putting together a basic 3 point lighting kit?

G

Gene Sung

Veteran
I'm hoping to learn about lighting and I want to put together a basic 3 point lighting kit. At this point, it probably mostly for portraits and some basic indoor lighting.

What wattage lights do you guys recommend (This confuses me the most)? I'm thinking more tungsten lights at this point. What else do I need for a a basic 3 point kit besices diffusion and some basic colored gels?

I know lots of people are against getting a lighting kit, but they do seem to make things easier and I wouldn't be opposed to one that might be right for my needs.

Thanks
 
Here's something I found on the internet. Does this sound about right? I'm thinking if I looked hard enough on EBay, I could find this stuff for way less. I just want a kit to be able to practice regularly and get better at it

-------------- (What they wrote)

Here is the lighting gear I suggest, and you can get it for approx $1,800.00 from many dealers like B and H photo in NYC.

Lowell Omni light with Speed Ring for Chimera. Order two 420 watt bulbs with this. The photo at the top of this article is of various size Chimeras. This will be your 'KEY LIGHT"
One XS (extra small) Chimera (It's a soft Box)
One Lowell Pro Light with two 125 watt Bulbs. This is your BACKLIGHT
One 100 Watt Professional Dimmer ( for use with the Back light)
One Arri 650 Watt Light with Barn Doors, 2 Half Scrims and two Full Scrims, two 650 Watt Bulbs. This is your BACKGROUND LIGHT
1 C-Stand (for back light) 3 regular Light Stands,
1 Drop-Ceiling Clamp and a bag of C-47s (clothespins)
3 Sheets of Full Blue Gel (CTB) 3 Sheets of Half Blue (1/2 CTB) 1 Sheet of 1/8 Blue (CTB) - use the 1/8th to white balance thru to "warm" up your shots.
4 sheets of 1/2 Tough SPUN ( Diffusion for lights)
1 Roll of Flat Black Wrap to "snoot" lights and "Flag Lights"
1 Roll of ND6 or ND3 Gel for use on Windows
 
yeah. a kit like that would work. but that isnt something youd want to break down and move a lot. budget softboxes are kind of a pain to set up. it can be done (ive done it more than i care to admit) but its a buzz kill.

i keep a basic three piece lowell 250 wat "prolight" kit on hand for quickie setups. i use home depot, inline dimmers on them which gives a lot more flexibility.

whatever you get, you'll definitely need gels, diffusers, etc. as light itself is only part of the story.

for simple head and shoulders interviews you might also look a set with two of these:
http://www.ikancorp.com/productInfo.php?id=297&FamilyID=68&CategoryID=84
and one of these:
http://www.ikancorp.com/productInfo.php?id=298&FamilyID=68&CategoryID=82
 
Personally, I love the Lowell Rifa. For a budget soft-box, it really packs a punch. It's also not terribly difficult to set up and strike.

As far as a basic, 3-point kit, if you aren't on too tight a budget, the Arri Softbank D1 kit is a good place to start: 150, 300, and 650 fresnels, along with a Chimera softbox.
 
MY TERRIBLE EXPERIEINCE WITH EOS LIGHTING, LLC/PC LIGHTING SYSTEMS (same company)

MY TERRIBLE EXPERIEINCE WITH EOS LIGHTING, LLC/PC LIGHTING SYSTEMS (same company)

I ordered a light kit last year from EOS Lighting (PC Lighting Systems is the same company) and all went well (keep reading). In early November 2011 I ordered a much more expensive light kit and it never shipped. They kept giving me excuse after excuse. Finally on 11/28 I canceled my order per their instructions and as directed by them in writing. I have NOT received a refund and have called numerous times to speak with accounting but they always have excuses. They said they were having trouble with Paypal, then the bookkeeper was sick and the latest is they are in the middle of an IRS audit. I filed a complaint with PayPal and they are working on it. I have since purchased great lights from Cool Lights USA and they are terrific to do business with. Moral of story: UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ATTEMPT TO DO BUSINESS WITH EOS LIGHTING, LLC OR PC LIGHTING SYSTEMS (same company with two websites). It has been the worst experience I have had with a company ever.
 
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