used Moles as basic starter set?

V

Victor Nhat Nguyen

Well-known member
I'm saving up for a couple of lights to start learning. Do you guys think used moles would be good? the problem is that Moles are tungsten and might not match well in scenes with windows, it is extremely hot and not energy efficient. Should I save up for HMI, Kino Flo instead?
 
Victor Nhat Nguyen said:
I'm saving up for a couple of lights to start learning. Do you guys think used moles would be good? the problem is that Moles are tungsten and might not match well in scenes with windows, it is extremely hot and not energy efficient. Should I save up for HMI, Kino Flo instead?
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Used Mole Richardson Tungsten, HMI, and Kino Flo Fluorescent are all different styles of lighting which all have their place. So there really is not a right or wrong answer here. My suggestion is to first invest in some training media so you have a better understanding on the subject.

Good Luck!

Dave
 
Starter hell, I consider them finisher.
Tungsten (of which ALL of mine are Moles) are always choice #1 for us. We only use anything else when circumstances force us to (power situation, need daylight temp, etc...). In that case we rent. Flos and HMI are very pricey and since they aren't bread and butter lights for us we rent as needed.
 
As pointed out, it also really depends on what you are going to be doing, or as Gonzo said, your bread and butter. I sold off most of my larger lights some time back as my business model changed and now just rent them when needed. Here is what I currently own.

20 Fluorescent lights

45 Tungsten lights

3 HMI lights

6 LED lights

2 strobe lights
 
Used Mole Richardson fresnels are great lights. I bought a bunch of older units and they are still working just as good as the day they were made. Can't go wrong with mole.

In fact if anyone has a 1k or 2k mole open face I might be interested in purchasing for the right price!
 
The Mole Richardson lights are classic designs, easy to use and service, and produce a quality of light that is as close to a "standard" as anything in the industry. They are ideal for someone who wants to learn lighting, and there are tons of used ones around at good prices. Since they last forever (and can be repaired with duct tape and baling wire when they do break), even pretty well-used ones can still produce good results.

The newer technologies are lighter and cooler, not necessarily better in the quality of their output, but you'll appreciate their properties all the better after learning the basics with a set of Moles.

Just enlist plenty of friends to help you move the things around and set them up.

- Greg
 
David W. Jones said:
My suggestion is to first invest in some training media so you have a better understanding on the subject.
Click to expand...
I been watching lighting for film and video by Barry Green. Anything else you would recommend for me to learn?
Was searching for some Mole on ebay this morning, but it seems like they're all 1k/2k or tweenie. What a bummer, seems like everybody bought the best one already.
 
Victor Nhat Nguyen said:
I been watching lighting for film and video by Barry Green. Anything else you would recommend for me to learn?
Was searching for some Mole on ebay this morning, but it seems like they're all 1k/2k or tweenie. What a bummer, seems like everybody bought the best one already.
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200s are usually pretty common (Midget and Mini). 2 or 3 midgets will light a small to medium interior, especially DSLR. There is a 650 open face (teenie I think) that is usually a steal. I've gotten them for sub $100. It's pretty rare I shoot a space big enough to pull out my 1K.
 
okay just found a 650. Hopefully I can get it for under $250. And then maybe 2 200watt and that's a good basic set up? And maybe I'll also get a 1k or 2k because they're so cheap (I'll probably use them for windows with CTO gels). I'm also a huge fan of soft lights. Can you guys recommend me some silks or diffusion?
 
Quality old equipment is always worth considering. The usual reason to not do it is simply weight, size and the difficulty of transportation. Other than that - it's a favourite of mine - and they often out perform newer kit!
 
Victor Nhat Nguyen said:
okay just found a 650. Hopefully I can get it for under $250. And then maybe 2 200watt and that's a good basic set up? And maybe I'll also get a 1k or 2k because they're so cheap (I'll probably use them for windows with CTO gels). I'm also a huge fan of soft lights. Can you guys recommend me some silks or diffusion?
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Easy/cheap way is just some 216 gel (looks like rice paper). Also, near the top of any grip gear you buy should be a set of flags, couple of silks and a couple of solids especially.

Yeah 1K and up (unless in a cavernous space) usually winds up gelled outside a window.
 
One of the key things for me is as Greg mentioned, being easy to service. I came across an Arri 300 fresnel the other day that was missing the lens (shouldn't really be calling it a fresnel I suppose). When I inspected it to see if I could swap the lens from another 300 that had bad wiring, I discovered that they're pretty much entirely assembled with pop rivets. I couldn't take it apart. I've had to do some tinkering with almost all of my Mole lights though (since I bought them used) and I never ran into an issue as absurd as that. The only Mole light that's given me any trouble in this area is the Midget, since the body is a solid piece of aluminum.
 
Matthews and American beefy babies are industry standard. You can find the older Matthews aluminum beefy babies used sometimes, but they're not manufactured anymore. If you want something cheaper than a new steel/aluminum beefy baby, the Matthews steel maxi kit stand is pretty nice, although I don't think I wouldn't feel comfortable setting it at top stick with more than a tweenie.

As far as bulbs (lamp or globe are preferred terms, at least around here), Osram, Ushio, and GE are what I usually see. I haven't noticed any brand to have particularly defective lamps.
 
You can't go wrong with Moles. THey are everywhere used and they will all work.
I have 20 -200's
and 15- 650's
and 8 -1000's
all mole and all around 15-25 years old.
If they break, I fix them myself and they will last another 15 years.
 
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