what light to get for interviews.... at DVinfo.net

Kevin Galliford · June 5th, 2006, 07:15 PM

I am in News and want a good quick setup light source for interviews so my stuff looks good!

I am looking at a Photoflex Starlight Kit which includes everything for $268.00 , light, softbox, stand., but setup looks like it might take a few....

Lowel has a Rifa 44 light for $389.00 with everything light, softbox and stand. A little more expensive than the Photoflex but the setup looks 100 times quicker and easier than photoflex, which I guess I want because since i'm in news I want it to be quick and simple.

Or I was looking at a Lowel DV Pro light kit with 2 lights, stands and 2 umbrellas for $369.00. Setup seems pretty simpe and quick. plus I can use the 2nd light as a backlight.

Anyone have any suggestions....Please give me your vote below.

When you reply put a.....
1 for Photoflex Starlight Softbox kit
2 for Lowel Rifa 44
3 for the 2 Lowel DV Pro Light setup

Emre Safak · June 5th, 2006, 07:48 PM

Wrong forum dude.

Cole McDonald · June 5th, 2006, 08:38 PM

what kind of interview...ENG standup man on the street kinds of things? or sit down well lit interviews?

Steven Gotz · June 5th, 2006, 08:44 PM

Get this in a hurry. It shows you how to do interviews using a light kit for under $1500.

http://www.vortexmedia.com/LightingDVD/LIGHTING.html

Kevin Galliford · June 6th, 2006, 01:44 PM

fOR SIT DOWN INTERVIEWS....I know how to light I just wanted someones opinion on what kit to get thats all. but no one seems to want to help out...

Steven Gotz · June 6th, 2006, 01:54 PM

I gave you a suggestion, and that is to watch the DVD and see how he uses his light, and what he recommends.

At a minimum, read this review and see a picture of the types of lights and tools he uses.

http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage...ght_shoot.html

You won't see an umbrella in the set.

Patrick Gault · June 13th, 2006, 11:51 AM

Hi Kevin,

Its not that no one wants to help. Just do a search for Interview lighting and you will see many responses to those who have asked the question before.

I have two interview kits listed in the classified section if your interested.

David Tamés · June 13th, 2006, 02:02 PM

Here's a thought:

When choosing between something like:

1 for Photoflex Starlight Softbox kit
2 for Lowel Rifa 44
3 for the 2 Lowel DV Pro Light setup

Go for the largest soft light you can afford to carry in terms of size/weight as well as afford in terms of cost. And instructional DVDs notwithstanding, the tools you use should come out of your own experience and style (as you said, you know how to light, you're looking for suggestions on specific instruments, not a tutorial).

This topic has been covered again and again in many threads. Rifa wins the "ease of setup" race again and again, however, I'd suggest something physically larger than the 44, like the 66 or 88. Easier to put a smaller lamp in a soft light (if the intensity is too high) than make the thing physically larger. The little Rifa are nice from a portability standpoint, but in terms of quality of light... you're going to be happier with the 66 or 88 if you want nice wrap on someone's face.

Here are some of the many threads here to look at:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=28908

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=67936

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=67547

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=51718

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=48907

So many threads... and in the end, it all boils down to your specific aesthetics, budget, needs...

Daniel Wang · June 14th, 2006, 08:39 PM

Lowel is the current ENG standard - good on you mate!

Most any photog has a Lowel Omni - with Speed ring for Chimera. That is the Key light, the fill can be an on camera (Anton Bauer Ultralight2 or Frezzi Sungun) - or something like the Totalight. I would stick with Lowel, most ENG guys know it, trust it. For sit downs, I would go with a 3 point system, the Rifa for key, omni for fill, tota for background / hair. Shoot me an email if you have any questions

(there are plenty of ENG people here, but check our b-roll.net for top-notch ENG talk)

Graham Bernard · June 15th, 2006, 12:39 AM

One-man band? One word: DIMMER! - I'd be lost without an in-line dimmer control next to me. Easy-peasy . .

Grazie

Kevin Galliford · June 19th, 2006, 02:06 PM

I went with the Lowel Rifa 44 and the Lowel Pro Light kit w/ bardoor and it has a dimmer on it as well. thanks for all the help. I will try to get it working soon.

Nate Ford · June 29th, 2006, 10:32 AM

let me know what you think about the rifa as the main soft key.

my standard seated interview setup was always that photoflex starlight kit (with white not silver) as my main soft key, usually like 3/4 frontal, and the prolight 180 degrees from it for hair/backlight. generally works like a charm. if you need fill you can bail on the backlight and use the prolight for that.

but i didn't own the starlight so i'm shopping, considering the rifa. how is it in terms of heat? i've always felt like lowell sucks in that department. the starlight instrument is some kind of aluminum i believe, with sort of a baffle-type design that does a pretty good job of cooling down quickly.

Kevin Galliford · July 2nd, 2006, 12:18 PM

the rifa 44 works great used to light an interview that aired on tv, i work in news and it was very nice looking i had an egg crate attached 40 degree a MUST have it reallly helps with the controll of the light spill.....it coolds down very quickly and its a heck of alot easier and faster to setup since its all in one unit other than any other softbox i would reccoment. 250watt is plenty.

June 5th, 2006, 07:15 PM	#1
Kevin Galliford Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: USA Posts: 139	what light to get for interviews.... I am in News and want a good quick setup light source for interviews so my stuff looks good! I am looking at a Photoflex Starlight Kit which includes everything for $268.00 , light, softbox, stand., but setup looks like it might take a few.... Lowel has a Rifa 44 light for $389.00 with everything light, softbox and stand. A little more expensive than the Photoflex but the setup looks 100 times quicker and easier than photoflex, which I guess I want because since i'm in news I want it to be quick and simple. Or I was looking at a Lowel DV Pro light kit with 2 lights, stands and 2 umbrellas for $369.00. Setup seems pretty simpe and quick. plus I can use the 2nd light as a backlight. Anyone have any suggestions....Please give me your vote below. When you reply put a..... 1 for Photoflex Starlight Softbox kit 2 for Lowel Rifa 44 3 for the 2 Lowel DV Pro Light setup

June 5th, 2006, 08:38 PM	#3
Cole McDonald Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sauk Rapids, MN, USA Posts: 1,675	what kind of interview...ENG standup man on the street kinds of things? or sit down well lit interviews? __________________ Web Youtube Facebook

June 5th, 2006, 08:44 PM	#4
Steven Gotz Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 1,520	Get this in a hurry. It shows you how to do interviews using a light kit for under $1500. http://www.vortexmedia.com/LightingDVD/LIGHTING.html __________________ Steven Gotz http://www.stevengotz.com

June 6th, 2006, 01:54 PM	#6
Steven Gotz Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 1,520	I gave you a suggestion, and that is to watch the DVD and see how he uses his light, and what he recommends. At a minimum, read this review and see a picture of the types of lights and tools he uses. http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage...ght_shoot.html You won't see an umbrella in the set. __________________ Steven Gotz http://www.stevengotz.com

June 13th, 2006, 02:02 PM	#8
David Tamés Kino-Eye Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 457	Here's a thought: When choosing between something like: 1 for Photoflex Starlight Softbox kit 2 for Lowel Rifa 44 3 for the 2 Lowel DV Pro Light setup Go for the largest soft light you can afford to carry in terms of size/weight as well as afford in terms of cost. And instructional DVDs notwithstanding, the tools you use should come out of your own experience and style (as you said, you know how to light, you're looking for suggestions on specific instruments, not a tutorial). This topic has been covered again and again in many threads. Rifa wins the "ease of setup" race again and again, however, I'd suggest something physically larger than the 44, like the 66 or 88. Easier to put a smaller lamp in a soft light (if the intensity is too high) than make the thing physically larger. The little Rifa are nice from a portability standpoint, but in terms of quality of light... you're going to be happier with the 66 or 88 if you want nice wrap on someone's face. Here are some of the many threads here to look at: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=28908 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=67936 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=67547 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=51718 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=48907 So many threads... and in the end, it all boils down to your specific aesthetics, budget, needs... __________________ David Tames { blog: http://Kino-Eye.com twitter: @cinemakinoeye }

June 5th, 2006, 07:48 PM	#2
Emre Safak Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,447	Wrong forum dude.

June 6th, 2006, 01:44 PM	#5
Kevin Galliford Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: USA Posts: 139	fOR SIT DOWN INTERVIEWS....I know how to light I just wanted someones opinion on what kit to get thats all. but no one seems to want to help out...

June 13th, 2006, 11:51 AM	#7
Patrick Gault Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cereal City USA Posts: 286	Hi Kevin, Its not that no one wants to help. Just do a search for Interview lighting and you will see many responses to those who have asked the question before. I have two interview kits listed in the classified section if your interested.

June 14th, 2006, 08:39 PM	#9
Daniel Wang Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 113	Lowel is the current ENG standard - good on you mate! Most any photog has a Lowel Omni - with Speed ring for Chimera. That is the Key light, the fill can be an on camera (Anton Bauer Ultralight2 or Frezzi Sungun) - or something like the Totalight. I would stick with Lowel, most ENG guys know it, trust it. For sit downs, I would go with a 3 point system, the Rifa for key, omni for fill, tota for background / hair. Shoot me an email if you have any questions (there are plenty of ENG people here, but check our b-roll.net for top-notch ENG talk)

June 15th, 2006, 12:39 AM	#10
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	One-man band? One word: DIMMER! - I'd be lost without an in-line dimmer control next to me. Easy-peasy . . Grazie

June 19th, 2006, 02:06 PM	#11
Kevin Galliford Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: USA Posts: 139	I went with the Lowel Rifa 44 and the Lowel Pro Light kit w/ bardoor and it has a dimmer on it as well. thanks for all the help. I will try to get it working soon.

June 29th, 2006, 10:32 AM	#12
Nate Ford Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: new york, ny Posts: 121	let me know what you think about the rifa as the main soft key. my standard seated interview setup was always that photoflex starlight kit (with white not silver) as my main soft key, usually like 3/4 frontal, and the prolight 180 degrees from it for hair/backlight. generally works like a charm. if you need fill you can bail on the backlight and use the prolight for that. but i didn't own the starlight so i'm shopping, considering the rifa. how is it in terms of heat? i've always felt like lowell sucks in that department. the starlight instrument is some kind of aluminum i believe, with sort of a baffle-type design that does a pretty good job of cooling down quickly.

July 2nd, 2006, 12:18 PM	#13
Kevin Galliford Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: USA Posts: 139	the rifa 44 works great used to light an interview that aired on tv, i work in news and it was very nice looking i had an egg crate attached 40 degree a MUST have it reallly helps with the controll of the light spill.....it coolds down very quickly and its a heck of alot easier and faster to setup since its all in one unit other than any other softbox i would reccoment. 250watt is plenty.