My First Lighting Kit

M

Michael Hackney

New member
Hi. I was looking into getting a lighting kit and have read that for the money Lowel may be the best way to go. I have googled for lighting kits and for Lowel lighting kits, but there are so many that come up. I'm not sure what all the different types of lights in each kit are and why one is better than the other.
I'm thinking that spending between $800 - $1500 sounds good for now. I will mainly be lighting for indie films, music videos, commercials, events, so I guess maybe a versatile package would be good. I'm just overwhelmed with all the options and really need your advice/ help. I am currently using an HV20 with a Brevis adapter. Thanks a lot and happy Independence Day to those of you in the U.S.
 
Hi Michael.

FWIW, later this month I will probably be shooting some documentary interviews on (the producer's) HV20-Brevis35-Nikons combo.

Scared spitless at the prospect of shooting upside-down and WFO on a lens with maybe 6" of focus, I too decided the only practical option was some sort of grab and go light kit, and that the best source for those was Lowel. Their website has an educational section with a lot of good examples demonstrating the difference between hard and soft sources, classic 3-point lighting, etc.

I was hoping for as much versatility as you are, so in the end I settled on the DV Creator 44 kit (a pro, an omni, a tota and a rifa). I managed to find an opened, but never used kit on eBay, then basically blew the difference between the eBay price and full retail by picking up some Lowel accessories (tota-mount, tota-tatch, screw-in studs, additional gel frame, black wrap, etc.) which still (barely) fit in the case.

I suppose I won't know if it's enough to give me breathing room as far as HV20/Nikon aperture settings are concerned until after the shoot (crossing fingers ...)
 
Thank you for the response Erik. I wish you the best for your future project and am sure that you will make the most of the lighting kit you got. I will check out the tutorials on Lowel's site and may even consider the DV Creator 44. Here's a review I just read about it. http://www.videomaker.com/article/11148/
If you don't mind me asking, how much did you find yours for on Ebay?
 
I believe it was $995 in the hard case (TO-83?). As I said, unused (all the bulbs still in their packaging, cords never unwrapped, etc.).

As that review mentions, the Rifa is very versatile, and if you're careful you can stuff one of the stands in the little sack it stows in to have a REALLY portable light kit.

I also have a collapsible 5-in-1 42-inch reflector with a gobo stand. I'd recommend you at least get some foamcore or showcard; reflectors/bounce cards can really improve the versatility of a small kit. Don't forget ground lifters, cube taps and stingers.
 
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