Lighting kit suggestions
 

Hi - I'm looking to get a good lighting kit for interviews. What do you use/suggest?

Re: Lighting kit suggestions
 

Ian...my first recommendation is to purchase a DVD. Doug Jensen's/Vortex Media "How To Set-Up and Shoot Awesome Interviews with LED Lights", he has an older version DVD using Tungsten Lighting kit as well. The DVD provides Doug's rationale and his recommendations for the choice of lights and how he uses the lighting "system" to expertly light various 'interview' situations. In my opinion, this training DVD is worth every penny.

'Good' LED lights are quite expensive, but, IMHO, the advantages out-way the expense. And, it's my chosen solution. Using Tungsten lights cuts your costs significantly and have been used for years to obtain professional level results. Doug provides an equipment 'shopping list', be it LED or Tungsten, in each DVD.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

J.

Re: Lighting kit suggestions
 

It would help to know your budget.
?

Re: Lighting kit suggestions
 

Hi James -0 I actually attended one of Dougs seminars here is Dublin - might pick up that DVD! The FS100 one is tempting too...

I'm working on a budget of about 800 euro.

Re: Lighting kit suggestions
 

For whatever it's worth...

Most simple interview lighting setups I do involve a Lowel RIFA 55 (with 40 degree egg crate) and a Pro-light (with or without a diffuser umbrella), and a few 5-in-1 reflectors to taste. When possible, I sometimes add a second Pro-light to highlight a background. Such a simple kit should be well within your budget, and very easy to transport.

Despite the heat, I prefer tungsten as a dependable, even, full-spectrum light source - and relatively cheap.

Re: Lighting kit suggestions
 

I got rid of all my tungstens a year ago. Now I don't have to worry about conflict from window light, I don't have to use leather gloves to handle my lights, and I don't blow any circuit breakers. But the LEDs do fall off somewhat shorter.

Re: Lighting kit suggestions
 

+1 for watching Doug Jensen's DVD or offering your services as a PA on corporate shoots. My kit was built over the course of many years, as budget allowed. Now it's a hodge-podge, but 20% of the gear gets 80% of the use. Currently, my favorites are the 2 bank fluorescent case lights. About 1/2 the cost of LED, I get a nice soft source (with spill control from the honeycomb grids), comfortable talent, no blown circuits and pretty accurate skin tones. For hair light, I've gone with a 312 LED (bi-color). Even a cheap one will do a decent job as a hair light. Use black wrap if you need a tighter beam. When budget allows, I'd love an LED fresnel. A few 5-in-1 reflectors come in quite handy for fill, scrim or flag. I've seen good results with a China ball and a hard light source. the key is being creative and working the angles.

Re: Lighting kit suggestions
 

I have a garage full of lights, fluro & tungsten. I don't know why but the first kit I reach for (interview wise) is my old lowel totas with umbrellas & a couple of dedos for backlight. Love the results I can achieve with these old tunsten dinosaurs.I find the fluros very handy though for green screen and outdoor fill on a cloudy day.

Re: Lighting kit suggestions
 

+1 re Doug's DVD.

My standard set up is two Dedo Fellonis and two Dedo Ledzillas and a whole bunch of reflectors, diffusers and blacks to control light - both from the lights and other existing sources.

So all LED and generally running off V-lock batteries, or mains power if its going all day.

Have also found the Manfrotto Stacker stands to be great as they pack well for travel.