Most awesomess lightkit ....

I own that same lowel kit you have pictured. I bought it around 3 years ago. It has served me well. It's definitely not as robust as arri or mole but if taken care of, it will work for a long time. The best part about it is the rifa. Really nice design and beautiful light. The omni and tota are open face so really only good for bounce or with a crapload of diffusion in most cases. However, the tota puts out a LOT of light so bouncing off of a ceiling or bounceboard gives a ton of nice soft ambient light. The pro light is handy. It's almost a fresnel. It's basically a pepper. Great for accents or backlight.

One thing, if you get this kit, go for the soft case. The lowel hard cases break after a while.
 
Just wanted to chime in on britek as well. My experience with them has been bad all around. They are plastic, melty, unreliable pieces of crap. But hey, you get what you pay for. I guess if you really baby them, and rarely shoot, they might be ok. I own one of the 600/1200w open faces with a softbox. It has broken so many times. It's rigged up and I rarely use it.

My .02
 
Exactly.

You have good intentions going in, but reality hits you in the face and things happen. You end up on a shoot and things are breaking on you left and right. It breaks bulbs, the fuse goes for absolutely no reason, or most likely bad circuitry of the unit and then you wait around wasting time, and time is money. So are you saving? Absolutely not, in fact your spending money on a product you will be replacing, so don't cheap out on lights.
 
Lowell is not nearly as bad as Britek but it is surely not a heavy duty kit. You would be better off taking this money and buying good used Mole, or the like in Ebay.
 
mule ferguson said:
http://www.cowboystudio.com/product/c16/p16-01.php

Better than work lights!

Mule Ferguson
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What's wrong with this picture? There is a huge price difference between this kit: http://www.cowboystudio.com/product/c16/p16-02.php and this kit: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=285929&is=REG

Is there as big a difference in quality for the devices and the lighting?

I have used that Lowel kit several times and was not that impressed.

Mule have you used the CowboyStudio lights? If so do you have any pictures of the setup and frame grabs of resulting footage?
 
Difference in lighting? No
Difference in quality? you bet. You get what you pay for, never forget that.
 
PaPa said:
Difference in lighting? No
Difference in quality? you bet. You get what you pay for, never forget that.
Click to expand...

I don't know about that, after all aren't we all here because we're using the 7D? If I had the attitude that you get what you pay for then I would have purchased a Red or another EX3.

Price is not a true indicator of quality. It certainly can be, but the Lowel kit is about $1300 and it was the quality of the kit that I didn't like and the lighting is very harsh.

I'm certainly not opposed to spending money for good quality but I'm tired of spending a lot of money for overpriced "branded" products.

If we're going to help each other on these forums we need to share our experiences knowing that if we're even attempting to do production with a 7D we're probably on a smaller budget and just like the camera itself we're looking for products that provide good value.
 
Chucks, what are you talking about man? we are talking about a lighting fixture not a camera. The point of this thread was the help give an educated response as pertaining to a lighting fixture question. I am sharing my knowledge, not my educated guess. I have practical experience and I'm trying to help someone from making a mistake and wasting money, which is why i offered and suggested taking a look at cool lights, so is it alwasy the case that you get what you pay for ? No? is it the case here, yes.

Want to talk about helping each other on the forums? Sorry, but I have done nothing but that and continue to offer criticism based on experiences that are geared to help everyone here. Small budget doesn't mean you should pay for what you can afford, simply because you can. If you're on a tight budget, rent. don't waste your money like i did back in the day on a product that will cause more headaches and frustrations than anything else.

No sense in arguing the point anymore, do what you want. It's your mistake to make.
 
My comment was regarding your platitude that you get what you pay for, never forget that.

If that is the answer to which camera, lighting kit or whatever, then simply purchase or rent the most expensive products.

Clearly that isn't what you meant is it?

I'm not questioning your willingness or ability to help but then you make the comment " do what you want. It's your mistake to make." what makes you think I'm making a mistake. The point of this thread is to try to avoid mistakes whether that's paying too much for an Arri 125W HMI or purchasing a 2000 Watt Lighting Softbox Video Light Kit from CowboyStudio.

Since Mule referenced this kit I simply asked for clarification, is he recommending it or did he just run across this online?


Have you used this kit? Do you know something specific about it that you would like to share or are you just stating that it mustn't be worth exploring because it is different from the one you recommended?

I agree, Cool lights are great, but maybe the right answer is a combination of light fixtures. But the chance of now getting useful relevant information that would help others make an informed decision are now greatly reduced because no one needs the pissing contest.

If you know something about the kit Mule referenced please enlighten us, if you don't please keep your platitudes to yourself.

Just a thought.
 
I have a rebranded kit identical to the cowboy studio one. The softboxes and CFL bulbs are ok but the stands are garbage.

I also have 2 of the coolights 600 LED floods and they're great. Next purchase is a couple of the coolights CDMs.
 
Go back and reread carefully to which product I am refering. Not going to waste my time arguing this with you.
 
jetaddiction@mac.com said:
hey squid did you get the flexxy softbox with your cool light 600 led ? do you use them much?
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Na I didn't get the softboxes, I have the CFL softbox kit when I need a softer light but I like to really isolate my subjects so the coolights with barn doors are ok but I want to get their CDMs for more isolation and focus. I shot my betrayal fest entry with just the 2 coolights and a few small $10 worklights with 20w 5000k CFL bulbs for backlighting.
 
PaPa said:
If you're on a tight budget, rent. don't waste your money like i did back in the day on a product that will cause more headaches and frustrations than anything else.
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I think this is really good advice. As a new filmmaker, renting is the way to go. Especially with proper planing in pre-production.
 
I dont live in the USA so renting is not an option for me .... the jobs that I get will pay for the lightkit .
Havent made my mind up yet... just done fixing my car :)
 
Everts said:
for my 7d with 28-135mm lens and hmc 150
link
285929.jpg


Would this be it ?
These cameras do better and are cleaner with a good amount of light..
I would like to use them for mostly head shots , two person dialogue scenes ......and maybe some greenscreen lighting . I'll probably need more light for that .
And I thought I'd post this here cause nobody is talking about lights anymore these days ...what's up with that ?:)
Any other suggestions are welcome


Thanks,

Everts
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I have all those lights. Tne Rifa light (500w 750w 100w)is the best and easiest to work with. It's a contained soft bag so there are no light leaks. The Tota is a hot little light and requires a lot of extra control, also be prepared to wear dark sunglasses when walking behind it. The DP 1k the a great and durable light with tough doors. I have 3 and they can add a lot of fill in light to a large space but may need blue gells to cool them down.
Lighting takes a lot of time to get good at it and the Lowel lights are harder to work with but can get you there the same. I got tired of fighting with them and bought 2 Arri 650s and an Arri 1k Fresnel along with the Rifa 750. Those 4 lights are great for a small set or interior.
I have to say though that the Lowel DP lights pack a lot of punch for such a small light weight lamp in a larger room like a factory they will actually give you an extra stop or two to pop area details out where a 650 Arri won't be seen.
The Rifa lite is a great light, that fits in a carry bag. It's very soft and good for portrait work. That along with 2 spots is all you really need to get started.
They are all good and all have a place. The Arris are softer and easier to work with, but the Lowels are far more powerful. Can't go wrong with any of them. Here is my nasty little Lowel Kit. This is more what they look like than the nice sales photo above. I don't always use them, but always drag em along everywhere. Forget the kit box they sell, they are too big and expensive. This is a cheapo carry on bag I had around that fits three 1k PDs and two 1k Totas. I love them and I hate them, but the always came through even as recent as yesterday.
Collect as many lights as you can, you will use them as long as you use a camera. Find some used ones on Ebay. Maybe you can get your kit for 50% less than new.
 

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Box said:
I've been planning on buying the Lowel Super Ambi Kit

287723.jpg


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/287723-REG/Lowel_TORP_955_Super_Ambi_Kit.html

From what I can tell it'll be pretty much everything I would need for a mostly indoor narrative with my 7D.
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Yes it'll get the job done. Let me give you something to think about. I am currently working on a low budget film directed by a famous director with some very famous actors shot by a very famous DP on super 16mm. All recent Oscar nominated individuals. You know what we're using to light interiors: china balls, kino flos, homemade strip lights (wood baton strips with sockets wired on them), and the in shot set dressed lamps. Aside from the kinos the cost for the rest is almost nothing.
 
Great value

Great value

Everts said:
for my 7d with 28-135mm lens and hmc 150
link
285929.jpg
Click to expand...


Here's my 2-cents...

I have this exact kit, and it has served me very well for the last 10 years. The only addition I have is 1 more Tota light (for a total of 2).

It works for everything I shoot - interviews, green screen, straight-to-camera, drama, performances, etc. It's a really nice all-in-one kit. I highly recommend it. For traditional documentary/news/corporate video work, you'd be hard-pressed to find a situation it isn't suited for.

Also, I agree with other posts that the Rifa Softbox is terrific. Way easier and faster to set up than the Chimera. I actually have the smaller case (which is better for transport) and just keep the Rifa light in my run bag. It's been everywhere and it hasn't broken. I've even used it as a makeshift applebox for talent when I needed to, so you know it's heavy duty.

Hope this was helpful. Good luck with your purchase.

I guess that was more like 25 cents. Oh well...

Peter
formerly Me Myself & I
 
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