What's a good lighting kit? (that won't break the bank and is beginner friendly)

M

Melchior

Member
Hey, I'm looking to get a little lighting kit for myself that can handle lighting basic interiors well without a need to get terribly fancy.

These are basically the two kits I've used in the past, and I was looking to get something similar, but maybe that is flourescent or LED. The power draw on the arri kit is pretty high and I'd like to be able to use the kit where there may not necessarily be that much wattage available. The lowel kit was alright, but it just felt cheaply made.

It's been awhile since i've been in the DP game so any other input is appreaciated as well.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/541089-REG/Arri_571959W_Compact_Fresnel_Three_Light_Kit.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/285929-REG/Lowel_DV_903Z_DV_Creator_55_Kit.html
 
I would say definitely go with the ARRI fresnels over the lowel open face. The ARRI's will be far more versatile. ie. shoot an even beam across a room, or just bounce off a white board for some fill.
 
Absolutely, given the choice of those two kits, go with the Arri Fresnels. A Fresnel light is the most controllable light you can get. You can adjust it from spot to flood, you can easily scrim it and you can put them on a dimmer. You can pull the lens off of the front and get the same quality of light that you can get with an open faced light. With the barn doors you can shape the beam and they are easy to gel. Like starcentral said, you can shoot an even beam across a room or use them as a bounce source. You can shoot them through diffusion, bounce them off of a white ceiling (Ceiling bounce) or off a bounce source on the floor (Skip bounce) and, with the control they have, you can really vary the light that you get with each method. That whole Arri kit can be powered off of one 15 amp household circuit. You will not, at this time, get the versatility and output that you can with those Arri Fresnels, for the same cost, with fluorescent or LED lights. Go with the Fresnels. You will not regret it.
 
Thats a great little fresnel kit.... a lot of value for money. And remember with todays hyper sensitive cameras you probably dont need more power than this...
 
Personally.I would not be going for a "fresnel" kit for basic interior room lighting.

I would include one or two in a kit but the most versatile light (IMHO) is a 2K open face ( ie "blonde" or ARRI modern equvalent)

Versatile = output, domestic power friendly, direct/ diffuseable (frames), rugged, light weight.


I would suggest at least 2-3 x "blondes", plus a Chimera rig, plus 2 x medium fresnels (1k and 650K)...plus diff frames and cutters etc.

Even that would be a massive stretch to light subjects in an average room/office ( especially in daylight conditions)
 
Melchior said:
Hey, I'm looking to get a little lighting kit for myself that can handle lighting basic interiors well without a need to get terribly fancy.
Click to expand...


What are basic interiors for you? As I would likely choose different lighting instruments depending on the job. Are you shooting sit-down interviews, kitchen cooking shots, design & architectural, narrative films?
 
Thanks for the replies all. I'm looking to do narrative film, one camera set up (maybe two if I'm lucky), small local commercials for small business, etc.

I've used an Arri kit before, and it's really great and functional. My biggest gripe was how hot they would get, which was why I was looking into fluorescents, but there doesn't seem to be a whole lot in my price range for a functional kit.
 
If you are looking for cost effective flo's I highly highly recommend the often overlooked (or perhaps not overly heard about) Alzo Digital dimmable flo banks.

I own a set and honestly have ZERO complaints about them. They have 2 and 4 bank versions, they are dimmable, and have square edges which means you can actually stand them up on a floor, table, etc.. if you want to (Kino's are rounded so always need to be mounted to a stand). You can get 5600k or 3200k bulbs.

If you are not in a rush they often do 10-15% off deals or you can even contact them and ask for a courtesy discount and sometimes they will do it. Around $400 gets you a dimmable 4 bank 2 foot fixture with grid, diffusion fabric cover, and barn doors. Slightly less $ gets you a 2 bank 2 foot fixture.

I do not work for Alzo - but every time I mention them its like no one has ever heard of them.

You will not regret them, especially for the price.
 
I second the ALZO Pan-L-Lite suggestion, i just got the 4 bank version about a month ago and have been using it for a few shots and it has produced great results every single time. I've been thinking about ordering a second one soon.
 
Melchoir, if you decide to go with Lowel, I have a kit for sale very similar to the one you listed for $650.
Starcentral, do you have a link to the flo bank from alzo? I can't seem to find it online.
 
starcentral said:
This link will show you a the two sized banks they carry, as well as some other really cool products. I'm thinking of getting the drum overhead light, this is a great way to do overhead light with curtain to prevent spill.

http://www.alzovideo.com/selection_fluorescent_video_lights.htm
Click to expand...

I was looking at those top lights a while back. From that video, I was really kind of concerned about their build quality. If you get some, let us know what you think.
 
Just found this video using a RED Scarlet and the Alzo Pan Lite's combined with the overhead Drum lights... not bad, each drum can take 4 85w flo bulbs giving around 1200w equiv. in soft light.. that's pretty decent.

 
You really can NOT beat a few Lowel lights with barndoors (2x 1k, 2x 500w, 2x 250w) traveling in medium rolling Arri cases. Spend 1 hour learning how electricity works so you won't trip the breaker and you will have a kit that you will use in almost any situation.

Then as your experience evolves you can start adding things such as LEDs or fluorescent lights.
 
Has anyone handled the Alzo fluorescents AND the Flolight fluorescents? Pricing is basically equal between the two, so I'm just after the better option.

I've heard incredibly positive reviews of the build quality of the Flolights, but the Alzos look pretty comparable.

If anyone could shed some light on how they compare it'd be a huge help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top