Westcott Skylux Advice

L

Luke Bacich

Active member
Hi guys,

First time poster but long time reader. I'm wanting to invest in my first lighting kit. I've been doing lots of reading about lighting technique as well as equipment reviews. I spend my time 50/50 between photo and video. I've read lots about the Skylux's photgraphy performance and I think they will suit me for that but I was wanting to find out some opinions regarding video use. Would this be a good way to go for my first lights?

Thank you very much for any advice.
 
Apparently the skylux is very quiet but it does have a fan so would it be suitable? From my research my concern would be the noise and whether they would be bright enough? I'd love a solution for both photography and video but if I should be looking to separate the two please let me know. For my video work I film mainly dramatic scenes with only a few people in each scene. Really varied locations from indoors/outdoors, day/night, etc. Portability of the kit is very important to me. Also I love the idea of having lights which keep cool.
 
What modifiers do you plan on using and what type of camera? I have the Skylux and like it for its very high color quality. You can get an extra stop of light output by removing the front cover and diffusor. However you will also forgo the Bowens mount this way. It has a fan which is audible. Whether it is too loud will be up to you. If you want silent then Hexolux is the way to go in that department.
 
I was going to buy the kit that comes with their 48" rapid box? Do you think that would be a good choice? I know it has the bowen mount which gives you heaps of options but I don't know what to get as I've never bought anything before. What modifiers do you use with yours? Do you shoot video/photos or both with yours?
 
I own the Skylux (3 of them) and they are high quality. Nice lights. They do have fans in them and can be picked up by mic's if not careful.
Shot this with them:
1234889_10202079690337075_1550626317_n.jpg
 
dustylense said:
I own the Skylux (3 of them) and they are high quality. Nice lights. They do have fans in them and can be picked up by mic's if not careful.
Shot this with them:
View attachment 83364
Click to expand...

Beautiful portrait. I was looking for the same (3 of). What stands and mounts have you got for them? What f-stop do you find you can shoot at indoors with the westcotts? Would you recommend them for the dual purpose?
 
Luke Bacich said:
Beautiful portrait. I was looking for the same (3 of). What stands and mounts have you got for them? What f-stop do you find you can shoot at indoors with the westcotts? Would you recommend them for the dual purpose?
Click to expand...

Is that a photo? It looks like an airbrush illustration with eyes photoshopped in (not being snarky, just curious - there's not an ounce of detail in the skin, and the forehead is just blotches of color) (I did a ton of airbrush in the 80's).
 
Michael Carter said:
Is that a photo? It looks like an airbrush illustration with eyes photoshopped in (not being snarky, just curious - there's not an ounce of detail in the skin, and the forehead is just blotches of color) (I did a ton of airbrush in the 80's).
Click to expand...
She's just retouched and eyes popped a bit and a soft filter for skin. Her skin is really almost that smooth.
 
Luke Bacich said:
Beautiful portrait. I was looking for the same (3 of). What stands and mounts have you got for them? What f-stop do you find you can shoot at indoors with the westcotts? Would you recommend them for the dual purpose?
Click to expand...
They use standard bowers mounts so there are tons of things you can attach. Here is a video that shows them in use...
 
Yes I watched this video and thought the lights and attachments seemed great. I have never bought and light attachments etc before, is there anything you could recommend as a good general purpose starting point? What do you think of the rapid box, it comes in 36" and 48" so I'm not sure which would be the one to get.

I initially want to buy one light, one stand and one attachment to start playing with so just trying to choose the stand and attachment (or just get the kit).
 
Been doing more research and would love to pull the trigger on one. Would love to get some more experience from the couple of guys who have them. What do you shoot, how many lights do you use, do you use other lights with them, which modifiers and do you think this is a smart investment?
 
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