Hi,

I am trying to get some lighting (I have a small LED to hook up to the camcorder) for some interviews I have coming up, and looking around at lighting I see everything from Lowel RIFA ex to $100 systems on Ebay using those curly type lighbulb.

I know that you get what you pay for, and if you go cheap, then that's what you have. But I do know that from different boards there are lots of people shooting documentaries and interviews who don't have much money and do have lighting, so maybe there is something which is cheaper and semi durable, or cheaper and good as long as you take good care of it.

Main issue here is that I've read the other threads and I can't afford the $1000 units, the Chinese Ebay units are getting awful reviews, DIY I can't do as I have no skills with building anything. Lastly, it appears that a lot of the replies in other threads look for 2 lights.

Most of my interviews will be planned ahead of time allowing for setup time and breakdown time, however I don't think anyone wants to spend hours setting up a light.


BN, Porters, Ebay,

Brands? Household light bulbs, or the ones that you need gloves to put in, LED.

Are there any suggestions you can offer to me please, as I've said in other posts, your opinions mean the world to me, thanks so much.

You're getting these things out of proportion. The chinese are not getting awful reviews, they're getting comparative reviews against similar equipment at maybe four time the cost - so of course the build quality isn't so good, you need to test and maybe fix the electrics and all the other complaint areas - BUT, and it's a huge BUT - you get an awful lot for very little - and you can live with these issues, because they're still better the rubbish work lights or bodged up domestic stuff. For interviews you need at least 2, possibly 4. Depending on how you set the interviewees, you can use two keys, with each one being used to help fill the shadows from the other one - then maybe a back light.

I think you need to try to borrow some so you can experiment before you buy anything!

For my quick down and dirty interviews I use 2 or 3 of the 160 leds I bought off of Amazon. I set them up in about 2 minutes and set them as needed. On a boom on a stand on camera or any combination. Using the Sony 970 batteries even at full power I get about 3 hours out of them. Again I use these for down in the dirt type interviews. Usually last a few minutes each maybe 4 or 5 in a row then an hour of seminar then a few more interviews. Are they the best No. Do they do the job? Absolutely.
Pretty cheap too.

Bob - I use the fluorescent Diva Ring Light for interviews. It's soft, bright, and you can shoot through the middle of it for a single light setup in a pinch. It's better to have two or three, of course, but it's the only light I know of that can make a single light setup look good.

Here's my setup: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pAMXV4-Yl3g/Tgf1borKQEI/AAAAAAAAECQ/JmhaXwMUpF4/s802/P1010176.JPG

Here's the review that convinced me to buy one: Review: Stellar Lighting Diva Ring Light (http://www.lafcpug.org/reviews/review_diva_ring.html)

And here's a video review from Olivia: Lighting - Diva Ring Light Review on Vimeo

Good luck with your decision!

Cheers,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution (http://hybridcamerarevolution.blogspot.com)

For my quick down and dirty interviews I use 2 or 3 of the 160 leds I bought off of Amazon. I set them up in about 2 minutes and set them as needed. On a boom on a stand on camera or any combination. Using the Sony 970 batteries even at full power I get about 3 hours out of them. Again I use these for down in the dirt type interviews. Usually last a few minutes each maybe 4 or 5 in a row then an hour of seminar then a few more interviews. Are they the best No. Do they do the job? Absolutely.
Pretty cheap too.

Hi Don,

Do you have a link to the LED's you use or could you tell me the name. I'm interested in getting some very quick to set up lights for run and gun situations.

Thanks
Garrett

Bob - I use the fluorescent Diva Ring Light] for interviews.

In my opinion the ring light reflected in her eyes (:07) looks terrible, and would be completely unacceptable in any shows I have worked on.

Garrett,
Go to Amazon and search for Neewer. They make a lot of different products for photo/video. All pretty inexpensive and certainly not as good as other stuff out there but I've been using these since the beginning of the year and they've worked out well for me.
The filters that come with aren't as true as I'd like them to be (the "3200 specifically) but with a bit of gel it works out pretty well.

Thanks Don,

I'm really just looking for something cheap, gets some light on the subject, sets up quickly, and I don't have to worry if it gets knocked around a bit.

I'll check them out.

Garrett

That's exactly why I bought them. Fast setup, cheap, decent throw and small compact to carry.
I even have a remote on one of them (thanks to Chris Harding for a bit of help wiring it-I can stand about 100 feet away and pop it on/off. It makes people crazy)

O|O
\--/

...Are there any suggestions you can offer to me please...

Lighting is a journey and you must start it with something. If you keep going, you will end up getting a set of nice lights and the other stuff that goes with it.

But if you just want someone to tell you what to do, here: Get used Lowel lights from ebay to save some money. A RIfa 44 (or bigger if you can afford it. the 44 is only 250w which is low. 500w softbox is better), and two Pro lights (one 120w and the other 250) with barn doors and gel frames is a start. THese are all tungsten indoor lights of the same color temp. Don't mix in LED. They are different color temp. Get a couple dimmers for the Lowel lights at Harbor Freight (they are router controls). Add a case of some kind for the fixtures and some black 3-prong extension cords. You'll need 3 light stands. Air softened are preferable. 8-10 footers (aluminum not steel) should do nicely.

Search here on DVinfo using the terms "lighting kit" an you will find many many threads asking the same things you ask.

Here's an article on lighting kit philosophy I subscribe to: Light Kit (http://www.bluesky-web.com/light-kit.htm)

Some great tutorials on lighting are here (especially the on on Chiaroscuro and the Depth of Field myth): Walter Graff - Instruction (http://www.bluesky-web.com/index-5.html)

In my opinion the ring light reflected in her eyes (:07) looks terrible, and would be completely unacceptable in any shows I have worked on.

I totally agree.

Hi Les,

Thanks for the reply.

I can't afford to start off with 3 lights.

You mentioned don't go with 250W so here are the only 2 EBAY links for 500W

Lowel LC-55EX Rifa-Lite-55 500w 21"x21" | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lowel-LC-55EX-Rifa-Lite-55-500w-21-x21-/261006563930?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc5341a5a) $550

USED Lowel LC-55 Rifa Lite LC55EX LC55 Camera Light 500W | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lowel-LC-55-Rifa-Lite-LC55EX-LC55-Camera-Light-500W-/350576484823?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item519ffca1d7) $395

250W Lowel LC-44EX 250W Rifa eX Softbox Light | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lowel-LC-44EX-250W-Rifa-eX-Softbox-Light-/130453748903?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e5fa63ca7) $340

You get the idea. I wish I could afford more, it's already sad that I feel by the time I get geared up decent, my camera will be obsolete and I won't have enough money to invest in another camera.



Lighting is a journey and you must start it with something. If you keep going, you will end up getting a set of nice lights and the other stuff that goes with it.

But if you just want someone to tell you what to do, here: Get used Lowel lights from ebay to save some money. A RIfa 44 (or bigger if you can afford it. the 44 is only 250w which is low. 500w softbox is better), and two Pro lights (one 120w and the other 250) with barn doors and gel frames is a start. THese are all tungsten indoor lights of the same color temp. Don't mix in LED. They are different color temp. Get a couple dimmers for the Lowel lights at Harbor Freight (they are router controls). Add a case of some kind for the fixtures and some black 3-prong extension cords. You'll need 3 light stands. Air softened are preferable. 8-10 footers (aluminum not steel) should do nicely.

Search here on DVinfo using the terms "lighting kit" an you will find many many threads asking the same things you ask.

Here's an article on lighting kit philosophy I subscribe to: Light Kit (http://www.bluesky-web.com/light-kit.htm)

Some great tutorials on lighting are here (especially the on on Chiaroscuro and the Depth of Field myth): Walter Graff - Instruction (http://www.bluesky-web.com/index-5.html)

...I can't afford to start off with 3 lights....

I suggest starting with a softbox, a dimmer, two stands and a reflector. Mount the reflector on a stand. Add a Pro hair light when you can later. A Rifa 55 will do a lot for you and last. Use the reflector as a fill light.

Lowel Omni lights may be inexpensive on eBay and give you a start as well but untreated give you "hard" light. I have 4 of them. You can add a softbox to them later with something called a speed ring but bottom line is softboxes are not cheap. They are however, the mark of great interview lighting.

The Lowel Tota is an open face fixture that can also be turned into a softbox with a speed ring. Again, not cheap. You end up getting close in price to the Rifa but lack the portability.

All of these hold their value and could be flipped to get some of your money back.

I can't afford to start off with 3 lights.


If that's the case, then I'd certainly echo Bill's suggestion of the 18" Diva Ring Light, I use one as both key and fill, with a Chinese 700 LED panel for a bit of a back/side light, and for a cheap and simple combo, it really works a charm.

Being cool-running lights, they also don't get your interviewees working up a sweat.

I don't want to seem like "that guy" who asks for help and then says that's not good enough.

I'm with the other 2 people who don't like the look of the ring light.

Does anyone from the list have reliable used gear they would like to sell to a noob just getting into the business. I'm in the US, so not sure it would be economical to ship from overseas.

Thanks to all...

Bob, you have told us what lights you think you can NOT afford, but have you ever said what your overall budget is? It would be easier for other people to make suggestions if we knew what you are able to spend on the entire kit.

Hi Doug,

I"m afraid it may be an impossibility.

I tried to budget $500-600 for an initial light (not sure about a kit, but a light, stand and whatever accessories might go with that.

It's a bad position, because I need something, but I feel that I'm throwing my money away getting the EBAY crap and I can't afford the decent to good lights.

Everyone has been so nice, thanks very much, you all are appreciated.

Bob

Have you considered renting a kit until you can get some more experience (and budget)? If you need to rent more than 5 or 6 times, then buying is probably the way to go. Knowing what gear will work for you will allow you to maximize your budget when the time comes to make the purchase. Barring that, is there a shooter near you who has lighting gear that you can hire as an assist? Not only do you get the benefit of gear, but someone to help setup/breakdown the lights.

Hi Oren,

I have not thought about renting, here's why.

I know next to nothing about lighting and as a hobbyist, my money is extremely on the short end. My luck is that I rent the items and God forbid break something and more worries.

If I rent something, even at $50 or $100, then in my eyes (maybe the wrong way of thinking) I lost $50 or $100 because for sure 100% I want to buy a light kit.

There is no money for me to be made, it's just something out of the love of talking to people.

Overall there are a few things I'm short, and it's just a matter or prioritizing the list based on the money which I have available.

Need lights, an external monitor, rain cover ( I couldn't find one specifically for my very small camera (I'm envious of all you guys that have nice larger rigs that get the chicks LOL) this brand is for SLR and DSLR's, but I wonder if it might work on the camera I have a Sony 760v (please don't laugh, I enjoy it)
Vortex Media: VIDEO & PHOTO Tools and Training (http://www.vortexmedia.com/SJ1.html) <----- is the site for storm jackets what do you all think?


Thanks again.

I would normally have a ton of questions for you to answer in order to provide decent advice - things like locations, and considerations therein - ala an office with big windows, etc. Who's this for, where will it be shown etc. BUT -

Inexpensive sounds like your main goal.

I would suggest buying something like a used Mole 2K zip light (soft), (with egg crate they go for about $350 on Ebay) a big sheet or two of foam core (for opposing bounce from the zip)
a couple of C-stands (you need to support this stuff) and possibly one Mini Mole for a back light.
This will cost about $700 if you can deal with Ebay and the waiting and lost purchase opportunities.

And because you bought this stuff used, guess what, it will be worth about the same if you go to sell it AND it will work with your next camera too :-)

Have done a ton of interviews with a Lowell Rifa 500 watt softbox and a 150watt Prolight (small spotlight) for a backlight/hairlight. If you put the Rifa about 90 degrees to the direction the subject is facing and pull it forward so that the back side of the light is about even with back of the subject's head (leaving the front side forward somewhat, for wrap-around key light) you have a pretty nice setup.

I first saw a 60 Minutes crew using this setup many moons ago, it was good enough for CBS, was good enough for me. (Now they use elaborate metal-halide setups, last time I saw them, but that's another story) You could even sub a translucent umbrella and a cheap movie light, if you had to, for the softbox, but the effect is not as good. More elaborate is two softboxes, one above and front, one above and behind on a boom. If you have two facing subjects, this setup x 2.

Hi,

So this is a Rifa 500 Softbox
Lowel LC55EX Rifa-Lite eX 500 Watt Softbox Light LC-55 EX B&H

Does it come with something to sit on, or is that extra, what about recommendations on extra bulbs. It appears they are $60 a piece.

Also, I'm guessing by "Compact folded size (17") allows it to fit into many of Lowel's smallest location light kits." that I need to buy something to transport it in.

Under accessories there were Light controls "egg crates" for $150 to $300, not sure what their purpose is in relation to me.

Maybe I need to try to get some kind of a kit for noobs like me which has everything in it.
Any recommendations on where you would get that at

42nd, Adorama, BN, Porters, etc.


Once again thanks for all of your help, I'm trying to read books and magazines as well as forums to get information, but it's hard when you are going to spend what little money you have on something, you want to make sure it's right.

Appreciate it.

A Mole 2K zip light just went for under $200 on Ebay. Mini moles galore there too. :-)

Soft lights send their dispersed light all over the place (there goes that black void look).
That's their nature.
The egg-crate is basically a way to keep the light soft, but much more directional and focused.

HTH,

J.

Once again thanks for all of your help, I'm trying to read books and magazines as well as forums to get information, but it's hard when you are going to spend what little money you have on something, you want to make sure it's right.

Bob, I guess if you don't even have a budget to purchase lights then attending a workshop is out of the question, but I sure wish you could make it to my one-week interview lighting course next month at Maine Media Workshops. I think you'd be quite surprised at what you would learn, and how that training can be turned around into income-producing work. It'd be cool to see you there and watch as you learn the ropes. :-)

The Art of Lighting and Shooting Interviews | Cinematography Workshops | Maine Media (http://www.mainemedia.edu/workshops/filmmaking/art-lighting-and-shooting-interviews)

There is a ton of stuff about how to set up interview lighting. Here is one article about using a single light. What to me may be missing, would be the added back light, but even that is not necessary.

Check this out:

ProVideo Coalition.com: Stunning Good Looks by Art Adams (http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/aadams/story/lighting_strategies_exploiting_a_single_light_source/)