Lowell DV Creator .Thumbs up?

jacksdad

jacksdad

Member
Hello good people,
I'am looking at buying a lighting kit to use with my DVX100 and I came across a kit "DV CREATOR" on the B&H site consisting of three lights.Has anyone seen,used,bought this kit or does anyone have a better suggestion.It looks pretty tidy for $800 considering I'll be buying using euros.
Thanks in advance for any help.
 
which kit, specifically? and what do you think you will be doing with the lights, primarily?
 
I have the DVCreator 55 kit and think it's ok for what it is. But that kit comes with a Rifa which I think is an outstanding softbox and a is a big reason why I like the kit. This kit comes with a tota, an omni and a prolight. I love the omni and prolight, not too much use for the tota usually. I think Lowell kits are the best interview kits out there, I really do. But I would look and (and try to play with) a number of different kinds of lights first before I bought a kit for narrative work. But it's still a great starter kit that you can add to. For example, I have the Lowell kit, but I'm slowly adding some Arri lights to it. And a China Ball. Walter Graff showed us how to use one of these and it's the greatest thing since sliced bread!!

At the end of the day though, it's really not about the light but what you do with it (how you shape it). I know this is a trite expression but this seems to be REALLY true with lighting. You can buy the best light kit in the world, but if you're not using flags, reflectors, cookies, etc. it still won't look great (for narrative). So be sure to budget for 2 or 3 extra stands and some home depot spring clamps (at least) and then buy the best kit you can and practice.

Matt
 
By the way, for interviews, Walter has a method for using the Omni as key (bounced) and fill (or he uses a cheap homemade "Grafflite" that you can make for under $20 as fill - it's genius and you cant believe how good it looks). He then uses the prolite on a dimmer as a hair light.

This is a man who has interviewed EVERYONE and he hits the location with Lowels. So for interviews? Yes, I think it's a great kit.

Matt
 
I also have the Lowell 55 Kit.

I think the Lowell is a decent low-end light kit.

I agree with Matt though, I LOVE the softbox, it is my favorite light in the kit and I use it all the time.

So I guess, given a choice I would rather have a softbox by itself then the rest of the lights combined.

Chris
 
if you have the time, consider mentally taking apart and pricing each kit and every nitty part.

learn more about lighting for your specific needs

then figure out what you really need

in the past I have considered kits, (not wanting to spend the time piecing everything out and not knowing what exactly I needed)..but stopped myself and I am glad. the learning process is important, critical. in the end I saved A LOT of $$ by getting things piece by piece. my first big light purchase was a rifa 55, which I think is a great thing to have for FAST, almost fool proof, key lighting. of course there is a lot more to it, but I hope that helps.
 
Thanks for all the help lads.Taken on board.You pay for what you get & **** goes in brighter **** comes out.
 
You know Pooh, normally I would agree with you, but the 55 kit is really great value for the money - you get quite a bit. I'm pricing individual lights by Arri right now. Now if you buy these new AND you buy all the accessories, you're better off buying one of their kits. Of course that forces you to buy more lights than you may want however. But for interviews I really think the 55 is a hell of a kit. Add in a collapsable reflector, maybe a little graff light and some foam core and you're golden.

Matt
 
Jacksdad,

I have the exact kit you are talking about as well. I would agree with MattC in the fact that the omni and pro are very versatile lights, but it is a little harder use the omni. Sometimes I think it would be the same as just getting a high powered work light and replacing the omni with it. However, being able to use the stands and flags with the omni give it quite a bit more advantages than just a normal work light. I think what you get for your money in this case is absolutely great. Also, if you are just learning this kit is something that can really expand your horizons in my opinion. I would recommend this kit.
 
Thanks for the input TecGumbo.From reading the advice of your goodself and the lads I now think I need to upgrade to a kit that includes a Rifa55.
 
We bought the DV55 kit and I find it to be perfect for most of our needs. It seems like good quality hardware as well. We added a reflector and a couple of muslin backdrops to the order and we're good to go. The toughest thing about it is getting all the pieces back in the damned case! It's tight man!
 
Have your kit say cheeezee..

Have your kit say cheeezee..

To avoid the, where is the spot for this egg crate etc.:

When you first open up your kit, take a photo of the layout print it out and tape it to the inside cover, or cover pull down flap. (Of couse remove all of the bubble wrap etc. first)

This isn't so much just for you, but for everyone who has never seen where everything was in the first place.

This also helps avoid cross contamination if you have different kits.
 
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