Looking to pick up a basic lighting kit.

Adam J McKay

Adam J McKay

Veteran
I currently am rocking the El Mariachi hardware lamps with wax paper diffusers and think it's about time to step it up. I was looking at Britek and while some people say they are absoulte garbage, others love them, what's the opinion on here about the Britek's.

How about the Lowell kits. I noticed a couple solid kits for 1500 with stands softboxes etc, whats the experiences like with the lowell?

Smith Victor?

suggestions?


Thanks,
 
Hey,

My first light kit was a Britek kit, I still have it for backup, there's nothing wrong with Britek at all. Anyone who says they are garbage is obviously more concerned with aesthetic appeal than functionality. They don't look like "real" cinema lights, thus people are skeptical and if you bring them on a pro shoot people will probably snicker. Heck, people snicker at my Indie Dolly and it works perfectly, it's as smooth as ANY dolly could possibly be, it's 100% smooth and works great, but it's just not a well known dolly so people expect to have a Fisher or whatever. I never get that, if the dolly works it works. It's not rocket science. If I get great shots then what's the problem? Same with lighting.

I eventually upgraded my light kits to three Arri lighting kits that are really nice, but ultimately I don't think the Britek kit is bad I just joke around that they are kind of Mickey Mouse lights, I mean they're not professional looking but for the price they are great. The only bad thing is the 1K lights don't have flood and spot, they are just always on flood. But you can put soft boxes over them and that works fine.

If you're looking for a good run-and-gun kit I would say Britek is a nice option. For about $995 you can get two 1Ks, two 650s, and a 300, plus soft boxes, gels, gloves, extra bulbs, stands, etc. That's a pretty nice price.
 
I'd steer clear of Smith Victor. I've used them for multiple shoots. HATED them. They have a god awful build and assembling them is pain.
 
for 1200 bucks I can get a nice lowell kit.
Is lowell a step up from the britek?
My problem is I need something that looks semi professional as I mentioned before my Home Deport hardware lamps with wax paper diffusers arnt exactly the most pro looking things to bring to a commercial shoot. And sadly image is part of the deal when your working with law firms etc.
 
For around $1300 you could get yourself a great kit from Cool Lights.

One 1k, two 650w, one 300w, and 4 stands. That's a pretty solid set up in my opinion.
 
Lowel is a huge step up from the DIY-class manufacturers. Lowel is professional equipment, but it's not inexpensive. Lowel's main claim to fame is tiny size. Lots of people buy them for their light kits because they think they're cheap, but they're not. Lowel's just as expensive as anyone else, but their gear is very small and cleverly designed.

Cool Lights is DIY stuff for someone who doesn't want to DIY. I've had good results with Britek stuff as well. I know some people hate 'em, but my own experience with 'em has been fine.
 
Yeah I would agree that image is very important, it sounds funny but that's why I bought all Arri lights -- they are nice, solid, professional lights. I like their look better than Mole, not that it matters, but Arri is quality and when people see those lights on a set they know you have pro equipment. The same is true with other stuff like matte boxes, a porta-jib, etc. It all contributes to someone's impression that you're a pro and know what you're doing.

That's one reason I'm picking up a Mac Pro this next week, hopefully Monday, with a CalDigit RAID external hard drive system and AJA card, etc. I want to have a fully professional editing setup and when I call in clients to see their work and we're using a MacBook Pro it just isn't professional. Real companies don't edit on MacBook Pros for their final output usually, and not to mention it's annoyingly slow. But the image is a factor in my purchasing decision.
 
I'm actually shopping around for a light kit myself and wonder what to go with. Omega Broadcast here in Austin said they could sell me a used 3 light kit with (2) 1k Lowell Omnis and a 750 tota light, 3 stands, an umbrella and a gel frame for $1100.

What do you guys think about that setup? Worth $1100?
 
Carlos Corral said:
I'm actually shopping around for a light kit myself and wonder what to go with. Omega Broadcast here in Austin said they could sell me a used 3 light kit with (2) 1k Lowell Omnis and a 750 tota light, 3 stands, an umbrella and a gel frame for $1100.

What do you guys think about that setup? Worth $1100?
Click to expand...

I am not sure who at Omega told you Omni's were 1K. They are designed to be lamped with a DYS 650 watt bulb. That said, if the kit is in good shape the deal is not too bad.
 
Thanks for the help guys, I went ahead and picked up a cheap britek set for 400 bucks. 3 1k halogens, stands, 2 soft boxes. I also picked my up some indie focus accesories, including a follow focus set up as well as the shoulder mount rods set up, so when I get either the LEX of the SG I wont need to worry about ordering rods etc.

Ill post up some pics when it's all here.
 
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