Travel light kit help!

Tim Miller

Tim Miller

Well-known member
Hello all,

More then likely 2010 is going to hold a lot of travel for me. I am looking to put together a kit for shooting around the globe. There will be a lot of interviews but will be needed to do some 'overall' shooting, ala plays being preformed, someone speaking before a crowd...things of that nature.

I am looking to shoot between the $1k and $2k mark if possible. I was looking at this kit: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/285784-REG/Lowel_DVP_95LB_DV_Pro_55_Kit_.html#accessories

But I read another user on here says the V-lights (bulbs) get crushed all the time. I know Omni is a durable light too. I could probably piece something together, but didn't know if someone had experience with traveling with lighting set-ups...especially the whole plane traveling experiences.

Thanks in advance!
 
I don't like Lowel stands (too flimsy) and i don't like the V-lights. SO i would build my kit from scratch:
1x DP light
1x Omni Light
2x Pro Light
4x stands
1x Hard case with wheels (VERY IMPORTANT! as you will be checking in the luggage and also ou don't want to carry it rather than wheeling it around).
 
I'm guessing umbrellas then instead of a rifa or something?

Have you done travel before with your kit? Just curious with power converters or things of that nature. Obviously you need power converters, but I mean anything special since you using lights rather then stuff just like a charger and what not. I know with the DP, and kind of the Omni, you are pulling more wattage, didn't know if that could be troublesome. I will be working in some 3rd world countries, where power is available, but may be limited. So I didn't know if there is something with battery packs and what not.
 
Yes i have done traveling. If you go from 110 to 220 world (say from the states to UK or other parts of Europe) you need to re-bulb your lights with 220-240 bulbs and then just get cord adapters.

You don't need rifas for soft light just use light grid diffusion on the barndoors.
 
Thanks for the info! Any recommended stands then if you don't like the lowel?

Any other takers out there?
 
what about led lights ?
Some say they don't eat a lot of power and can be pluged anywhere, they are liteweight and small sized so easy to travel with.
 
I would highly recommend a Lowel kit. This is the one I have (+ 1 more tota & umbrella)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/285927-REG/Lowel_DV_9023Z_DV_Creator_44_Kit_.html

It's served me in every situation (single interview, multiple interview, performance
location shooting, green screen work, etc.) and is a great kit for travel. The
cameraman who trained me had the exact same kit, and he traveled to over
70 countries. It's very tough and will last practically forever.

I disagree with Patryk that the stands are too flimsy. Their very light, portable and
go up quickly. I do agree with Patryk that if you can get a case with wheels it will be
a big help, though I've survived without it. You'll definitely need the hard case though.

Well, that's my 2 Watts

Peter
 
Are the lowel cases really worth it though as far as the extra costs though too? I was thinking about buying my own hard shell suit case and retro-fitting it so the items are more secure for the oh so friendly baggage handlers from around the world. Did you tote around different types of bulbs then regarding what country you are in?

I looked at some LED lights from CoolLights, haven't heard much about those guys.
 
Is there any reason why the Rifa lights are not good to have
as travel lights.
Considering the fact that they are light weight(no extra cost
at the airport -depending on what you'll have).
quick Soft box setup:

Tim, thanks for posting this I've also been having the same
dilema.

Looking forward to the input.
 
cinewan said:
Is there any reason why the Rifa lights are not good to have
as travel lights.
.
Click to expand...

No reason. Rifa lights are fantastic for travel. Light weight and they set up in two seconds.
I have one in my kit (a Rifa 44) which I use as a key for interviews.


Are the lowel cases really worth it though as far as the extra costs though too?
Click to expand...

I don't think there's much of an extra cost. It comes with the kit, which is cheaper
then buying the components separately. You can buy your own Pelican case, but the
Lowels are designed for travel and maximum protection. I've used mine as an apple box *

I looked at some LED lights from CoolLights, haven't heard much about those guys.
Click to expand...

If you can afford LED lights (Litepanels for example) then all bets are off. From what I've
seen they are the lightest option, you can change the colour temperature on the fly, and a
single battery will power them for hours, so you can set them up anywhere. The only
draw back I can think of is:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/664164-REG/Litepanels__1x1_Bi_Color_Bi_Focus_Flypak.html

* I don't recommend this. But in an emergency it will do fine.
 
Tim Miller said:
I looked at some LED lights from CoolLights, haven't heard much about those guys.
Click to expand...

Just use the search feature on this and other sites. Plenty has been said about them here and elsewhere:


http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=189316

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=191535

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=188181

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=147772

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=184591

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=36727&highlight=cool+lights+led

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=35098&highlight=cool+lights+led

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=29267&highlight=cool+lights+led

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/photon-management/467508-my-cool-lights-experience.html

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/photon-management/468721-how-i-mounted-softbox-my-coollights-led256.html

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/photon-management/468567-new-led-switronix.html
 
Tim – I travel quite a bit, and I can tell you that the freedom battery powered LED units from both CoolLights and LitePanels has made such a difference for my own company.

In brief: After getting sick of dragging around mains powered tungsten units, we used 2 LED600 Coolights panels (V-lock battery mount + AC power) and a Lite Panels Mini Plus in a recent jaunt in Europe and the Middle East. These units were put through their paces in various locations.

Travel: Our producer carried all our lighting kit on-board except the lighting stands which went in the hold with the camera tripod. There were no problems whatsoever.

Location Use: We used IDX batteries with the LED600s in underground caves, dark wine cellars, various interviews walking along inside buildings, outside, up a mountain side and in the desert as fill and backlight. We used them to create lighting effects in various situations and of course we ran them off the mains where we were able to do so.

Speed of Set-up: Most of the time, particularly with the interviews (some high profile, under pressure types) we all loved how quickly we could set up – not having to worry about power issues.

Filters: We used various diffusion and colour filters to get the lighting the way we wanted it.

Drawbacks? We were challenged at times where the ambient light level was greater than the power output of the LED lights – however we always found a solution. In one case we used a T-Bar with both LED600 panels joined side by side to create a nice long light-bank feel.

Reflectors: Course we also use collapsible reflectors/deflectors and while these are great for certain things you have no where near the control over the situation.

We have a number of reviews on our website (about to be updated shortly) you may find this helpful

http://www.studioscotland.com/litepan_review.htm

Regards: Stu
www.studioscotland.com
 
The LED are indeed fantastic but not the price - about $1650 for 1x1 square.

Though i'm curious about the ones from CoolLights at $450.
 
Cool Lights...I didn't mean to insult you, just PERSONALLY hadn't heard about your stuff. I know you are active here and people speak your praises so thanks for all the links.

Stu...VERY informative...thus making my decision harder. What all did you roll with for lights then? Final damage on the set-up? Because I am still trying to stick to the $1k to $2k set up. Thanks again.

Whatever set up is decided upon, will also be my 'at home' set up too...if that makes ANY difference. In which they will be used for short films and other freelance work.

Thanks to all.
 
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So i looked more into those LED and it looks like they have a greenish tint to it. On one hand you can "correct" it, on the other hand it might not be so simple as the tint might mean some spectrum of the light is missing thus even with correction you might not be getting full richness of the colors. One of the reasons why i stopped lighting with KinoFlos (i still occasionally use them but not as often as i used to) was just that. Tungsten and HMIs for me nowdays. That said though i would be happy to look into this issue a bit more. If i get my hands on any of Richards lights (so far i only have worked with LitePanels and those only for quick gig where i didn't get a chance to run those through full test) i'll let you know about the results.
 
Hi Tim – The cost for the Coolights with stands and filter materials is within your budget, replacing the expensive LitePanels Mini Plus with the Coolights 256 model. However the added cost for the V-Lock or AB batteries and charger if you don’t already own this type of kit will push you over. For us, the battery power source runs cameras, field monitors and lighting, which keeps things tidy and quick.

If you want to keep your electricity bill down, you will notice a big difference when using LED over tungsten when plugged into the mains. Another advantage is you no longer need to be bothered with smelly hot lights, particularly in a small room environment - and the problems the heat can have on a human subjects skin tones.

However, as you will know with any equipment subject, no one tool does it all…

In regard to travelling:

I can say that when travelling we only use the LED lights. For general/simple studio work we try to use only the LED lights. When we travel locally throughout the UK, we take both LED and tungsten with us but will use the LED for lighting the subject in an interview. We use a number of fresnel lamp heads with focusing beam which of course is good for creating shapes and shadows shot through patterns or cookies.

At the end of the day, we look at some things purely on a commercial level, if it does not save and thereby make us money we don’t purchase it. Your mileage may differ.

Regards: Stu
www.studioscotland.com
 
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