Need help building my first lighting kit

A

AndrewTaran

Active member
Hello everyone!
So, I've got some budget from the company I work for to buy some lighting equipment. Basically, it would be used for 1-2 people interviews on location and outdoors. Honestly, I've never worked with lights bigger than 160 LEDs, so all this fresnel-open-face-gels-flags stuff is a totally new world for me...
How much light would I need? What should I'll be looking for and what should I avoid? The only thing - I'll be working alone, so I need something not too bulky and fast-assembling. I would like to stay in 2-3k budget.
Thanks in advance! :thumbsup:
 
indoor and outdoor will require greatly different setups.

one of my favorite simple indoor interview kits is:
2 kinoflo diva 400
1 lowel prolight
 
In that budget your outdoor lighting will consist of scrims and bouncers... Ie. light mods. You need to go past 1k lamps outside and that brimgs in the question of power supply.

I like the idea of wgzn... Easy to set up, easy to take down.
 
than guys! I took a look at Kino Flos and my main concern is putting in/out fluorescent tubes. I'm a one-man-band and setting up this one would take some time.
What do you think about Lowel kits? something like this one : http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/285929-REG/Lowel_DV_903Z_DV_Creator_55_Kit.html
Also I've heard nice things about Dedolights, but they're pricy. What do you think about this one? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/624579-REG/Dedolight_SPS3_SPS3_3_Light_Portable_Kit.html
 
Taking out the tubes is super easy - 30 seconds max. Haven't used Dedolights, so I'll let someone else chime in.

Kegan
 
Probably, as long as you're not on a very old camera with slow sensors. Windows will still most likely be overexposed or blown out unless you get the lights right up in your talent's face, but they'll almost certainly give you "enough" light to expose your subject.

I would also like to suggest the DeSisti De Lux, if weight isn't an issue. Not saying they're very heavy, but they're certainly heavier than Diva lites. The advantages with these are that they have a way bigger reflector than a Diva and therefore they output around twice as much light as a Diva, and that they can be had for much cheaper than a Diva if you pick one up used.
 
The Lowel Kits are great for easy / quick setups and affordable. However, it should be known that the light stands that come with them are extremely flimsy so it's best to get some sandbags with them (you should really get sand bags for any lights, really) also, the Lowel Tota gets extremely hot. They tend to burn through gels even with a frame infront.
 
I took a look at Kino Flos and my main concern is putting in/out fluorescent tubes. I'm a one-man-band and setting up this one would take some time.
Click to expand...
ive been using kinos for years and they always travel with tubes installed. never had one break.

Taking out the tubes is super easy - 30 seconds max.
Click to expand...
yeah. its about he easiest bulb change you can do...

but will 440 watts of 2 Kino Flos would be enough for indoors?
Click to expand...
certainly. ive used them in everything from a dark conference room to a full lit (windows and overheads) retail store.
 
Kegan said:
Haven't used Dedolights, so I'll let someone else chime in.

Kegan
Click to expand...

My basic kit contains 2 dedos and a larger light for key and 'blaster'

I really like the Dedo DL4s as part of my kit

Firstly - I didnt buy a package like the one linked - it seems you are over paying for a fancy bag stands et al

(because Ive been doign this for years I already have heaps of bags, cases, stands and boxes - if you dont Id buy that stuff used)

I just bought the light fixtures, barn doors and most important the daylight conversion filters

The Dedo DL4 is a nice light - not powerful but more than you would expect because the lens makes it very efficient

Corrected with the dichronic filter you get a nice daylight - better than LED or Flouro

Dedo have a good name - parts - service bla bla

I think 2 DL4s is a great part of a kit, but you need (at least) two other lights..

A soft key - which could be a kino (I have a photon beard highlight - and transport it with the tubes in place)
A blaster - a blunt intsrument .. somethng that is bright - currently I have a chinese 1k for this but may look for some cheapo 2k fixture, this could even be a couple of worklights (on a budget)

Of course Id prefer to have my 'blaster' as a big HMI but budget wont allow

Shooting outside you should get some reflector (I have kingspan from the builders merchant) and ideally a diffusor for overhead like a california sunbouce (I have a diy frame with net curtain)

I think larger lights need C-stands and sandbags (or fertiliser sacks filled with sand!)

I also have a selection of white sheet, black cloth, white net curtain, a roll of CTB, gaffa tape and clips..

Edit..
Blaster I think the corrct term is Flood - bascially for lighting spaces..
http://www.arri.com/lighting/lighti...s/arri_flood_and_cyc/arri_miniflood_1000.html

S
 
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