on a budget lighting set: Halogen?

F

Fellipe

Active member
Hi there.
I want to "build" myself a lighting set. Being more specific, I'm looking for a good key and fill lights for interior scenes.

Is halogen a good type of lighting?

Are they inexpensive?

Will I be able to diffuse it well?

Are they dimmable?

What to look when shopping for halogen bulbs?

Thanks!
edit: As a photographer, I have a good understanding about lighting, but in my studio I use flashes, so I'm totally lost on lighting for video.
 
Fellipe said:
Hi there.
I want to "build" myself a lighting set. Being more specific, I'm looking for a good key and fill lights for interior scenes.

Is halogen a good type of lighting?
Click to expand...
It is. Tungsten halogen lights are a mainstay of most any kit.

Are they inexpensive?
Click to expand...
They're the least expensive of any professional movie lights you can get.

Will I be able to diffuse it well?
Click to expand...
Yes, you can attach diffusion gels to the barndoors these lamps typically have or aim them at frames skinned with anything from gels to gridcloth and you can bounce them from reflectors, walls and ceilings.

Are they dimmable?
Click to expand...
Yes, dimmers are inexpensive and can be professional or purpose made. When you dim these lights they will shift their color temperature downward to a warmer tone.

What to look when shopping for halogen bulbs?
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You should look for professional movie lights that use tungsten halogen bulbs. They have a color temperature of 3200K and the halogen gives them a relatively long life without losing intensity. Used fixtures in good condition are fine. You might see if a local grip and electric house has some surplus ones you can purchase at a good discount and you can look on auction sites, Craigslist, or sellers such as Pyramid Films for used ones.

You would be well served with fresnel type fixtures that employ a lens and a moving sled for the globe and reflector that allows the light to adjusted for spot or flood with a smooth field of illumination. Various sizes are available and one 300W, two 650W and one 1KW would be good to start.

Thanks!
edit: As a photographer, I have a good understanding about lighting, but in my studio I use flashes, so I'm totally lost on lighting for video.
Click to expand...
Everything you know about placing light and shadow can be readily translated to these continuous sources.
 
Last edited:
They aren't bad per se, but they have much less control. The fresnel lens type fixture can be focused.

Grant
 
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