$5000 at DVinfo.net

Michael Best · April 23rd, 2006, 10:32 AM

Hi there - I know there are a ton of threads on this but thought I might get some fresh ideas. Shooting with a DVX-100, short film. Allotting $5k for new lights and wanted some input. I'm looking at a Arri kit for starters but what else would be good to compliment the kit. Also, is there any reason to get 300's when the 650's will take a lesser bulb? Wouldn't five 650's be better than two with two 300's and a 150 or does the width of the fresnel lense make a difference? I'm looking strictly at 3200k right now, no HMI's yet. As always thanks for any input.

Seth Bloombaum · April 23rd, 2006, 05:52 PM

650s lamped down to 300w are fine, and, more versatile. My primary small kit will take 650w but is usually lamped with 420w. A couple lamped 650 and a couple lamped 300 would get you through most 4-light setups. (650 key & back, 300 fill and background.)

This provides plenty of light if the subject is a person or two, the modern DV cameras have such good light performance... then you'd still be able to lamp with 650w if you were needing to illuminate a large space.

A really small fixture or two can come in handy to fix a small problem.

I'd add a soft box or two, and some grip equipment to position reflectors, backgrounds, gobos, or lights in unusual places. If you have transportation and help, the standard sizes such as those by Mathews are good. If you go out solo, the small stuff from Lowel is much easier to transport. A large photoflex-style 5-way reflector, a small one. If you shoot people outside and can handle the heavier grip stuff and sandbags a 12' silk on a frame is nice.

Various attachments from Lowel and Mathews will hang lights without a stand, such as Math. putty knife, chain vise-grips, or Lowel scissor clip, door hanger, etc.

Be sure to get a single and double scrim for each light, plus a few half-scrims.

A location cart to move it all around?

What/where will you be shooting for this short film?

Michael Best · April 23rd, 2006, 06:15 PM

Thanks Seth - This $5k is just for lights, I've got the other stuff and a production truck to haul everything. Not a specific project, just want to be well equipped. I want to place an order at B&H tomorrow but want to get the right stuff. I'm stumbling on the smaller fixtures, if I can down lamp the 650's why not get those instead, barring the 150 lamp I believe. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Bill Hamell · April 24th, 2006, 02:37 AM

You might want to consider ordering Altman lights instead of Arri less expensive and the same quality of light.
That is what I did with no regrets.

Bill

Matthew Wilson · April 26th, 2006, 06:29 PM

Hi Michael,
As many times as quesitons like yours are asked, I thinkl it's cool becuase we all like to shop, especially with other people's money.

The 650's are great and certainly not a whole lot bigger than the 300, but you would do well to get a couple 150's or small peppers as they are much smaller and can be mounted lots of places the larger ones can't. I like to mount them on Autopoles which are really useful in interiors.

I would also recommend a 1K and/or 2K open face (Arrilite-type). They can provide a ton of light and real punch when needed. I've got a Softbank I kit that has the 1K Arrilite and Chimera. It's very versatile and useful.

I have also found Kinos to be extremely useful and versatile for dv work. You might think of something along those lines as well. For $5K you should get you a great Arri kit, some smaller 150's and some fluourescent as well.

regards,
Matt

Michael Best · April 26th, 2006, 07:11 PM

Here's where what I went with - Arri (2) 650's, (2) 300's, (2) 150's (all accessories), Desisti 1K Fresnel, Lowel Soft light 2k and the same in a 1500.
(6) C-stands with arms. Got a little more to spend so all input is great, in fact the forums rounded my decisions, not the vendor, you guys are awesome. I'm now researching the fluoro's..

Marcus Marchesseault · April 26th, 2006, 08:45 PM

There are two Diva 400s up in the classified section of these forums. Fluoro or HMI is the only way to go if you need to match daylight. I hate needing to double the wattage on an already hot light to compensate for the CTB filtering reduction. Fluorescent also helps ease the burden on the electrical system.

Michael Best · April 26th, 2006, 08:56 PM

will research - thanks

Michael Best · April 26th, 2006, 08:58 PM

point to the auction?

Marcus Marchesseault · April 27th, 2006, 02:08 PM

http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=65938

April 23rd, 2006, 10:32 AM	#1
Michael Best Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Oceanside Harbor, CA Posts: 446	$5000 Hi there - I know there are a ton of threads on this but thought I might get some fresh ideas. Shooting with a DVX-100, short film. Allotting $5k for new lights and wanted some input. I'm looking at a Arri kit for starters but what else would be good to compliment the kit. Also, is there any reason to get 300's when the 650's will take a lesser bulb? Wouldn't five 650's be better than two with two 300's and a 150 or does the width of the fresnel lense make a difference? I'm looking strictly at 3200k right now, no HMI's yet. As always thanks for any input.

April 24th, 2006, 02:37 AM	#4
Bill Hamell Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mystic Ct. Posts: 477	You might want to consider ordering Altman lights instead of Arri less expensive and the same quality of light. That is what I did with no regrets. Bill __________________ Cinematographers Bring Shadow To Light

April 26th, 2006, 06:29 PM	#5
Matthew Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 259	Hi Michael, As many times as quesitons like yours are asked, I thinkl it's cool becuase we all like to shop, especially with other people's money. The 650's are great and certainly not a whole lot bigger than the 300, but you would do well to get a couple 150's or small peppers as they are much smaller and can be mounted lots of places the larger ones can't. I like to mount them on Autopoles which are really useful in interiors. I would also recommend a 1K and/or 2K open face (Arrilite-type). They can provide a ton of light and real punch when needed. I've got a Softbank I kit that has the 1K Arrilite and Chimera. It's very versatile and useful. I have also found Kinos to be extremely useful and versatile for dv work. You might think of something along those lines as well. For $5K you should get you a great Arri kit, some smaller 150's and some fluourescent as well. regards, Matt __________________ MW

April 23rd, 2006, 05:52 PM	#2
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	650s lamped down to 300w are fine, and, more versatile. My primary small kit will take 650w but is usually lamped with 420w. A couple lamped 650 and a couple lamped 300 would get you through most 4-light setups. (650 key & back, 300 fill and background.) This provides plenty of light if the subject is a person or two, the modern DV cameras have such good light performance... then you'd still be able to lamp with 650w if you were needing to illuminate a large space. A really small fixture or two can come in handy to fix a small problem. I'd add a soft box or two, and some grip equipment to position reflectors, backgrounds, gobos, or lights in unusual places. If you have transportation and help, the standard sizes such as those by Mathews are good. If you go out solo, the small stuff from Lowel is much easier to transport. A large photoflex-style 5-way reflector, a small one. If you shoot people outside and can handle the heavier grip stuff and sandbags a 12' silk on a frame is nice. Various attachments from Lowel and Mathews will hang lights without a stand, such as Math. putty knife, chain vise-grips, or Lowel scissor clip, door hanger, etc. Be sure to get a single and double scrim for each light, plus a few half-scrims. A location cart to move it all around? What/where will you be shooting for this short film?

April 23rd, 2006, 06:15 PM	#3
Michael Best Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Oceanside Harbor, CA Posts: 446	Thanks Seth - This $5k is just for lights, I've got the other stuff and a production truck to haul everything. Not a specific project, just want to be well equipped. I want to place an order at B&H tomorrow but want to get the right stuff. I'm stumbling on the smaller fixtures, if I can down lamp the 650's why not get those instead, barring the 150 lamp I believe. Your input is greatly appreciated.

April 26th, 2006, 07:11 PM	#6
Michael Best Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Oceanside Harbor, CA Posts: 446	Here's where what I went with - Arri (2) 650's, (2) 300's, (2) 150's (all accessories), Desisti 1K Fresnel, Lowel Soft light 2k and the same in a 1500. (6) C-stands with arms. Got a little more to spend so all input is great, in fact the forums rounded my decisions, not the vendor, you guys are awesome. I'm now researching the fluoro's..

April 26th, 2006, 08:45 PM	#7
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	There are two Diva 400s up in the classified section of these forums. Fluoro or HMI is the only way to go if you need to match daylight. I hate needing to double the wattage on an already hot light to compensate for the CTB filtering reduction. Fluorescent also helps ease the burden on the electrical system.

April 26th, 2006, 08:56 PM	#8
Michael Best Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Oceanside Harbor, CA Posts: 446	will research - thanks

April 26th, 2006, 08:58 PM	#9
Michael Best Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Oceanside Harbor, CA Posts: 446	point to the auction?

April 27th, 2006, 02:08 PM	#10
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=65938