Lighting kit

D10S

D10S

Well-known member
I've just completed my first year of business with my own company. For the first year I got by with an inexpensive JTL softbox set-up, with one Lowel Pro light. It actually worked just fine for most of the work which is shooting interviews.

For my second year I'd like to upgrade my lighting. I'm considering for my main lights either 2 1000w Arri's with softboxes (Chimera etc.) or 2 Lowel 1000w Rifa lights, or a pair of Kino Flo Diva 400's.

I plan for now to use the JTL and Lowel for fill and backlight, and eventually replace the JTL's completely.

With money not being a big issue, what would you recommend? Pros and cons on each?
 
Yes, interviewing is the main purpose....but I also want it to be usable for lighting small green screen set up's etc....

Right now the JTL's are 500w softbox lights. I could use more light in some interview situations, especially when I'm using the Letus on my HVX200. That is why I'd like a couple 1000w soft lights.
 
Everyone is going to have a different opinion on this but I will be glad to give my two cents.

If had to pick I would choose the Arri's. The are most versatile of the lights you listed. Add the Chimera and you have a nice soft light but remove it and you can use it as a hard source. This is something the Diva or the Rifa will not do. My other problem with the Rifa is, the construction is not that rugged. The front diffuser tends to tear over time and the Diva's lamps will shift colors fairly rapidly.

Both the Diva and the Riva are fine lights I just would not want them as my primary kit lights IMHO.
 
While I like my RIFA 1K very much, I have to agree with Paul and echo his sentiments. Though I do much prefer not having to fool with speed rings and the like.
 
I use Arri's almost exclusively, D10S. Very rugged.

I too shoot a lot of interviews and sometimes lean on a Diva 400 for 5.6k balanced lighting. It offers a soft yet strangely directional light. However, depending on the size of the screen, the Diva 400 may not provide enough punch for green screen.

If you are ever going to use a 35mm Adaptor, you may find that using either an Arri 1k + Chimera or the Diva 400 as a key can leave you wanting more.


Jason
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top