I'm going with the Kino Flo Diva-Lite 400 Universal Two Fluorescent Light Kit (100-265VAC)
for a trip to Africa in 3 weeks.

Here's my question:

Should I go with the True Match Compact Fluorescent Lamp - 55 Watts/5500K - 21"
or go for the indoor 3200k bulbs? My idea now is to go with the 5500k bulbs and use orange gels for inside locations (knowing that 75% of my shooting will be outdoors). There are two bank of lights in this kit which I am going with: Kino Flo | Diva-Lite 400 Universal Two | KIT-D42-120U | B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=489865&is=REG)

Someone also suggested mixing bulb types in the fixture to get a unique light but I am skeptical of that. Anyone use these lights in the field have any advise?

I don't know about you, but I'd ask myself this question.

Which is the more likely scenario:

A. I will shoot indoors with incandescent lights and no windows.

B. I will shootoutdoors

C. I will shoot indoors in rooms with windows.


If your answer is A, then buy the 3200K bulbs. Otherwise get the 5500s.

Good post Perrone,
I may have a couple studio shoots indoors with no windows, but I am willing to "break the rules". I think I'll go with the 5500k's. Thanks!

Larry:

Just beware that the output of the Diva 400 against the African sun renders them useless in full daylight and marginally useful for a little fill in shaded areas. Kinos are great and you will like them but fluoros are pretty wimpy as far as output. The smallest instrument that can do anything against the sun would be something like a 2.5k HMI PAR and up.

Have a great trip but bring a reflector or two also.

Dan

Here are the reflectors I am bringing:

Impact | 22" 5-in-1 Reflector with Lightstand and | CRK-22K (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=283645&is=REG)

Impact | 42" 5-in-1 Reflector with Lightstand and | CRK-42K (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=283648&is=REG)

This should help in filling the light.

Here are the reflectors I am bringing:

Impact | 22" 5-in-1 Reflector with Lightstand and | CRK-22K (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=283645&is=REG)

Impact | 42" 5-in-1 Reflector with Lightstand and | CRK-42K (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=283648&is=REG)

This should help in filling the light.

Those look like they should do the trick. What are you filming over there? What is your project?

Dan

Hi Dan,
We're recording dancers and musicians in villages around and in the city of Bamako, Mali.
We will have a lot of outdoor interviews, and I will try to put the lights close to the subjects so I think going with the 5500's are my best bet. In some cases, we will go with the reflectors only.
Thanks for the advise!

Hi Dan,
We're recording dancers and musicians in villages around and in the city of Bamako, Mali.
We will have a lot of outdoor interviews, and I will try to put the lights close to the subjects so I think going with the 5500's are my best bet. In some cases, we will go with the reflectors only.
Thanks for the advise!

Sounds like a great adventure. Yes, outdoors in full daylight, Kinos aren't going to do much for you. Your reflectors will.

Dan

Make sure that you have a couple of spare tubes - if one brakes you loose two tubes as they only work in pairs.

I would take 3 (or 4) of each and mix them up but if I had to choose one colour it would be daylight.

do not ship the fixture with lamps in it. they will not survive. pack all of your tubes in a lamp case. or the cardboard box that they were shipped to you in.