Various lighting questions & answers from 2004

[Rusty Williams]

A while back, I posted a thread called "Sinister Light," in which I asked for - and got - help on a lighting issue for a short.

The piece is complete and on the way to potential distributors, but I thought I'd post a link to the trailer, so anyone interested could take a look at the end result.

http://www.rustywilliamsvideo.com/onlinetrailer.wmv

WARNING: The language in the video is VERY harsh!

Thanks again for all the help!

-Rusty-

[Ryan Gohlinghorst]

I like the way it turned out. Good luck with distribution!

[Jaser Stockert]

was wondering if anyone has any experience w/ the lowel fren'L 650? thanks!

[Rob Wilson]

Yep, I've got a three light kit. Work great, very good quality light. Only draw back is when you put three of them with stands, cords, extensions, dimmers, gels and frames in a box, it takes two people to move it! Not really but they are fairly large instruments to be moving around a lot. I would not recommend for run/gun type stuff but would be a great selection for a shoot where you'll be there for a while

[Michel Brewer]

Im not completely sure about oncam from the ab powetap but do know you could get the ab belt you can slide a hytron into and power from, I power my pros in the field with a 30/13 belt and the adapter and the dc bulb...of course i have never tried off the powertap but if theres a way im sure there is a adapter.

you might call bh a board sponser if there is a adapter they would know...

[Josh Brusin]

Can you use <500W bulbs in a DP fixture? I'd like to have a 250W option as I fear 500w may be too hot most of the time... should I stick to PROs and VIPs? or get into DPs and TOTAs?

[Bryan Beasleigh]

http://www.lowel.com/dp/dp_b.html#info

Lowel publishes all the info at the link below. The DP is 500 -750-1000 watt. Bill Pryor swears by the DP and he's been in fil and video for years. Rumour has it that he started with a flat rock and a chisel (a loooooong time ago)

What lights you get should be influenced by your subject matter. Do you want hard or soft light, for large or small areas, etc?

I use soft lights with low wattage focused accents.

The DP or Tota work well in softboxes. The omni would be fine in a small box

www.photoflex.com
www.chimera.com

The tota by itself is hard to control and will give you broad and ven coverage. The DP can be more easily controlled. The Omni can be lamped at 300 to 500 watts and can be focused but not as well as a fresnel

For lower wattage accents (hair,back light etc) use a lowel prolight or something like the Arri 300 watt fresnel.

It depends on what you will be lighting. For a one or two person interview a 750watt tota in a softbox with a reflector for fill and a 300 watt fresnel or 250 watt pro as a kicker or back light.

I'd love to buy more lights but people balk when it starts to look like center ring under the big top.

I figure 2 medium, one small softbox and two accents would be smurfy.

You don't have to go nuts.
Start with one key light and use an umbrella to soften. Fill with a collapseable reflector.
You can then go on to buy more.

There are several schools of thought. Mine is buy quality and buy as you can afford them. Some buy less durable stuff and claim to be content. To each their own ;--))

[Eric Stemen]

I belive this is the one i have, works good for me. Even worked ok for some cheap small chip panasonic had till it broke.
http://www.adorama.com/BOKLK50XT.html

It's a pain to carry around though.

[Josh Brusin]

the big old yellow ones... talked to Lowel and was told that the only difference between them and the DPs was the yellow and that they're corded. They also said that for $75 they'd convert them to removable cords... anyone know of any limitations to them? 500w minimum?

[Gustavo Godinho]

What is the basic light kit for weddings considering that an assistant will do the job?

Instead of buying, can I build one, with cables, reflectors, batteries, etc? Any information about homebuilt light kits?

By the way, do you know any GOOD resource that talks about how to start a wedding video company and techniques also?

Hail DVINFO!

[Mike Rehmus]

I"ve never shot a wedding where a light kit would have done any good. They don't want equipment in the auditorium and they normally don't want a lot of light in a reception. At least in the U.S.

I use a softbox with an on-camera light if I can. Frequently the bride wants no extra light at all.

That's when I kiss the PD150.

[Allen Minor]

The difference in price for the 420 is only $20; however, the lamp in the 300 is more than 30% more expensive than the 420. Does this mean that the 300 gives a better quality light than the 420? or is it just one of those things that means nothing? Does anyone have experience with these two fresnels? Thanks in advance.

[Patrick Gault]

I've used the 420. Its a nice fresnel. I believe you can lamp this light with a 420 or a 200 watt globe.
So you have two fresnels in one.

In terms of light quality, once you pass the light through the pyrex glass, its going to be the same quality...hard. But much easier to cut than an open face.

Just be careful. Peppers generate a lot of heat.

[David Walding]

I just bought one from BHPHOTO I know it's a little late now but I only found one sort of review on the net and here on this forum here.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6155&highlight=cool+lux

Just curious to see any other user experiances with the lighting cast and distances. Also the comment on that link says the battery pack is not that good wondering if it could be used with a better pack?

[Andrew Kiu]

Have anyone used or try this lighting system:-

http://www.unomat.de/org/english/vineleu/seite5.htm
http://www.unomat.de/org/english/vineleu/inhalt.htm

Please give me suggestion coz i planning getting one...

My setup: Xl1-s MA200