Does Smith Victor suck? at DVinfo.net

Josh Bass · April 9th, 2003, 02:19 PM

I've seen that the prices for Smith Victor gear are generally lower than other light manufacturers. Are these decent lights? I saw the Q60 600 Watt open faced light with lamp and barn doors for than $100. That's a lot of wattage, some degree of controllability, and a nice price. Anyone love these, hate these, feel any way about them? My girlfriend just bought an omni light. With stand, barn doors, and bulb, it came out to almost $300. What's the difference between that and the light I mentioned above? Anything to do with softening or diffusing can be done with bouncing or tough spun, no?

Ken Tanaka · April 9th, 2003, 02:21 PM

Josh,
Do a Search. We had a lengthy thread dealing with low-budget lighting here very recently. All of your questions are answered there.

Dylan Couper · April 9th, 2003, 10:28 PM

You get what you pay for. If you are buying a $100 light, you are getting $100 worth of craftsmanship and reliability.
I have a couple SV lights sitting in a case gathering dust, acting as a stand for a stack of VCRs.

Bill Pryor · April 12th, 2003, 03:29 PM

That's a good use for the SV kit; wish I had thought of it before I gave mine away.

Dylan Couper · April 12th, 2003, 08:08 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Bill Pryor : That's a good use for the SV kit; wish I had thought of it before I gave mine away. -->>>

You better believe it! They raise the VCRs to juuuust the right hight that I don't have to bend over all the way to put tapes in them! Really saves a lot of strain on the back. :)

I shouldn't knock them though. Dollar for dollar, they do offer alot of bang for the small buck, for people just getting into video.

April 9th, 2003, 02:19 PM	#1
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Does Smith Victor suck? I've seen that the prices for Smith Victor gear are generally lower than other light manufacturers. Are these decent lights? I saw the Q60 600 Watt open faced light with lamp and barn doors for than $100. That's a lot of wattage, some degree of controllability, and a nice price. Anyone love these, hate these, feel any way about them? My girlfriend just bought an omni light. With stand, barn doors, and bulb, it came out to almost $300. What's the difference between that and the light I mentioned above? Anything to do with softening or diffusing can be done with bouncing or tough spun, no? __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

April 9th, 2003, 02:21 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Josh, Do a Search. We had a lengthy thread dealing with low-budget lighting here very recently. All of your questions are answered there. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

April 9th, 2003, 10:28 PM	#3
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	You get what you pay for. If you are buying a $100 light, you are getting $100 worth of craftsmanship and reliability. I have a couple SV lights sitting in a case gathering dust, acting as a stand for a stack of VCRs. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

April 12th, 2003, 08:08 PM	#5
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	<<<-- Originally posted by Bill Pryor : That's a good use for the SV kit; wish I had thought of it before I gave mine away. -->>> You better believe it! They raise the VCRs to juuuust the right hight that I don't have to bend over all the way to put tapes in them! Really saves a lot of strain on the back. :) I shouldn't knock them though. Dollar for dollar, they do offer alot of bang for the small buck, for people just getting into video. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

April 12th, 2003, 03:29 PM	#4
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	That's a good use for the SV kit; wish I had thought of it before I gave mine away.