am I missing something with these Kino Flo's? at DVinfo.net

Philip Fass · February 27th, 2010, 09:00 AM

I'm comparing these two fluo options, a Barfly 100 "system" and "kit."

System: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/489384-REG/Kino_Flo_SYS_B100_G120_Barfly_100_System.html
Kit: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/509766-REG/Kino_Flo_KIT_B100_G120_Barfly_100_One_Fluorescent.html
Maybe I'm missing something, but it looks like the kit gives you a cloth bag for the gels, carrying cases for the lamps and the overall system, and a different angle of louver for (based on system's add-to-cart price) about $300.

Are the extra items really worth that much?

David W. Jones · February 27th, 2010, 05:13 PM

The Barfly is a nice fill light in a tight spot, but in my opinion they are overpriced for the output they provide.

All the Best!

Steve Kalle · February 28th, 2010, 03:15 PM

I just got the Barfly 200 2 light kit with hard case and love it. Unless you need the smaller size of the 100, I would get the 200 or the Diva 200.

The extra cost gives you the case ($190), 60 degree louver ($70) and louver storage bag ($55).

I used my 200 kit a few weeks ago that had cameras from chicago media (ABC, Fox I think), and they both asked me about the Barflys, noting how powerful they were for such a small size.

PS After initial use and stored in my case, there is a bad fish smell when opening the case. Don't know if this is common with flouros.

Philip Fass · February 28th, 2010, 03:47 PM

Steve,

Thank you! Very useful reply.

Is the case designed to hold additional equipment? I was wondering if the 2 BFs could be put in a somewhat smaller Pelican hard case I already have.

Steve Kalle · March 1st, 2010, 12:55 AM

This is the kit I have: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/489404-REG/Kino_Flo_KIT_B22_G120_Barfly_200_Two_Light.html
I don't know if your are referring to the hard case in my kit or the soft case. The hard case is great and does have extra room for more gear. In my hard case, I have a case with 6 extra flouro tubes, rolls of gaffer and black duct tape, 2 power strips/surge protectors, 2 25' extension cords, 1 MTP-BFE BarFly 200/100 Edge Mount and room for a few more small items.

The smaller soft case can only hold 1 barfly light.

Remember that the light consists of the light fixture, ballast and mount, which all take up considerable room. And if you travel with the lights, you need extra flouro lamps.

I had originally bought the Barfly 200 kit for someone I work with for his quick interview kit, and small size was very important. However, if size is not so crucial, the Diva 200 costs less and gives you more. The Diva 200 also outputs about 20% more light according to Kino Flo's Photometrics. And you can control the Diva's light spread better without having to use louvers which decrease light output.

Philip Fass · March 5th, 2010, 05:41 AM

Steve,

Small size is important, actually, as I'll be shooting in a lot of small apartments that get crowded with equipment very quickly. Also, I do everything myself, and as I'm approaching 60 ancient y.o., the lugging of equipment from car to location is becoming one of my biggest challenges.

May I ask: the person you bought the 2-light 200 kit for...what other lighting did they use for the interviews, if any? I'm thinking my 4-tube Mole Biax and the pair of 200s would be all I need for traditional 3-point interview lighting.

Steve Kalle · March 6th, 2010, 01:08 AM

I assume you will still need to use light stands; therefore, the size difference between the Barfly 200 and Diva 200 shouldn't matter.

Also, the large case (for Barfly 200) I have with everything in it is a bit heavy.

The interviews by my associate are just quick and simple for web press releases (for a large city).

February 27th, 2010, 09:00 AM	#1
Philip Fass Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Charlotte, VT Posts: 397	am I missing something with these Kino Flo's? I'm comparing these two fluo options, a Barfly 100 "system" and "kit." System: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/489384-REG/Kino_Flo_SYS_B100_G120_Barfly_100_System.html Kit: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/509766-REG/Kino_Flo_KIT_B100_G120_Barfly_100_One_Fluorescent.html Maybe I'm missing something, but it looks like the kit gives you a cloth bag for the gels, carrying cases for the lamps and the overall system, and a different angle of louver for (based on system's add-to-cart price) about $300. Are the extra items really worth that much?

February 27th, 2010, 05:13 PM	#2
David W. Jones Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Little Rock Posts: 1,383	The Barfly is a nice fill light in a tight spot, but in my opinion they are overpriced for the output they provide. All the Best! __________________ David W. Jones www.joneshdfilms.com

February 28th, 2010, 03:15 PM	#3
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	I just got the Barfly 200 2 light kit with hard case and love it. Unless you need the smaller size of the 100, I would get the 200 or the Diva 200. The extra cost gives you the case ($190), 60 degree louver ($70) and louver storage bag ($55). I used my 200 kit a few weeks ago that had cameras from chicago media (ABC, Fox I think), and they both asked me about the Barflys, noting how powerful they were for such a small size. PS After initial use and stored in my case, there is a bad fish smell when opening the case. Don't know if this is common with flouros.

February 28th, 2010, 03:47 PM	#4
Philip Fass Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Charlotte, VT Posts: 397	Steve, Thank you! Very useful reply. Is the case designed to hold additional equipment? I was wondering if the 2 BFs could be put in a somewhat smaller Pelican hard case I already have.

March 1st, 2010, 12:55 AM	#5
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	This is the kit I have: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/489404-REG/Kino_Flo_KIT_B22_G120_Barfly_200_Two_Light.html I don't know if your are referring to the hard case in my kit or the soft case. The hard case is great and does have extra room for more gear. In my hard case, I have a case with 6 extra flouro tubes, rolls of gaffer and black duct tape, 2 power strips/surge protectors, 2 25' extension cords, 1 MTP-BFE BarFly 200/100 Edge Mount and room for a few more small items. The smaller soft case can only hold 1 barfly light. Remember that the light consists of the light fixture, ballast and mount, which all take up considerable room. And if you travel with the lights, you need extra flouro lamps. I had originally bought the Barfly 200 kit for someone I work with for his quick interview kit, and small size was very important. However, if size is not so crucial, the Diva 200 costs less and gives you more. The Diva 200 also outputs about 20% more light according to Kino Flo's Photometrics. And you can control the Diva's light spread better without having to use louvers which decrease light output.

March 5th, 2010, 05:41 AM	#6
Philip Fass Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Charlotte, VT Posts: 397	Steve, Small size is important, actually, as I'll be shooting in a lot of small apartments that get crowded with equipment very quickly. Also, I do everything myself, and as I'm approaching 60 ancient y.o., the lugging of equipment from car to location is becoming one of my biggest challenges. May I ask: the person you bought the 2-light 200 kit for...what other lighting did they use for the interviews, if any? I'm thinking my 4-tube Mole Biax and the pair of 200s would be all I need for traditional 3-point interview lighting.

March 6th, 2010, 01:08 AM	#7
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	I assume you will still need to use light stands; therefore, the size difference between the Barfly 200 and Diva 200 shouldn't matter. Also, the large case (for Barfly 200) I have with everything in it is a bit heavy. The interviews by my associate are just quick and simple for web press releases (for a large city).