Lowel DV Creator 44 Kit, help?

kyrre

kyrre

Well-known member
Hi guys,

I've been recommended by my local store to buy one of their Lowel DV Creator kit 44. But I've seen a fair few on these boards not being to happy about Lowel. I am a total newb as for lighting gear, but have some very basic knowledge on how to light.

My crew has just been established, for the most part making commercials and documenteries high-speed for cheap bucks. :)

We need something easy and quick to assemble and take apart, and easy to travel with. So will this kit suit us if we treat it with some caution?

Thanks!
 
Hey,
I have a fair amount of expirence when it comes to that kit, I use one just about everyday at my school making short films, music videos, and news broadcasts. YES, I am a student but trust me though.
 
Opps, sorry i posted that without finishing. Its a good kit for what we do though if you have to light a larger space it's really hard. Though for what my two cents are worth i would say for what it sounds like your doing tjis should work well. Although, I feel Kino flows work much better, unfortunatly they are a $1000 a peice. You can make your own though, http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=62581&highlight=ghetto
I made some similar to these and they work quite well, and cost a lot less. Though thats just my opinion. I hope this helps.
 
Thanks!

I think I'll just buy the kit, it would be great have something ready for tight and fast shoots. And I'll just rent it if i need something bigger and stronger.
 
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Wow, Stavanger Norway. I remember stopping there once when flying from Heathrow to Bergen. I seem to recall seeing a lot of little islands in that part of Norway. Its a very pretty part of the world.
 
I have this kit and as previously mentioned it is a decent little kit, but for larger rooms it is really not enough. I am primarily a director, so I generally rely upon the DP or the production company to supply the lights. However when on a smaller shoot or for interviews, these work well. Anything larger and I rent.
 
Hi Kyrre,

The Tota 800W is definitely a hard light so unless you're planning to use the umbrella for your close-up documentaries and commercials, you should buy some lower wattage bulbs like the "LMFDN FDN Studio Lamp" (500watt). Be sure to buy lots of extra bulbs and the Lowel case (w/foam) to hold them and *NEVER* touch the bulbs with your fingers (body oil makes them explode when they heat up).

You'll also need some reflectors for outside work. You might want to start with: Westcott Reflectors Illuminator Reflector Kit 6-in-1 - 42" Square - Full-Stop Diffusion, Two-Stop Diffusion, Silver, Gold, Sunlight and White Mfr# 1032 B&H# WEIR6142 $100 and Westcott Illuminator Arms Mfr# 1100 B&H# WEAIR $58 ea (you can reuse your Lowel tripods with these)

And by all means, don't miss the most important purchase of all for a novice - dv enlightenment DVD by dvcreators.net You'll learn a ton about how to use your Lowels, reflect them off walls, how to use cookies, gels, etc.

Have fun, Michael
 
kyrre said:
Hi guys,

I've been recommended by my local store to buy one of their Lowel DV Creator kit 44. But I've seen a fair few on these boards not being to happy about Lowel. I am a total newb as for lighting gear, but have some very basic knowledge on how to light.


Thanks!
Click to expand...
I have a DV Creator 55 and like it quite a bit for the money. Be sure to get the hard case instead of the soft one. I was in Norway a couple of years ago. Incredible.
 
Lowel light are good lights but not exceptional. I have accomplished some great projects with Lowels. I don't enjoy the heat issues you have to consider working with any Lowel Light.

Some precautions with the kit:
  • Watch your screws. Always verify the tension is set. I have had Omni and Tota fall apart because the frame assembly expansions from the heat of the lamp.
  • Get a great set of leather gloves.
  • When working with hot lights, have a small fire extinguisher and a fire blanket.
  • Get different light stands than the standard Lowel one.
These light get very hot when using them. I have seen people who want to cool them quickly by sitting them outside, do not consider this. When running any tungsten kit, let it cool slowly and consider fire harzards. Watch your amps and electical circuits. Maintenance and safety is my primary recommendation when working and considering this kit.
 
Hi, Kyrre, are you Kyrre from GHL? I'm also looking for a lighting kit and my biggest problem is that there's nobody selling lights in Norway. There's 2mtv (they sell Lowel) and Video 4 (they sell Ianiro), no Arri or anything else...

Tipper du har snakket med 2mtv siden du bor i stavanger, men vet du av noen andre steder å skaffe lys? Hurra for Norge forresten!
 
If you have no other lights, then the DV creator EZ is a good way to get in.
We got ours with the Rifa-45 the p2 spotlight, tota, and DP.

Every shoot we go to, we use the Softbox and p2 spotlight. If we do a 2shot we always buy another spotlight. The tota is good for lighting up backgrounds (so if you cut a patern in some cardboard and mount it in front it can really make it look nice. and the omni is good for bouncing up off the ceeling and lighting up whole rooms.

Its really a very versitale kit, and has all the stands you need. Oh, also includes gels, but they aren't big enough for the softbox.

HOWEVER: You may want to invest in some dimmers, either get someone to make them for you, or buy really expensive ones. Sure they may change the temprature of your lights, but you can always white ballance for it. Trust me it's saved me so many times.

In short: It really is an excelent kit for taking around and shooting quickly. Its small, quick to set up, and gets the job done for what a lot of small production companies do.
 
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