Photoflex Starlite QL & Silverdome

Sam Renkin · March 22nd, 2010, 02:24 PM

I finally took the plunge and ordered a basic lighting kit for 1-2 person interviews and some green screen work: two Photoflex Starlite & Medium Silverdome softboxes (with egg crates and 1000, 500 and CFL bulb choices), a single Lowel Pro light with barn doors, stands, some grip hardware, a 5-way reflector and a wheeled case. I'd welcome advise, tips and/or tricks from anyone using these lights on a regular basis?

I'm a producer/videographer shooting HDV. Over the years, I've worked with Chimera softboxes mounted on Arri lights and Lowel Rifa lights as well. The Photoflex gear seems well-built and the price is right. I'm hoping to get many years of use from this. Thanks!

Sam

Guy Cochran · March 22nd, 2010, 04:27 PM

Lowel has some great tips at Lowel EDU - a Lighting Resource Center
Photoflex has their webschool (more geared towards traditional photography)
There are also a couple of DVD's, one is on our DVcreators site. We also used to recommend Ross Lowell's book, but it went out of print and the price jumped 2-10x's!

Amazon.com: Matters of Light & Depth (9780966250404): Ross Lowell, Various: Books

Sam Renkin · March 26th, 2010, 10:36 AM

My lights arrived on Wednesday, I spent a few hours setting everything up and learning assembly etc. So far so good but I have a question; is it harmful to leave the front baffle (white) in place when you fold and store the softbox? Do you remove and fold it separately?

Thanks!

Robin Lambert · March 27th, 2010, 07:39 AM

I do exactly what you do and leave the baffle on, have done so for the past few years, week in, week out with no ill effects. The only change I've noticed is that the ribs have a permanent bend in them now but it doesn't affect the performance, makes it easier in fact.

March 22nd, 2010, 02:24 PM	#1
Sam Renkin Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 211	Photoflex Starlite QL & Silverdome - tips wanted! I finally took the plunge and ordered a basic lighting kit for 1-2 person interviews and some green screen work: two Photoflex Starlite & Medium Silverdome softboxes (with egg crates and 1000, 500 and CFL bulb choices), a single Lowel Pro light with barn doors, stands, some grip hardware, a 5-way reflector and a wheeled case. I'd welcome advise, tips and/or tricks from anyone using these lights on a regular basis? I'm a producer/videographer shooting HDV. Over the years, I've worked with Chimera softboxes mounted on Arri lights and Lowel Rifa lights as well. The Photoflex gear seems well-built and the price is right. I'm hoping to get many years of use from this. Thanks! Sam

March 22nd, 2010, 04:27 PM	#2
Guy Cochran DVCreators.Net Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 892	Lowel has some great tips at Lowel EDU - a Lighting Resource Center Photoflex has their webschool (more geared towards traditional photography) There are also a couple of DVD's, one is on our DVcreators site. We also used to recommend Ross Lowell's book, but it went out of print and the price jumped 2-10x's! Amazon.com: Matters of Light & Depth (9780966250404): Ross Lowell, Various: Books Amazon.com: Matters of Light & Depth (9780966250404): Ross Lowell, Various: Books __________________ Guy Cochran DVinfo Sponsor, Cool Gear - DVeStore!

March 26th, 2010, 10:36 AM	#3
Sam Renkin Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 211	My lights arrived on Wednesday, I spent a few hours setting everything up and learning assembly etc. So far so good but I have a question; is it harmful to leave the front baffle (white) in place when you fold and store the softbox? Do you remove and fold it separately? Thanks!

March 27th, 2010, 07:39 AM	#4
Robin Lambert Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: London Posts: 70	I do exactly what you do and leave the baffle on, have done so for the past few years, week in, week out with no ill effects. The only change I've noticed is that the ribs have a permanent bend in them now but it doesn't affect the performance, makes it easier in fact.