Build me an...

[Zac C]

Army, worthy of MORDOR!


No, a 3 Piece light Kit, please, for $600..

Let me give some background, I've done a ton of searching on this, I just cannot find the exact things I need, I do not truly know exactly what I need, I'm a newb to HMI, n00b to Flood Fresnel and Open faced (well kinda)

So, for 600 american dollars, I'd like a nice 3 point light kit.

What are the benefits of an Umbrella... I know some stuff about lights, softboxes.... im not that newbish... but just explain what you can....

I question everythin, and understand nothing...





Z

[Kyle Presley]

Check this out, I think it may help you:

http://imagewest.tv/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=2

[Zac C]

Check this out, I think it may help you:

http://imagewest.tv/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=2


I agree with jared when he said you are amazing!!

Thanks Dude...!

Z

[Kyle Presley]

:thumbup:No Problem!:thumbup:

[JonFairhurst]

How's this for a small three light setup with lots of control...

300W fresnel key light - $220
http://www.coollights.biz/dtw300-300w-compact-tungsten-fresnel-p-56.html

150W fresnel back light - $190
http://www.coollights.biz/dtw150-150w-compact-tungsten-fresnel-p-55.html

300W - 800W Tota (bounce off a wall/umbrella/sheet/foamcore as a soft fill) - $115 (Cheaper than a softbox.)

http://www.amazon.com/Lowel-Tota-light-Angle-Quartz-300-800w/dp/B00015R3KO

That leaves $75 for stands.

This isn't a ton of light, but offers good control on the key and back lights. The Tota is really broad, but will be super soft with the right bounce. You want more light for a 1/3" cam, but this kit would be great for a 5D MkII, or FF35. Not sure about the 2/3". We have yet to see specs and pics.

If you get a sensitive camera and go with the 300W Tota lamp, you'll have a lightweight kit that won't blow fuses or make your actors squint and sweat.

[Granty]

Did I hear someone asking about budget lighting:

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Mr-Studio-One

[Zac C]

Oh BTW update, thanks Kyle, i ordered from imagewest, bought a 3 point kit and a Fresnel softbox kit

[Pietro Impagliazzo]

Soft light comes in handy lots of times.

Have you ever saw those shots that looked bad with lots of hotspots with the forehead of the subject glowing like golden piece... Those shots would be a lot better with soft light sources.

So look into a softbox.

And if you don't know what exactly to buy, take a look into Blain Brown's Motion Picture and Video Lighting book.

It gives a great insight about equipments.

[Kyle Presley]

Oh BTW update, thanks Kyle, i ordered from imagewest, bought a 3 point kit and a Fresnel softbox kit

NICE! Let me know how it works out.

[David Rasberry]

I like that Image West 4980 4-light fluorescent daylight balanced kit, 3 scoops and a softbox. Nice for $599.00 including stands and case.

[Tim Hole]

Once received we expect a full blown review on the quality of lights...PLEASE!!!!

I'm a dedicated follower of Coollights but be interested in how this kit plays out for you.

[Zac C]

Alright, mini review, since i just got the lights

I ordered https://02c4947.netsolstores.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5
^the 399 One

and one of these- https://02c4947.netsolstores.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=104

Altogether came to $600 even..



Now I got them today, came in a huge 4 by 1 by 1foot box, weighed 42 pounds, the reason i say this is because it was hard to handle and the UPS guy said it was a hassle (i guess they could have no accepted it) So i got it in, opened it all up, very nicely packaged. Got everything undone, came with alot of stuff.


Quality-
The three point light kit, consists of 2-650watt lights, basically work lights better made, and come with barn doors. then it comes with a 250watt Flood light, bascially one you get at the hardware store, but they nall come with the cheap C-stands, which actually hold up pretty well, all the stuff has the plastic feeling, but thus far shooting some test stuff, its really nice.
the large 1000w softbox light is very well built, it just feel professional, and the softbox is well made, its dimmable, so thats a nice feature:thumbsup:

I've only had it for a day, im shooting with the HMC150

this is all of it together, missing the Gels and more two umbrellas
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3409/3193288182_fc885db8de.jpg


and here's a shot i did, to the right of him (our right) was the softbox, maybe half power, to his rear and the left was one of the 650watt, with barn doors, closed to just his head, and in front of him, just to the left of the camera was the 250watt flood maybe 6 feet in the air...

(ithink the room lights were on above him... so that kinda kills the lighting...)

and its not me...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3192334153_9c161cdcdf.jpg

[PsYcHoSiD]

Though I'm a firm believer in "it's not the tools it's what you do with them" (how many of us have used a radio flyer as a dolly eh?) and the quality of that pic is nice to...

But for the same pice you paid, 600 bucks, I was able to get...

http://www.smithvictor.com/products/detail.asp?prodid=435

and

http://www.smithvictor.com/products/detail.asp?prodid=87&id=13&pid=1&s1=Lighting+Kits&s2=Quartz+Kits++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++&nm=K33+KIT

I almost bought from image west, but I wasn't going to get all the lights
I needed for all situations I needed for my upcoming shoot (Shooting some
Green screen, hence the studio floods)
The stands are sturdy the cases are hard and tightly packed, and I couldnt be happier. The wierd thing is, how I got them so cheap was I found them on Amazon.com of all places... along with my field mixer when
B&H went out of stock.

[Zac C]

But for the same pice you paid, 600 bucks, I was able to get...

http://www.smithvictor.com/products/detail.asp?prodid=435

and

http://www.smithvictor.com/products/detail.asp?prodid=87&id=13&pid=1&s1=Lighting+Kits&s2=Quartz+Kits++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++&nm=K33+KIT

I almost bought from image west, but I wasn't going to get all the lights
I needed for all situations I needed for my upcoming shoot (Shooting some
Green screen, hence the studio floods)
The stands are sturdy the cases are hard and tightly packed, and I couldnt be happier. The wierd thing is, how I got them so cheap was I found them on Amazon.com of all places... along with my field mixer when
B&H went out of stock.


Yes, but yours are basic flood lights... i got 1 flood light, 2 650 watt halo lights, and a 1k softbox and the softbox is dimmable


I've looked at those lights you have for a few months, they had them everywhere, even at my ritz camera at the mall, but they just weren't for me, i needed dimmable and with barn doors, thats a steal for all of it for 600 bucks, but i don't need that much light... thats 2600, and for my 600 i got 2550, but dimmable...

The stand for mine are basically the same as yours, ill bet money they are made by the same people, we both got lights that are cheap, low quality... my 3 light kit 1550 watt, was $399 and the softbox with light was $149

[Erik Bien]

I just bought a pair of pretty decent stands (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200297046657) for $40 shipped (unfortunately all the current listings I see are $10 more expensive). Much better than the junky ones included with my cheap-o fluorescent softbox kit (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180318262726) (and probably no more expensive than replacing half the globes the first time it topples over).

Each stand comes in its own zippered bag, and the bag with carrying handles meant to hold both of them is actually so nice I decided the stands (in their own bags) could fend for themselves in the golf case (http://www.amazon.com/SKB-2SKB-4812WS-Standard-Golf-Travel/dp/B0007VNZDG/) I use to carry the rest of my motley assortment of stands and grip gear and I'm stylin' a free new soft case for my tripod!

[Zac C]

I just bought a pair of pretty decent stands (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200297046657) for $40 shipped (unfortunately all the current listings I see are $10 more expensive). Much better than the junky ones included with my cheap-o fluorescent softbox kit (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180318262726) (and probably no more expensive than replacing half the globes the first time it topples over).

Each stand comes in its own zippered bag, and the bag with carrying handles meant to hold both of them is actually so nice I decided the stands (in their own bags) could fend for themselves in the golf case (http://www.amazon.com/SKB-2SKB-4812WS-Standard-Golf-Travel/dp/B0007VNZDG/) I use to carry the rest of my motley assortment of stands and grip gear and I'm stylin' a free new soft case for my tripod!

i have those exact stands with my lights:thumbsup:

[Zac C]

Oh, BTW, after using these lights for about a year, they work great, but the bottom of the 650's where you can stick an umbrella in, is falling apart, not able to take the weight of the umbrellas, and cracking the light open...

WhoopS!

maybe time to invest in some HMI/HID's

[Peter Mosiman]

Good of you to bring this thread back up Zac.

I actually have been working on building a really cool/cheap solution to ambient light.

I am slowly putting together a 500w mogul with a mogul to socket adapter to put into a 36" Chinese lantern. Now, the 500w is about 200w more than the recommended amount of heat to put into a 36" Chinese Lantern, however, I was told that it has been done before and that as long as you turn off the light when you are not shooting its not a big deal. I just went to Barbizon today and bought the 500w mogul (as it has a way longer shelf-life than a 500w socket bulb - roughly 2000 more hours worth) and the adapter and a 4800K 500w socket bulb. I am going to build a more capable socket via home depot.

I'll keep you guys posted as to what happens...I might even start my own thread as to not derail Zac's here. But I thought you guys would find this to be cool!

[David Rasberry]

Good of you to bring this thread back up Zac.

I actually have been working on building a really cool/cheap solution to ambient light.

I am slowly putting together a 500w mogul with a mogul to socket adapter to put into a 36" Chinese lantern. Now, the 500w is about 200w more than the recommended amount of heat to put into a 36" Chinese Lantern, however, I was told that it has been done before and that as long as you turn off the light when you are not shooting its not a big deal. I just went to Barbizon today and bought the 500w mogul (as it has a way longer shelf-life than a 500w socket bulb - roughly 2000 more hours worth) and the adapter and a 4800K 500w socket bulb. I am going to build a more capable socket via home depot.

I'll keep you guys posted as to what happens...I might even start my own thread as to not derail Zac's here. But I thought you guys would find this to be cool!

Chinese lanterns are great with daylight balanced flo's. Heat not a problem.

[Zac C]

Good of you to bring this thread back up Zac.

I actually have been working on building a really cool/cheap solution to ambient light.

I am slowly putting together a 500w mogul with a mogul to socket adapter to put into a 36" Chinese lantern. Now, the 500w is about 200w more than the recommended amount of heat to put into a 36" Chinese Lantern, however, I was told that it has been done before and that as long as you turn off the light when you are not shooting its not a big deal. I just went to Barbizon today and bought the 500w mogul (as it has a way longer shelf-life than a 500w socket bulb - roughly 2000 more hours worth) and the adapter and a 4800K 500w socket bulb. I am going to build a more capable socket via home depot.



I'm feeling kinda iffy throwing a 500 Mogul in a lantern, just seems to be too much heat, to close, Flo's would the the way I'd go with chinese lanterns... I'd be afraid of melting.

[Cirebocaj]

You know.....if you're shooting a no-budget peice, halogen lights are great. They're cheap as hell (I picked up a handfull of 250 watt lights with bulbs in them for 7 usd per, and a 1000 watt light with a tripod for thirty bucks), and they give off a really great warm light. Cardboard boxes with muslin draped and drawn taught across the opening make terrific softboxes as well.

If you have the money (or are shooting for a client), go for studio lights for sure, but there certainly are some inexpensive alternatives if you're low on cash, I built myself two soft boxed lights, a keylight, and a background light for under 80 dollars. XD