Start with 1 light? - Kino Flo

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DDirector

Veteran
I want to ask here as this section is specific for lighting.

This is referring to my thread about which equipment to purchase:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...-of-these-purchases-would-be-best-for-my-DSLR

Ive been recommended to purchase lights. but, I am still in a little dilemma.

I looked at lights and found the Kino Flo 4ft 4Bank Kit.
The problem is, I can afford only one light kit - 1 Light, Ballast, Cable, Mount + Stand

Would it be acceptable to start with using only one light? And build up sometime in the future?
I would like to get the kit that has 2 lights but, I cannot afford it.


*I shoot music videos, short films. I don't get paid to do any of this yet. But, I am looking at purchasing some equipment so I can start some freelance work to gain some experience and credit as a DP.
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For the price of one Kino Flo Light Kit - Approx $1500
Is there another light kit I should consider instead? Something that might have 2 or 3 lights instead of 1?
 
I wouldn't. I would use that money to buy multiple lights that are cheaper. Like some arri fresnelles or something. You can make a hard light soft, but you cant make a soft light hard. You hould probably consider something like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/541089-REG/Arri_571959W_Compact_Fresnel_Three_Light_Kit.html

Something that allows you flexibility and practicality. One light is not going to do you much good, especially one kino. unless you want everything flat.
 
Trying to light everything with one fluorescent softlight would be a big challenge -- all the more so for someone just starting out. It would definitely limit what you're capable of compared to having three or four diverse types of lights for different purposes. You'll do better to invest in a couple of cheaper lights that will get the job done but may not be as durable or convenient to use as the Kino Flos. You can get three of the Cool Lights CL-455P 4-tube fluorescents for the price of that one Kino Flo; for a few dollars more you can get the dimmable version. (Remember that you'll have to order stands and cases separately.) www.coollights.biz

If you want to go halogen (personally, I'm trying to move toward fluorescent and LED because of the heat, electrical load, cool-down time and environmental advantages) and like the yummy creamy look of fresnels, that Arri kit that Mister Stocks mentioned is a good deal. If you like open-face lights, some of the Lowel kits are great in terms of putting everything together in a single box -- for example, check out http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/285928-REG/Lowel_DV_902LBZ_DV_Creator_44_Kit.html which is within your budget (not the only choice, there are many others). I used a slightly bigger Lowel kit for years as the foundation for all my location lighting needs, and it served very well until it was damaged by a flood in my home. (Rusty stands and swivel joints neither work well, nor impress clients.) Sniff. Now I'm rebuilding with flos and LEDs.

- GDS
 
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Hmm. I see what you two mean.

I did originally look at those Arri kits, but they are just out of my budget. Thats a bit more than I was hoping on spending with taxes. The other thing, those lights get super hot. I dont know how many times I accidentally burned myself on them. haha
But I'll look if theres anything in my price range.

I like lighting scenes to look natural. I like having everything look as if it were to look in real life. I dont recall using hard lights for anything yet. They've been all soft lights.
Do I even need hard lights? I know I need them as back lights, but as key lights?

PS. Im not really starting out with lighting. I just never had my own. Ive been doing lighting for a while. Not that long, but I know my stuff.
I am in college now and use the colleges equipment and lights but, I want to have my own for personal stuff.
 
DDirector said:
Wait a sec.
What's the difference between these two Kino Flo lights? If I can go with the cheaper model, then I might be able to get an additional light as a back or possibly a fill light.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/656797-REG/Kino_Flo_KIT_4804B_S120_4_4Bank_Gaffer_Kit.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/258308-REG/Kino_Flo_SYS_4804_S120_4Bank_4_Fluorescent_One.html
Click to expand...

Looks like the 1st one has the lollipop mount already included with it as well as a lamp case and lamp holder accessory. You should note that neither kit comes with actual bulbs so that's an additional expense.

I think it's a bad idea to blow all of your money on one or two fixture. Fluorescences, while they're great fixtures, are really more limited in versatility than a tungsten unit. Trying lighting a large space or a wide shot for example and fluorescence will be much less effective since as a soft source the light intensity will fall off very quickly. The same issue makes it difficult to use them as backlight unless you can get them very close. They're also terrible for projecting images on the background, which can eliminate a wide range of techniques for making an otherwise uninteresting shot looks dramatic. If you want the "natural look" then take note that the vast majority of what we see in real life are actually lit by by a single hard light (the sun). Kino are great but if this is your first light kit then they're not the greatest bang for the buck and not a great place to start learning from. Buy cheaper tungsten lights and learn with those, then supplement them with Kino down the line if you find that it's necessary.

And lastly, don't buy "a kit" and don't get obsessed with brand names. A prepackaged kit is almost guaranteed to include items that you will never ever use. It's much better for the budget and for your own education if you assemble a custom kit of only what you think you'll need, and build on that over time. Brand names like Arri and Kino are nice, but you're paying a lot for that last extra bit of quality. If you're a seasoned professional who does this day in day out and demands no compromises, that investment will make sense, but for somebody starting out with a limited budget, it's much better to look at budget brands as a jumping off point. You'll be surprised at how much more value you can end up squeezing out of your gear at that point.
 
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Hi DDirector,

I suggest looking at a Chinese Red Head knock off kit. The DOP I work with bought a kit for around $900, it came with 3 lights, 3 stands and a nice bag. This would leave you with enough money to buy an umbrella or soft box with gives you the ability for soft lighting and hard lighting, and they pack enough punch to light a decent area.
The DOP bought these to supplement his already huge light kit, which has over 25 lights, including 4 Kinos, and a few 700watt and 1200watt HMI's. The reason he bought these is because of the cheap price and we travel a lot. The only advice with these is to take care, because they get hot and can blow globes a lot easier than the name brand lights.

Regards

Bron
 
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