Good Starter Light Kit at DVinfo.net

Nick Royer · December 7th, 2007, 12:32 AM

I really know nothing about lights because I've never used them before but I'd like to buy a starter kit in the $1500- range that I can start with that is powerful enough to do some indoor lighting situations and stuff.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ator_55_4.html I looked at the 55, and I want to know if you think that's a good option.

Also, what else will I need besides the light kit? BTW I am a high school students so it can't be too expensive.

Ben Syverson · December 7th, 2007, 01:28 AM

You might want to check out this thread:
http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=109431

Les Caudle · December 8th, 2007, 10:39 AM

Nick - you might try the fluorescent softboxes here:
http://2692883288.monstercommercesit...PROD&ProdID=37

from http://www.imagewest.tv/

I bought 5 of them (6400 watts) for quite a bit less than $1k and am quite happy so far. Britek is the manufacturer.

No flicker, good daylight color. You 'dim' them by turning off banks (each has for banks).

fluors have the advantage of less heat on the 'talent'.

Be sure to negotiate the price.

Shiv Kumar · December 10th, 2007, 01:05 PM

Nick,

What kind of shooting do you need lights for and where to you primarily plan to shoot? That is do you plan to shoot in a "studio" where you have control over many aspects such as availability to power for the lights, controling stray light, space etc.

If it's interviews, is it single person or multi person? In their office or your studio?

Having gone down the route of buying a "kit", I strongly suggest not going down this route. Kits never give you everything you need and you're paying for stuff you don't need as well.

Generally for lighting of interviews you'll need a few lights:
1. A Soft box as your key light with light and stand.
2. A back light to light the subject from behind to create serperation (head and shoulders) from the background. A boom to hold this light.
3. One or two lights with stands to light up the background.
4. A reflector and C-Stand with grip to hold the reflector/foan core board.

For interview lighting (the lights you'll need as we as technique) there is a nice video by Vortex media http://vortexmedia.com.

December 7th, 2007, 12:32 AM	#1
Nick Royer Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 133	Good Starter Light Kit I really know nothing about lights because I've never used them before but I'd like to buy a starter kit in the $1500- range that I can start with that is powerful enough to do some indoor lighting situations and stuff. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ator_55_4.html I looked at the 55, and I want to know if you think that's a good option. Also, what else will I need besides the light kit? BTW I am a high school students so it can't be too expensive. __________________ Sincerely, Nick Royer

December 10th, 2007, 01:05 PM	#4
Shiv Kumar Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gainesville, VA, USA Posts: 327	Nick, What kind of shooting do you need lights for and where to you primarily plan to shoot? That is do you plan to shoot in a "studio" where you have control over many aspects such as availability to power for the lights, controling stray light, space etc. If it's interviews, is it single person or multi person? In their office or your studio? Having gone down the route of buying a "kit", I strongly suggest not going down this route. Kits never give you everything you need and you're paying for stuff you don't need as well. Generally for lighting of interviews you'll need a few lights: 1. A Soft box as your key light with light and stand. 2. A back light to light the subject from behind to create serperation (head and shoulders) from the background. A boom to hold this light. 3. One or two lights with stands to light up the background. 4. A reflector and C-Stand with grip to hold the reflector/foan core board. For interview lighting (the lights you'll need as we as technique) there is a nice video by Vortex media http://vortexmedia.com. __________________ Canon XH-A1, Libec LS-55M, Letus Extreme, Steadicam Merlin, PPro CS3

December 7th, 2007, 01:28 AM	#2
Ben Syverson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 434	You might want to check out this thread: http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=109431

December 8th, 2007, 10:39 AM	#3
Les Caudle Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 45	Nick - you might try the fluorescent softboxes here: http://2692883288.monstercommercesit...PROD&ProdID=37 from http://www.imagewest.tv/ I bought 5 of them (6400 watts) for quite a bit less than $1k and am quite happy so far. Britek is the manufacturer. No flicker, good daylight color. You 'dim' them by turning off banks (each has for banks). fluors have the advantage of less heat on the 'talent'. Be sure to negotiate the price.