Best starter 3 light kit for EA50UH at DVinfo.net

Rod Chesnut · July 16th, 2014, 10:10 AM

What light kit should I consider for the NEX-EA50UH ? Last time, with my first DV cams, I bought a DeSisti Magis Fresnel and Wyeth Soft 3-Light Kit.

First question: Tungsten or LED?

This time I'm considering:
A. 4 x 800W RED HEAD Continuous Light with Dimmer Studio Video Lighting KIT
(cheap $400US chinese kit w 3200W dimmers)

B. 3pcs 500 LED Video Light Panel Dimmable Barndoor
With Caster Stands & Boom Set ($490)

Second question: Has anybody mixed tungsten and LED balancing all lights to 5600?

Chris Harding · July 16th, 2014, 08:04 PM

Hi Rod

The camera is really not the issue here. What are you shooting mainly? Will you be using just the stock lens on the camera or other lenses on an adapter?

I don't like the harshness of tungsten nor the cold light of LED's so I tend to use CFL lights bounced back into an umbrella ... they give a much softer light and don't get hot either. As already said it depending what result you want depending on what you are shooting but for general use I would still opt for a CFL kit ..but that's just me!

Chris

Scott Nocella · July 16th, 2014, 09:55 PM

A Cheap LitePanels Alternative? A Review Of The Zabolight LED Light Kit | Fstoppers

This is the way to go. Spend money once and have equipment that will last. Having a good light kit is an essential.

Chris Harding · July 17th, 2014, 01:20 AM

Sheesh!

I have tried LED's and don't like them! Not for main lighting anyway as they are just too darn harsh and cold. Yep, I use on camera LED's but only as a fill light.

I even tried diffusing them really well but the light is still cold and hard! I guess if you are doing a factory shoot then they would work but I simply just don't like the light on skin tones... sorry!!

The OP hasn't yet responded to what he shoots ...if you shoot sports video then you don't really need lights at all but if it's going to be stuff in a studio that's supposed to look soft and romantic then I would still give LED's a miss .. I love the convenience and battery power and man, they are really efficient but for people they still are too hard for me!

Chris

Jon R. Hand · July 17th, 2014, 01:39 PM

I agree with Chris, particularly with skin tone. Own several LED lights, been trying to soften them for over a year now. Nothing has worked for me. Have even called in lighting pros. Nothing has worked. CFL all the way!

Shaun Roemich · July 17th, 2014, 06:06 PM

I sold my 4 x 800w Ianiro Red Head kit 3.5 years ago and haven't looked back. My 5 Lowel ProLight kit went 6 months ago as well...

1000 LED panels by Dracast, Kinoflo DIVAs and rentals of specific instruments as needed cover my bases.

Chris Hurd · July 17th, 2014, 07:57 PM

Thread moved to Photon Management per suggestion.

Craig Chartier · July 23rd, 2014, 06:39 PM

LEDs are getting much better, however, cheap ones are not going away. If you can look at the Fiilex brand of LEDs single source fixtures, P360's and for adding softness to basic multi led panels look into using the AirBoxLights inflatable soft box.it really does work well on panels.

July 16th, 2014, 10:10 AM	#1
Rod Chesnut Tourist Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Flower Mound, Texas Posts: 3	Best starter 3 light kit for EA50UH What light kit should I consider for the NEX-EA50UH ? Last time, with my first DV cams, I bought a DeSisti Magis Fresnel and Wyeth Soft 3-Light Kit. First question: Tungsten or LED? This time I'm considering: A. 4 x 800W RED HEAD Continuous Light with Dimmer Studio Video Lighting KIT (cheap $400US chinese kit w 3200W dimmers) B. 3pcs 500 LED Video Light Panel Dimmable Barndoor With Caster Stands & Boom Set ($490) Second question: Has anybody mixed tungsten and LED balancing all lights to 5600?

July 16th, 2014, 08:04 PM	#2
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Best starter 3 light kit for EA50UH Hi Rod The camera is really not the issue here. What are you shooting mainly? Will you be using just the stock lens on the camera or other lenses on an adapter? I don't like the harshness of tungsten nor the cold light of LED's so I tend to use CFL lights bounced back into an umbrella ... they give a much softer light and don't get hot either. As already said it depending what result you want depending on what you are shooting but for general use I would still opt for a CFL kit ..but that's just me! Chris

July 16th, 2014, 09:55 PM	#3
Scott Nocella Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Long Island, USA Posts: 46	Re: Best starter 3 light kit for EA50UH A Cheap LitePanels Alternative? A Review Of The Zabolight LED Light Kit \| Fstoppers This is the way to go. Spend money once and have equipment that will last. Having a good light kit is an essential.

July 17th, 2014, 01:20 AM	#4
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Best starter 3 light kit for EA50UH Sheesh! I have tried LED's and don't like them! Not for main lighting anyway as they are just too darn harsh and cold. Yep, I use on camera LED's but only as a fill light. I even tried diffusing them really well but the light is still cold and hard! I guess if you are doing a factory shoot then they would work but I simply just don't like the light on skin tones... sorry!! The OP hasn't yet responded to what he shoots ...if you shoot sports video then you don't really need lights at all but if it's going to be stuff in a studio that's supposed to look soft and romantic then I would still give LED's a miss .. I love the convenience and battery power and man, they are really efficient but for people they still are too hard for me! Chris

July 17th, 2014, 01:39 PM	#5
Jon R. Hand Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Buffalo NY Posts: 33	Re: Best starter 3 light kit for EA50UH I agree with Chris, particularly with skin tone. Own several LED lights, been trying to soften them for over a year now. Nothing has worked for me. Have even called in lighting pros. Nothing has worked. CFL all the way!

July 17th, 2014, 06:06 PM	#6
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Re: Best starter 3 light kit for EA50UH I sold my 4 x 800w Ianiro Red Head kit 3.5 years ago and haven't looked back. My 5 Lowel ProLight kit went 6 months ago as well... 1000 LED panels by Dracast, Kinoflo DIVAs and rentals of specific instruments as needed cover my bases. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

July 17th, 2014, 07:57 PM	#7
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Re: Best starter 3 light kit for EA50UH Thread moved to Photon Management per suggestion. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

July 23rd, 2014, 06:39 PM	#8
Craig Chartier DVi Contributor Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 374	Re: Best starter 3 light kit for EA50UH LEDs are getting much better, however, cheap ones are not going away. If you can look at the Fiilex brand of LEDs single source fixtures, P360's and for adding softness to basic multi led panels look into using the AirBoxLights inflatable soft box.it really does work well on panels.