What kind of kit do you have?
- Thread starter juraj
- Start date
puredrifting
Major Contributor
There really is no such thing as a 3-point lighting kit, 3-point lighting is a technique, not a load of gear.
For a basic lighting kit good for shooting single and double person interviews or small, CU narrative style scenes, I would begin with a keylight as I described in this thread
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=67571
Then I would add a 36" white and gold flexfill as a fill source.
I would consider something small like a Lowel Pro-Light as a rim/hairlight. I would buy three cheap Manfrotto three stage aluminum light stands, a few 8lb sandbags, a few used 24" x 36" solid flags, a couple of used 40" C-Stands with 40" arms. I would also consider a small 300-650 watt used fresnel of some kind as a BG light, accent light. Can also be aimed at white ceilings as overall fill. You could put this kit together, with careful shopping for around $1,200.00. You will then have a much better start than some lame Lowel kit with it's useless light stands, non-existant flags, no sandbags or C-stands and only open faced lights. You would own gear that you can use for 20 years and will never need to sell or replace, if you take care of it. You could just keep adding to it as your needs change.
Most all-in-one kits are kind of stupid for most uses, they are always lacking some important things you need, have some crap you won't need that you will haul all over creation because it's part of "the kit". I should know, I own three of them (kits) and I have kind of ended up assembling my own from what I have.
All the best,
Dan
For a basic lighting kit good for shooting single and double person interviews or small, CU narrative style scenes, I would begin with a keylight as I described in this thread
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=67571
Then I would add a 36" white and gold flexfill as a fill source.
I would consider something small like a Lowel Pro-Light as a rim/hairlight. I would buy three cheap Manfrotto three stage aluminum light stands, a few 8lb sandbags, a few used 24" x 36" solid flags, a couple of used 40" C-Stands with 40" arms. I would also consider a small 300-650 watt used fresnel of some kind as a BG light, accent light. Can also be aimed at white ceilings as overall fill. You could put this kit together, with careful shopping for around $1,200.00. You will then have a much better start than some lame Lowel kit with it's useless light stands, non-existant flags, no sandbags or C-stands and only open faced lights. You would own gear that you can use for 20 years and will never need to sell or replace, if you take care of it. You could just keep adding to it as your needs change.
Most all-in-one kits are kind of stupid for most uses, they are always lacking some important things you need, have some crap you won't need that you will haul all over creation because it's part of "the kit". I should know, I own three of them (kits) and I have kind of ended up assembling my own from what I have.
All the best,
Dan
Capt Quirk
Veteran
I have to disagree with any of the Lowel lights. I bought one kit and was so disappointed with the cheap set screws and plastic knobs. After a short time in use, the set screws would no longer hold the weight of an umbrela. The plastic knobs would shatter before you could tighten it down enough. I have a feeling this is one of the reasons you always see a bunch of them for sale in forums like this. Look at Altman Lights if you can't afford Arris, they are generally a bit less in price from what I've seen, and supposed to be about the same quality. Get them one at a time if you need to.
Panther
Member
I have to agree, Lowel lights aren't the best. As I mentioned in a previous post, I lost more gloves to them and the screw mount should be reinforced do to heat exchange.
One option is Photoflex Starlite Digital Kit
http://photoflex.com/Photoflex_Products/Starlite_Basic_Digital_Kit/index.html
BH -- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...097&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
If you go with this kit, be very cautious with the bulb. Use cotton gloves to screw in them in do to oils from your hands. And remember to unscrew the bulb after use -- please use proper cool down and take down procedures!
One option is Photoflex Starlite Digital Kit
http://photoflex.com/Photoflex_Products/Starlite_Basic_Digital_Kit/index.html
BH -- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...097&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
If you go with this kit, be very cautious with the bulb. Use cotton gloves to screw in them in do to oils from your hands. And remember to unscrew the bulb after use -- please use proper cool down and take down procedures!
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BrianMurphy
Veteran
Dan's advice is great and buying one quality instrument and then investing in all the other "stuff" is a good route. You can always rent and try a variety of lights and see what works best for your work and budget. About Lowel gear, I have been using Lowel lights for years. They are not the "best" but they are lightweight and if you take care of them they will last. They are inexpensive. I carry a Lowel Pro in my tripod case along with a chimera and it is a great instrument.
I have loaned my Totas to people and they have not used them correctly with my chimeras and thus "Tota Meltdown" but most of the issues with them are minor if your are shooting heads and small stuff for docs etc.
If you work features , you will rarely see them used ,they won't stand up to that use.
Arri lights are great, Moles are too, I have no experience with Altman but others here do. I just bought 2 Strand 1K Fresnels used for very little money on ebay. So the used market is a good route.
I have loaned my Totas to people and they have not used them correctly with my chimeras and thus "Tota Meltdown" but most of the issues with them are minor if your are shooting heads and small stuff for docs etc.
If you work features , you will rarely see them used ,they won't stand up to that use.
Arri lights are great, Moles are too, I have no experience with Altman but others here do. I just bought 2 Strand 1K Fresnels used for very little money on ebay. So the used market is a good route.
HorseFilms
Look ma no hands
I'll have to agree on the Pro Light. It's a pretty rugged and useful piece of gear (cheap, too). It's my favorite of the Lowels. I haven't used a Rifa yet, but I think I'd dig that, too.
Arri, Mole, Altman... I've used them all and they rock. No complaints.
Arri, Mole, Altman... I've used them all and they rock. No complaints.
Chris Messineo
Veteran
I've had the Lowel DVCreator 55 Kit (http://dvcreators.net/lowel-dvcreators-light-kits) for several years now. I have never had any issues with it (maybe I'm just lucky), but I think it is an excellent starter lighting kit.
Recently I have begun working a lot more with KinoFlo lights and I love them, but the Lowel set has served me very well.
Chris
Recently I have begun working a lot more with KinoFlo lights and I love them, but the Lowel set has served me very well.
Chris