get maybe 2 650's and a 300 fresnel off ebay to sculpt with. That's my suggestion.
 
Well, out of the kits you put in the post the NRG looks like the best bang for the buck. They have focus ability (which is probably a little limited but it is there) and the Smith-Victors don't.

Putting together used lights form other places is a good idea however finding theses things on E-bay is not an easy experience. Any light that is a name brand goes for a high price in comparision and there are a ton of people looking and bidding. You also have to figure out your time invested and when you need the lights.

If you can check E-bay every day and can wait for auctions to end and then not worry if you don't win it is fine. But I'd suggest that getting a kit or buying cherry picked lights from a dealer will save you time and money in the long run and allow you to actually spend time learning how to use the lights.

So what if you saved a few dollars but it took two or three weeks to find the lights. Get a kit (or seperate new lights) now that you can use and when you have out grown those sell what you have and add better.

If you get a basic kit like the NRG and then fill in with a few really cheap wotk lights or some off the shelf consumer flos and some white board you will be covered for a while and be able to then know what you really need and when you are ready to buy better you will also be buying smarter because you will know more of what your needs are.

Walter Graph has a DVD for sale about how to light headshots (it's called "HEADSHOTS") if you are doing sit down interviews and he shows how to do a basic set up that looks really great and he makes it clear that the lights don't matter as much as technique.

I'm no expert, I'm learning as well, but these are some of the conclusions I have come to.
 
Kelly brings up a good point. Buying used is slow, cumbersome and time consuming. If you're not in a hurry, though, it's worth it. I finally got some used moles and it really is MUCH nicer working with them. Not only does the fresnel lens make for a more pleasing light visually, having a truly focusable light makes a world of difference in ease of use. Don't know anything about those NRG's, but out of the three you chose, it looks the best to me. I think Lowel's are way overpriced for what you get.
 
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