Three-Point Kit for Carry On Travel?

[QuickHitRecord]

Does anyone know of an interview lighting kit, including stands, that could be collapsed into a carry on-size hard case (Pelican 1510 or similar)? I've seen the Fiilex kits, which are built around their P360 LED lights. But are there others?

 

[Run&Gun]

LitePanels has a three-light kit built around their Sola-ENG's in a 1510. Great lights. I have two I use for toplights(3 if you count my first that went south on me) and I have a friend that has the three light kit and I believe he travels with it sometimes for basic, down 'n dirty interviews. I've seen him light indoor LS's in town with it, too. Just be aware, like everything else Litepanels sales, they are VERY PROUD of them… Just over $2900 at B&H.

Not sure how great of a bargain it is, though vs. buying the lights seperately. They are charging you about an extra $600 for a Pelican case, three light stands and a soft box.

 

[homestar_kevin]

Any reason why lowel's won't work?

If you have 10 minutes to let them cool after the shoot, you can't beat tiny tungsten fixtures.

Can't beat cheap, common, readily available used.

 

[forbyfiev]

I'll second Kevin for the Lowels. Unless you have some specific lighting issue to deal with, a Lowel kit will be the most compact (and maybe least expensive) option. A Rifa, a V light, and Pro Light or (Pepper 100) makes a really compact and fast kit. You can also use an Omni light in an umbrella instead of the Rifa. The lights are so small and light you don't need very big stands.

http://lowel.com/kits.html

http://lowel.com/SlimLightKits.html

http://lowel.com/kits/goJetSet.html

 

[mcbob]

I'll second Kevin for the Lowels. Unless you have some specific lighting issue to deal with, a Lowel kit will be the most compact (and maybe least expensive) option. A Rifa, a V light, and Pro Light or (Pepper 100) makes a really compact and fast kit. You can also use an Omni light in an umbrella instead of the Rifa. The lights are so small and light you don't need very big stands.

I'll third Lowels. I did a fly-around job interviewing a bunch of high profile law enforcement execs last summer and carted a RIFA 55 and two ProLights. I've used the aforementioned V-light with umbrella more than a few times, especially the years when it was the only soft light I owned.

My single-cam, single-backpack interview kit packs 2 pro lights, umbrella, reflector, and two F&V Z96 LED's. Doesn't yield anything shockingly good, but it works well enough.

 

[QuickHitRecord]

Hmm. We already have a Rifa 44 at the office (I have a 44, 55 and 88 at home, but it's my personal kit) as well as two or three Pepper 100s. I'll have to see if I can generate enough light for interview lighting from a combination of those before I buy anything else, in which case it would just be a matter of getting a case and some ultra compact stands.

 

[wgzn]

i have a small lowel kit and it works fine. but if youre in a situation where youre up and down and moving and dont have the time for cooling. you could put together a small LED kit with maybe a 500, and a couple of 300s

 

[adamrahn]

For easy travel Lowels are the way to go. I'll regularly toss 4-5 in a mid-sized Porta-Brace bag (totas, omnis, and a pro) JIC I need an extra one or two. They get hot as hell but just turn them off immediately after the shoot is done and let them cool while you pack some other stuff up. Honestly you can't beat how easy they are to set up and use, and I know a lot of other people feel otherwise but they're incredibly durable for the price you pay. Several light fixtures, stands, a case, extra bulbs, umbrellas/gels, and some blackwrap for a few hundred bucks is a great option.

Adam

 

[mcbob]

They get hot as hell but just turn them off immediately after the shoot is done and let them cool while you pack some other stuff up.

Ditto... They heat up super fast, but that small size and mostly aluminum build means they cool down awfully fast as well. They're most always cool enough to handle by the time I break down camera and audio.

 

[DNN]

For my ultralight kit, I use a few Switronix LED Torch lights in an Apollo strip softbox or with an umbrella and a couple of Z96 lights for hair and accent. One thing I discovered using tungsten lights is that they also heat up the air in rooms pretty quickly. Especially if you shoot in the summer and have to turn off the air conditioning to get clean sound. By the time I finish setting up camera, lights and sound levels, both me and the interviewee are sweating. Highrise buildings facing the sun with lots of glass heat up pretty quickly without air.