What lighting to buy? - I'm a beginner!

[modave]

I'd like to start videotaping families (i.e., interviewing family members - in their homes, in their back yards, wherever), and I'd like to purchase some lighting equipment for situations where the natural lighting isn't sufficient. One key consideration is I don't want equipment that looks too "intimidating", because I want the family members to feel comfortable and "at home" as much as possible.

For now, I'll be using a Sony Handycam Mini DV digital video camera. A videographer I spoke to recommended I purchase two Lowel soft boxes, to be set at 45-degree angles from the person(s) I'm interviewing. I looked online and found the "Rifa-lite" system (four models... Max 300 watt, Max 500 watt, Max 750 watt, and Max 1000 watt). Does anyone have any suggestions on whether to go with two soft boxes versus some other type of lighting equipment? Which model (wattage) of soft box would you recommend? Do you recommend I use two soft boxes, or is just one enough?
rogar-Evil(DBG):

 

[Charli]

I don't know if I'd buy two softboxes as my only light. I would rather buy the
Rostronics.com lighting kit if you are just going to do family and home videos.
But, hey, I don't know squat, that's just what I'd do.

Charli

 

[modave]

I don't know if I'd buy two softboxes as my only light. I would rather buy the
Rostronics.com lighting kit if you are just going to do family and home videos.
But, hey, I don't know squat, that's just what I'd do.

Charli

Thanks for the reply! I appreciate it.

 

[dustino]

I'll second Charli's advice for your situation. I'd buy the 600w kit from Rostronics (300w x2, comes with one softbox). I just finished a shoot this week for a client and my briteks got as much work as my other more expensive lights. Be careful with the GY-650 model, though. It seems like people are having trouble with that one model (which is too bad because I was ready to buy a couple until I kept seeing posts about people's troubles.)

 

[modave]

I'll second Charli's advice for your situation. I'd buy the 600w kit from Rostronics (300w x2, comes with one softbox). I just finished a shoot this week for a client and my briteks got as much work as my other more expensive lights. Be careful with the GY-650 model, though. It seems like people are having trouble with that one model (which is too bad because I was ready to buy a couple until I kept seeing posts about people's troubles.)

Thanks for the input! I appreciate it!