Cheap Lighting kit for documentary interviews?

Matt DeBruycker · February 4th, 2009, 12:13 AM

How much of a difference is there between the Rifa-Lite EX55 (with its 500 watts) and EX44 (with its 200 watts), in just overall performance and uses?

Perrone Ford · February 4th, 2009, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt DeBruycker

How much of a difference is there between the Rifa-Lite EX55 (with its 500 watts) and EX44 (with its 200 watts), in just overall performance and uses?

The small light cannot accomodate the 3-lamp fluorescent fixture, which makes it a no go in my view.

Matt DeBruycker · February 4th, 2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perrone Ford

The small light cannot accomodate the 3-lamp fluorescent fixture, which makes it a no go in my view.

Are you sure? Because on the B&H website it states the fixture is for all rifa-ex. Thanks for your time.

Perrone Ford · February 4th, 2009, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt DeBruycker

Are you sure? Because on the B&H website it states the fixture is for all rifa-ex. Thanks for your time.

You are correct and I am wrong:

Lowel Rifa eXchange Accessory Lampheads

It seems I was mistaking this with the other tungsten lamphead. Good catch and sorry for the confusion.

Matt DeBruycker · February 4th, 2009, 01:06 PM

Any other thoughts about the differences, now that we determined that they can both use the fluorescent exchange. I'm fairly new to lighting, I'm just not that sure whether or not the ex55 is worth the extra money for the 500 watts over the 200 that the ex44 provides.

Shaun Roemich · February 4th, 2009, 01:08 PM

Matt, in addition to more wattage, you also get a larger surface area which can help with coverage. I bought the 55 more for the size than for the wattage.

Perrone Ford · February 4th, 2009, 02:55 PM

And I bought the 88 for much the same reason. I didn't want to get caught not being able to light 2 people seated next to each other. The smaller units are just a bit too small for this I felt.

Note that the small Chimera is the size of the largest Rifa.

Shaun Roemich · February 4th, 2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perrone Ford

I didn't want to get caught not being able to light 2 people seated next to each other.

The people I videotape don't have friends, and therefore this is not an issue for me... <sly grin>

Had I the disposable income when I bought my 55, I may have also bought an 88 at the same time. It's nice to have the compact packaging for transport but you just can't beat a large softbox when you need more coverage.

Christopher Warwick · February 22nd, 2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perrone Ford

Buy this:
Lowel | Rifa-Lite EX55 Softbox Light Kit, LB40 Soft | LC-95LBZ

I'm thinking of buying this kit also.

Sorry to be a pain in the bum, but could anyone tell me the difference between the item linked above and this from their main site: Lowel Rifa eX 55 Kit

Any difference aside from the $320 difference that is.

Chris

Perrone Ford · February 23rd, 2009, 12:33 AM

Looks like one comes with a hard case, and the other a softbag. In MY opinion. with a softbox (basically fabric) you'll want the hard case. If the fabric comes in contact with anything sharp, you really don't want that to penetrate to your softbox. The hard case just solves problems like this before they start, even though they weigh more.

Christopher Warwick · March 2nd, 2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perrone Ford

Looks like one comes with a hard case, and the other a softbag. In MY opinion. with a softbox (basically fabric) you'll want the hard case. If the fabric comes in contact with anything sharp, you really don't want that to penetrate to your softbox. The hard case just solves problems like this before they start, even though they weigh more.

Surely I could make something to protect the softbox... Even if I purchased a bit of plywood to make the softbag a hard case? $320 is rather a lot for that difference alone in my opinion!

Chris

Peter Dunphy · April 30th, 2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perrone Ford

I bought some 2-way adapters today from Home Depot. They turn one receptacle into two. Because of the weird angles in that setup, you can't use all the receptacles. But I think I can fit 6 100w equivalent bulbs in my RIFA now. So I should have the equivalent of 600w of power, with nearly no heat given off.

Hi,

I'm having trouble locating these 2-way adaptors - could anyone provide a link please so I can see what they look like, and hopefully locate an equivalent adaptor in the UK?

peter

Jack Walker · May 9th, 2009, 11:07 AM

The Rifa lites come with a heavy bag that hold everything, so a case necessary. The case holds accessories, light stand, etc.

I like the Lowel soft cases since they are lightweight and excellent quality.

The hard cases are good if you good if you are on the go in a rough fashion, want the rigidy, and maybe have some more delicate pieces, such as a pro light--but the pro light travels well in the soft case as well.. The soft cases have a zipper and the hard cases clasps.

If you are not familiar with the Lowel "lampacks," I highly recommend them. to carry the lamps (bulbs). (Use a heavy rubber band to make sure they stay closed.

The 44 is smaller so the light is not as soft. The 44 works well when less light is needed and in smaller spaces.

The standard 44 can also take lamp that runs off a battery. Some people use the 44 with a battery to carry around and follow the talent. With the eX system, the 44 socket unit can be put on any of the rifa lights, so if you had an odd situation where you wanted to use a battery operated Rifa 55, you could. (If you use a battery light, you not only have to change the lamp/bulb, but you also need an adapter for the cord.

Even though expensive, the accessory virtually everyone needs (and wants if they don't have) is a grid.

Simon Denny · May 9th, 2009, 05:31 PM

I use the Rifa 55 and take it everywhere. The only thing is make sure you take your globes out for transportation. I made this mistakea few times being in a hurry. Once the globes cooled down I left the globe in the frame and got to the next shoot only to find a busted globe and here in Sydney they are $40 or so.

The Rifa 55 is great for small setup interviews but watch for mixed lighting such as a bright window throwing light on the talent as this will screw up the colour balance.
I always learn the hardway.

Jonathan Morrow · July 13th, 2009, 04:13 PM

I've got a copy of the "How to light great interviews..." and it's a pretty straightforward set of instructions on how to light great interviews (especially if you enjoy the Hallmark channel or like watching images bathed in treacle brown candyfloss). My problem is that I live in UK (that's not the problem) so I can't buy the Lowel gear very easily. Does anyone know if there is a European equivalent set of gear for the pro and rifa etc - I am sure there is. Cheers, Jon

February 4th, 2009, 01:08 PM	#36
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Matt, in addition to more wattage, you also get a larger surface area which can help with coverage. I bought the 55 more for the size than for the wattage. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

February 4th, 2009, 02:55 PM	#37
Perrone Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 4,100	And I bought the 88 for much the same reason. I didn't want to get caught not being able to light 2 people seated next to each other. The smaller units are just a bit too small for this I felt. Note that the small Chimera is the size of the largest Rifa. __________________ DVX100, PMW-EX1, Canon 550D, FigRig, Dell Octocore, Avid MC4/5, MB Looks, RedCineX, Matrox MX02 mini, GTech RAID, Edirol R-4, Senn. G2 Evo, Countryman, Moles and Lowels.

February 23rd, 2009, 12:33 AM	#40
Perrone Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 4,100	Looks like one comes with a hard case, and the other a softbag. In MY opinion. with a softbox (basically fabric) you'll want the hard case. If the fabric comes in contact with anything sharp, you really don't want that to penetrate to your softbox. The hard case just solves problems like this before they start, even though they weigh more. __________________ DVX100, PMW-EX1, Canon 550D, FigRig, Dell Octocore, Avid MC4/5, MB Looks, RedCineX, Matrox MX02 mini, GTech RAID, Edirol R-4, Senn. G2 Evo, Countryman, Moles and Lowels.

February 4th, 2009, 12:13 AM	#31
Matt DeBruycker New Boot Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 20	How much of a difference is there between the Rifa-Lite EX55 (with its 500 watts) and EX44 (with its 200 watts), in just overall performance and uses?

February 4th, 2009, 01:06 PM	#35
Matt DeBruycker New Boot Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 20	Any other thoughts about the differences, now that we determined that they can both use the fluorescent exchange. I'm fairly new to lighting, I'm just not that sure whether or not the ex55 is worth the extra money for the 500 watts over the 200 that the ex44 provides.

May 9th, 2009, 11:07 AM	#43
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	The Rifa lites come with a heavy bag that hold everything, so a case necessary. The case holds accessories, light stand, etc. I like the Lowel soft cases since they are lightweight and excellent quality. The hard cases are good if you good if you are on the go in a rough fashion, want the rigidy, and maybe have some more delicate pieces, such as a pro light--but the pro light travels well in the soft case as well.. The soft cases have a zipper and the hard cases clasps. If you are not familiar with the Lowel "lampacks," I highly recommend them. to carry the lamps (bulbs). (Use a heavy rubber band to make sure they stay closed. The 44 is smaller so the light is not as soft. The 44 works well when less light is needed and in smaller spaces. The standard 44 can also take lamp that runs off a battery. Some people use the 44 with a battery to carry around and follow the talent. With the eX system, the 44 socket unit can be put on any of the rifa lights, so if you had an odd situation where you wanted to use a battery operated Rifa 55, you could. (If you use a battery light, you not only have to change the lamp/bulb, but you also need an adapter for the cord. Even though expensive, the accessory virtually everyone needs (and wants if they don't have) is a grid.

May 9th, 2009, 05:31 PM	#44
Simon Denny Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,409	I use the Rifa 55 and take it everywhere. The only thing is make sure you take your globes out for transportation. I made this mistakea few times being in a hurry. Once the globes cooled down I left the globe in the frame and got to the next shoot only to find a busted globe and here in Sydney they are $40 or so. The Rifa 55 is great for small setup interviews but watch for mixed lighting such as a bright window throwing light on the talent as this will screw up the colour balance. I always learn the hardway.

July 13th, 2009, 04:13 PM	#45
Jonathan Morrow Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Liverpool, UK Posts: 46	I've got a copy of the "How to light great interviews..." and it's a pretty straightforward set of instructions on how to light great interviews (especially if you enjoy the Hallmark channel or like watching images bathed in treacle brown candyfloss). My problem is that I live in UK (that's not the problem) so I can't buy the Lowel gear very easily. Does anyone know if there is a European equivalent set of gear for the pro and rifa etc - I am sure there is. Cheers, Jon