Suggestions for putting together a "Cool Lights" rig at DVinfo.net

Kit Hannah · January 25th, 2008, 03:43 AM

Hey all,
I'm looking to put together a complete Cool Lights setup and wanted to see what everyone thought. I've never used the Cool Lights but I am impressed with the overall look of them. I'm not looking to break the bank here, but I'm not trying to go too cheap either.

Budget = +/- $2k?

Most are location shoots, which means that it would be nice if they were fairly portable.

Here's what I'm doing and what I would be using them for.

Small docu-films, mainly inside during the day

Commercials, generally confined spaces (inside offices, houses, etc.), but sometimes a bit bigger of spaces, it varies

Blue/Green Screen and lit screen work

Interviews

I guess possibly some night stuff if it ever came up, but we're usually ok on things, it's just mainly for indoor during the day.

We're using HPX500 cameras, I'm sure it doesn't make a huge difference what camera we're using, but just saying the control is there... (I just don't want anybody to say I left anything out).

We're looking for an all-around package. Maybe 5-6 lights, the CL255, 455 and 655's all look nice. They don't need to be the dimmable versions, just the mobile versions. It would also be cool to have a few of the video softbox fixtures for different things (with soft boxes of course). Many of our clients don't really know the difference, but as you know, presentation is everything, so we obviously want something that looks pretty cool.

So I guess my question to many of you: is this the way to go? We would like a solution that will work for a variety of things.

Also, do we go 3200k or 5600k? Will it matter all that much with a W/B? Which is going to be the most versitile? Or do we get both fro different applications?

BTW, we already have 5 Stands, so unless we are getting more fixtures than that, I will only need hardware to attach it to standard lighting stands.

Anyones help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Kit

Paul Cascio · January 25th, 2008, 07:01 AM

Here's a link to my setup.

http://pictureframingschool.com/letus.htm

No hairlight yet. I'll use a small hot light for that.

There's a Coollights 255 (2-tube) sitting on the floor to light the green screen. Does an awesome job.

The softbox on the right was from Richard. The one on the left I crafted from an existing SB that I had.

I highly recommend Coollights. Great company and excellent service too.

Kit Hannah · January 25th, 2008, 10:22 AM

Very Cool, Paul. Thanks

Can you post a list of fixtures that you have?

Thanks
Kit

Paul Cascio · January 25th, 2008, 01:25 PM

The light sitting on the floor, and providing near perfect illumination of the green screen is a CL-255 with daylight bulbs.

The two standing lights are CL-SFT1 fixtures with optional Coollight softbox (right in pic). The C-stands were bought elsewhere but Richard has some nice stands available.

Bill Pryor · January 25th, 2008, 02:36 PM

You can get both 5600 and 3200K fluorescents. I'd go with 3 of the 2-bulb units, and a couple of the 4-bulb units, and then one of the small HMIs.

Richard Andrewski · January 25th, 2008, 10:47 PM

CL-255 or CL-255P will put out about the same amount of light. After that its a matter of whether you're talking it on the road with you or just using it in a studio.

January 25th, 2008, 03:43 AM	#1
Kit Hannah Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fresno, California Posts: 528	Suggestions for putting together a "Cool Lights" rig Hey all, I'm looking to put together a complete Cool Lights setup and wanted to see what everyone thought. I've never used the Cool Lights but I am impressed with the overall look of them. I'm not looking to break the bank here, but I'm not trying to go too cheap either. Budget = +/- $2k? Most are location shoots, which means that it would be nice if they were fairly portable. Here's what I'm doing and what I would be using them for. Small docu-films, mainly inside during the day Commercials, generally confined spaces (inside offices, houses, etc.), but sometimes a bit bigger of spaces, it varies Blue/Green Screen and lit screen work Interviews I guess possibly some night stuff if it ever came up, but we're usually ok on things, it's just mainly for indoor during the day. We're using HPX500 cameras, I'm sure it doesn't make a huge difference what camera we're using, but just saying the control is there... (I just don't want anybody to say I left anything out). We're looking for an all-around package. Maybe 5-6 lights, the CL255, 455 and 655's all look nice. They don't need to be the dimmable versions, just the mobile versions. It would also be cool to have a few of the video softbox fixtures for different things (with soft boxes of course). Many of our clients don't really know the difference, but as you know, presentation is everything, so we obviously want something that looks pretty cool. So I guess my question to many of you: is this the way to go? We would like a solution that will work for a variety of things. Also, do we go 3200k or 5600k? Will it matter all that much with a W/B? Which is going to be the most versitile? Or do we get both fro different applications? BTW, we already have 5 Stands, so unless we are getting more fixtures than that, I will only need hardware to attach it to standard lighting stands. Anyones help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Kit

January 25th, 2008, 07:01 AM	#2
Paul Cascio Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bristol, CT (Home of EPSN) Posts: 1,192	Here's a link to my setup. http://pictureframingschool.com/letus.htm No hairlight yet. I'll use a small hot light for that. There's a Coollights 255 (2-tube) sitting on the floor to light the green screen. Does an awesome job. The softbox on the right was from Richard. The one on the left I crafted from an existing SB that I had. I highly recommend Coollights. Great company and excellent service too. __________________ Paul Cascio www.pictureframingschool.com

January 25th, 2008, 01:25 PM	#4
Paul Cascio Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bristol, CT (Home of EPSN) Posts: 1,192	The light sitting on the floor, and providing near perfect illumination of the green screen is a CL-255 with daylight bulbs. The two standing lights are CL-SFT1 fixtures with optional Coollight softbox (right in pic). The C-stands were bought elsewhere but Richard has some nice stands available. __________________ Paul Cascio www.pictureframingschool.com

January 25th, 2008, 10:47 PM	#6
Richard Andrewski Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Shenzhen, China Posts: 781	CL-255 or CL-255P will put out about the same amount of light. After that its a matter of whether you're talking it on the road with you or just using it in a studio. __________________ Richard Andrewski - Cool Lights USA - RED #114 http://www.coollights.biz

January 25th, 2008, 10:22 AM	#3
Kit Hannah Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fresno, California Posts: 528	Very Cool, Paul. Thanks Can you post a list of fixtures that you have? Thanks Kit

January 25th, 2008, 02:36 PM	#5
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	You can get both 5600 and 3200K fluorescents. I'd go with 3 of the 2-bulb units, and a couple of the 4-bulb units, and then one of the small HMIs.