Portable Lighting Kit for Travel

C

cbagnall23

Member
Im going cross country (planes, trains, automobiles) to 10 states and need a really portable light kit for interviews. Anyone have suggestions? Thanks
 
Whats your budget like? Lighting just one person? Always indoors? Any outdoors? My super portable kit is 1 pro light, 2 zylights, reflector, and matthews road rag kit. Its a bit pricy though. 3 Pro lights could probably do just as well (1 at 250, 2 at 100), but I like the flexibility to go to just the zylights on battery if need be. The zylights make balancing to any light source or throwing a splash of color on the back ground nice too.

Depending on the situation I go with a 250 through a silk for the key, bounce for fill, zylight for hair/kicker, and the other zylight accents the background. OR I do a key with a zylight through a bit of diffusion, a zylight for hair/kicker, and the pro light on the background. Toss a roll of cinefoil in the kit and you have barn doors, cookies, and flags.

Impact makes a decent small stand thats cheap, lightweight and works pretty well. Took this kit on a travelling docu last year and it worked out really well. By the end of the whole thing I also had gotten a lot of experience lighting in some less than desirable locations (people's living rooms, offices, etc). Good times. Everything packed down to 2 small pelicans for the lights and camera, a larger pelican for grip and electric stuff as well as the audio and a golf case for stands and tripod. Small pelicans go as carry ons, the rest is checked. There were two of us so that helped. For non flying trips we wheeled it all around on a rock and roller cart (r12). Let me know if you have more questions about anything. Enjoy the travelling!
 
My budget is pretty flexible. Anything less than $1K. I just want something to light an interview subject indoors. A small chimera kit, 1 or 2 lights max. 1 light for the subject the second for accent light. Can you show me perhaps on a B&H link? Thanks!
 
How about something like this - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/285889-REG/Lowel_LCP_966_Rifa_eX_Pro_66_Two.html

Had forgotten about the RIFA. Had debated using one of these for travelling but wanted something a bit more versatile. Awesome softbox though and folds up small. Quick to setup too. Have a client with the 88 in a kit. Pretty cool light.

THere is also this - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=0&shs=lowell+rifa+pro&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=jsp%2Fproductlist.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

I really like having at least 3 lights. The seperation of a slight kicker/rim just gives so much more depth IMO.

I'm also not a big fan of the cases in the lowell kit. Their stands are ok, but I'd rather have it all in a Pelican case especially if flying. Saw my cases thrown around a good bit and everything survived. Highly doubt a lowell case would've made it through the first trip.
 
Kino Flo Diva is a good key light for a start. I use dedo lights also but they are very expensive.
 
puredrifting said:
For under $1,000.00, good luck!

Dan
Click to expand...

Yeah Lowell is the best you are going to do at that price. Go to ebay and you can probably pick up some used ARRI stuff. If you want to save some money, just avoid the kits altogether, piece the fixtures you need together, grab some stands, and some grip stuff and you're good to go.

And I'd avoid Kino or any flo for that matter if you are going for something small you can pack up and travel with. Too bulky for me.
 
Ok so over 1k... My budget is sky high. Two lights. Give me the straight scoop. Don't worry about $$$. it just needs to be ULTRA PORTABLE. Portability is key, not budget.
 
If going for the ultimate in portability I'd go with a Rifa and a Pro light then. If you are ever going to need to be battery powered only I'd go with 2 zylights.
 
I'd go Diva's as well, a 400 and a 200. I have them and use them on every job. If you're shooting interviews pick your locations wisely, key with the 400, edge with the 200. 2 medium Avenger baby stands, some duvetyne and spring clamps to knock light down if you need to.
 
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