Basic interview lighting kit? at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Photon Management

Photon Management
Shine an ever-loving light on you.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old October 26th, 2007, 09:00 PM   #1
Major Player
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Posts: 425
Basic interview lighting kit?

I'd like to get a 3 light kit to light sit-down 'talking head' type interviews in the field. My ideal kit would cost around $350.

I'm thinking of a tungsten kit - 3 lights, maybe 1 500W, 2 250W? A softbox would be great. Barndoors would be nice, but I don't know if I could get that for $350. I already have some gels.

It doesn't seem like I'd be able to get a lowel kit for that price. I've seen lower price kits from other manufacturers, but I hear horror stories of shoddy construction.

I guess a fluorescent light would be good, but is out of the question for $350?

I suppose these 'give me a recommendation' questions aren't very popular, but I read a lot of the other threads, and I'm not sure they exactly answered my situation. So thanks in advance, as always.
Dennis Stevens is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 27th, 2007, 04:34 AM   #2
Major Player
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: France
Posts: 578
Hi Dennis
Check out the Lowell kits they are pretty good, with soft boxes and umbrellas... but you'll probably be pushed to find one new as cheaply as $350...

cheers
Gareth
Gareth Watkins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 27th, 2007, 07:11 AM   #3
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Shenzhen, China
Posts: 781
Unfortunately in that price range, your looking at DIY or some kind of inexpensive open face type lights. The other option may be to watch Ebay for great deals on used fixtures. I think you'll find though that the lower wattage units like you want are more popular and also thus, more expensive in resale value as well.
__________________
Richard Andrewski - Cool Lights USA - RED #114
http://www.coollights.biz
Richard Andrewski is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 27th, 2007, 08:57 AM   #4
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Wurzburg, Germany
Posts: 316
Maybe you could buy one professional softbox/fluorescent for your key light and use cheaper lights for the rest. Backgrounds don't necessarily need to be lit with a 800$ Arri unit.
I just bought 3 nice clamp lights for 13 Euro each - they look like small PARs, have a clamp or stand attachment, and you can put 100W R80 reflector lamps in them. I haven't gotten them yet, but I think they are nice to work with (as long as I have a good keylight, I think I could pull a nice interview setup with these lamps for background/kickers etc.)
Heiko Saele is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 27th, 2007, 10:34 AM   #5
Major Player
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Posts: 425
Thanks guys.

I'm thinking of getting an Interfit-Paterson 2 light softbox fluorescent kit I saw on b&h for $350. The more I think about it, fluorescent lights would work really well for me. Tight spaces, long interviews under hot lights, etc. I'm thinking I could get another light for a back light in the near future.

I guess Interfit-Paterson isn't one of big brands - Arri and Lowel seem to be on the top. But I have a friend who lets me borrow his big Arri kit from time to time. So I wouldn't be using it everyday, just for somewhat smaller jobs, when I usually can't get a hold of my friend's kit.
Dennis Stevens is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 29th, 2007, 08:01 AM   #6
New Boot
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Stockholm
Posts: 23
Just recently recived my Lowell TotaLight, stand, umbrella and reflector. First impression is that a small and relatively inexpensive kit like that would be sufficient for you needs. Wheight for the Tota equals a rolled Sunday Times and takes up less space.
Peter Wittinghoff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 31st, 2007, 12:35 PM   #7
Major Player
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Estes Park, CO USA
Posts: 426
I picked up a 3-light photoflood kit (Smith Victor KT900) for $289, shipped. It has 2 12" reflectors w/ umbrellas and a 5" reflector boom kit, 3 stands, etc. The stands are aluminum, and superior to the cheap steel Britek ones I've used before.

I use CFLs in the sockets (not the kit's photofloods), and have added Y-adapters when I need more light. I have a set of daylight and tungsten balanced bulbs, so I can match my white balance to what I need to shoot. I get my bulbs, 32w and 40w ones from my local Home Depot (N:vision series) for around $8/each. The kit draws very little amperage and little heat compared to tungsten.

Even open-faced, the CFLs are very soft, so I seldom pull out the umbrellas. I often use a regular incandescent bulb on the boom as a hairlight, since I want it warmer and more directional. I snoot it down with card paper when necessary.

Hope this helps,
Brian Brown
BrownCow Productions
http://www.browncowvideo.com
Brian Brown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 31st, 2007, 02:32 PM   #8
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 107
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Brown View Post
I use CFLs in the sockets (not the kit's photofloods), and have added Y-adapters when I need more light. I have a set of daylight and tungsten balanced bulbs, so I can match my white balance to what I need to shoot. I get my bulbs, 32w and 40w ones from my local Home Depot (N:vision series) for around $8/each. The kit draws very little amperage and little heat compared to tungsten.
Thanks, Brian. I'd heard that you couldn't fit CFLs in the sockets of these unless you got special extended base bulbs. Thanks for putting the lie to that myth...
Rob Gregory-Browne is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 31st, 2007, 04:03 PM   #9
Major Player
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Estes Park, CO USA
Posts: 426
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Gregory-Browne View Post
Thanks, Brian. I'd heard that you couldn't fit CFLs in the sockets of these unless you got special extended base bulbs. Thanks for putting the lie to that myth...
Rob, it's not a myth that the CFLs don't fit in the socket, but the workaround is the Y-socket adapters take care of that issue. Plus, they allow you to use an extra bulb, when needed. You could potentially daisy-chain a bunch of Y-base adapters and have a BIG light, when needed... since you're not taxing the amperage of the socket with these low-wattage bulbs.

The adapters are about $2-3 from your local hardware or big-box stores. You could also use a socket/plug adapter to get the extension necessary.

Cheers,
Brian
Brian Brown is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Photon Management

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:15 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network