Recomended portable Light Kit?
- Thread starter aaronbiby
- Start date
hemophilia
Well-known member
Lowel lights are known for their compactness/portability. You could check out their Rifa softbox lights & the kits that include them. (such as http://www.lowel.com/kits/rifaPro66.html )
...although you might want something with a 3rd light or reflector to supplement that for classic "3-point lighting". I always see run&gun type reporters using Lowel lights at sporting events and stuff like that. And I have a kit with a Rifa light and some other stuff of theirs and I like it. And it does pack down smaller than anything else I know of out there.
If you have more money, and more cargo space, you could consider flouro kits like Kino's (http://www.kinoflo.com/sales_catalog_2004/diva_system/001_dls/diva_system.html ) or the Caselight stuff from Lowel ( http://www.lowel.com/kits/caselite4.html ). You're talent will thank you for keeping them cool and reducing their electric bill.
...although you might want something with a 3rd light or reflector to supplement that for classic "3-point lighting". I always see run&gun type reporters using Lowel lights at sporting events and stuff like that. And I have a kit with a Rifa light and some other stuff of theirs and I like it. And it does pack down smaller than anything else I know of out there.
If you have more money, and more cargo space, you could consider flouro kits like Kino's (http://www.kinoflo.com/sales_catalog_2004/diva_system/001_dls/diva_system.html ) or the Caselight stuff from Lowel ( http://www.lowel.com/kits/caselite4.html ). You're talent will thank you for keeping them cool and reducing their electric bill.
Matthew B. Moore
Well-known member
Lowel has a lot of grip goodies, but I'm not very fond of the lights.
Arri has less grip stuff, but better lights.
I would go with one or the other for quality reasons.
I've seen other lighting kits, but they seemed to fall a little short.
Arri has less grip stuff, but better lights.
I would go with one or the other for quality reasons.
I've seen other lighting kits, but they seemed to fall a little short.
david_kuznicki
Well-known member
Matthew B. Moore said:
So do what I do-- buy the Arri lights & lowel goodies. It's not as if the Arri's won't fit.
I guess that I'm not a huge fan of the all-in-one kit solutions; I've pieced everything together over the years & have a bit of everything.
Well, except the Arri's! I borrow them from work currently, but am slowly but surely replacing the open faced lights that I have.
David Kuznicki
Production Manager, WGTE-TV30
Arri Kit?
Arri Kit?
Would a kit like this Arri kit be appropiate or not enough or overkill or just wrong?
If I went with something like this would it be wise to purchase an additional softbox or umbrella?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...150&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
Arri Kit?
Would a kit like this Arri kit be appropiate or not enough or overkill or just wrong?
If I went with something like this would it be wise to purchase an additional softbox or umbrella?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...150&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
Ralph Oshiro
Veteran
My recommendations:
Lowel Rifa-lights are the smallest, lightest, quickest-to-set up softlights in the world (they open up like umbrellas). Although I prefer to use KinoFlo DivaLite 200s, they are more expensive and much heavier.
1. Lowel Rifa-light LC-55 w/fabric eggcrate.
2. Two Arri 150W Fresnels.
3. One 300W Arri Fresnel.
4. Manfrotto stands (Lowel stands are the worst stand in the industry).
If you REALLY need to save money:
1. Lowel Rifa-light LC-55 w/fabric eggcrate.
2. Two Lowel Pro-lights.
3. Manfrotto stands (Lowel stands are the worst stand in the industry).
Arri kits, while good, are REALLY heavy. I think a Rifa and a few, hand-picked Arri Fresnels, and some Manfrotto stands are going to be much more practical on the road.
If you have EXTRA money, I always like to fill with a KinoFlo 2-foot single-bank. Two of those as fills are excellent. The above kits are only good for the interview SUBJECT. To light your interviewer AND the subject, you'll need TWO Rifas and a few more small lights.
Lowel Rifa-lights are the smallest, lightest, quickest-to-set up softlights in the world (they open up like umbrellas). Although I prefer to use KinoFlo DivaLite 200s, they are more expensive and much heavier.
1. Lowel Rifa-light LC-55 w/fabric eggcrate.
2. Two Arri 150W Fresnels.
3. One 300W Arri Fresnel.
4. Manfrotto stands (Lowel stands are the worst stand in the industry).
If you REALLY need to save money:
1. Lowel Rifa-light LC-55 w/fabric eggcrate.
2. Two Lowel Pro-lights.
3. Manfrotto stands (Lowel stands are the worst stand in the industry).
Arri kits, while good, are REALLY heavy. I think a Rifa and a few, hand-picked Arri Fresnels, and some Manfrotto stands are going to be much more practical on the road.
If you have EXTRA money, I always like to fill with a KinoFlo 2-foot single-bank. Two of those as fills are excellent. The above kits are only good for the interview SUBJECT. To light your interviewer AND the subject, you'll need TWO Rifas and a few more small lights.
Ralph Oshiro
Veteran
I would not recommend this kit to anyone. They are all four, the same units. They are 1K--too hot for most applications. They are open-face units. While focusable, they have no where near the control of a Fresnel. Plus, those goddamned lights are expensive for what they are.aaronbiby said:
For you, I would suggest a similar package to the ones I described above, with possibly the addition of an Arri 650W Fresnel, if you're going to shoot short films kinda stuff. Umbrellas aren't that useful to me. They spray light everywhere. You have no control. Softboxes or Kino/Divas are the way to go for soft sources. You can also sort of substitute 50W PAR20 globes, found at hardware stores for small units. They have excellent output, decent color temperature, and they're cheap (about $8). They make a flood and a spot. The spot PAR20s are awesome.
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