Lighting kit suggestions at DVinfo.net

Ian Whelan · June 24th, 2013, 02:02 AM

Hi - I'm looking to get a good lighting kit for interviews. What do you use/suggest?

James Kuhn · June 24th, 2013, 11:13 AM

Ian...my first recommendation is to purchase a DVD. Doug Jensen's/Vortex Media "How To Set-Up and Shoot Awesome Interviews with LED Lights", he has an older version DVD using Tungsten Lighting kit as well. The DVD provides Doug's rationale and his recommendations for the choice of lights and how he uses the lighting "system" to expertly light various 'interview' situations. In my opinion, this training DVD is worth every penny.

'Good' LED lights are quite expensive, but, IMHO, the advantages out-way the expense. And, it's my chosen solution. Using Tungsten lights cuts your costs significantly and have been used for years to obtain professional level results. Doug provides an equipment 'shopping list', be it LED or Tungsten, in each DVD.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

J.

Al Gardner · June 24th, 2013, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Whelan

Hi - I'm looking to get a good lighting kit for interviews. What do you use/suggest?

It would help to know your budget.
?

Ian Whelan · June 24th, 2013, 04:52 PM

Hi James -0 I actually attended one of Dougs seminars here is Dublin - might pick up that DVD! The FS100 one is tempting too...

I'm working on a budget of about 800 euro.

Kevin McRoberts · June 24th, 2013, 06:04 PM

For whatever it's worth...

Most simple interview lighting setups I do involve a Lowel RIFA 55 (with 40 degree egg crate) and a Pro-light (with or without a diffuser umbrella), and a few 5-in-1 reflectors to taste. When possible, I sometimes add a second Pro-light to highlight a background. Such a simple kit should be well within your budget, and very easy to transport.

Despite the heat, I prefer tungsten as a dependable, even, full-spectrum light source - and relatively cheap.

Charles Newcomb · June 24th, 2013, 07:24 PM

I got rid of all my tungstens a year ago. Now I don't have to worry about conflict from window light, I don't have to use leather gloves to handle my lights, and I don't blow any circuit breakers. But the LEDs do fall off somewhat shorter.

Oren Arieli · June 24th, 2013, 10:05 PM

+1 for watching Doug Jensen's DVD or offering your services as a PA on corporate shoots. My kit was built over the course of many years, as budget allowed. Now it's a hodge-podge, but 20% of the gear gets 80% of the use. Currently, my favorites are the 2 bank fluorescent case lights. About 1/2 the cost of LED, I get a nice soft source (with spill control from the honeycomb grids), comfortable talent, no blown circuits and pretty accurate skin tones. For hair light, I've gone with a 312 LED (bi-color). Even a cheap one will do a decent job as a hair light. Use black wrap if you need a tighter beam. When budget allows, I'd love an LED fresnel. A few 5-in-1 reflectors come in quite handy for fill, scrim or flag. I've seen good results with a China ball and a hard light source. the key is being creative and working the angles.

Phill Pendleton · June 24th, 2013, 11:06 PM

I have a garage full of lights, fluro & tungsten. I don't know why but the first kit I reach for (interview wise) is my old lowel totas with umbrellas & a couple of dedos for backlight. Love the results I can achieve with these old tunsten dinosaurs.I find the fluros very handy though for green screen and outdoor fill on a cloudy day.

Simon Thewlis · June 25th, 2013, 03:35 AM

+1 re Doug's DVD.

My standard set up is two Dedo Fellonis and two Dedo Ledzillas and a whole bunch of reflectors, diffusers and blacks to control light - both from the lights and other existing sources.

So all LED and generally running off V-lock batteries, or mains power if its going all day.

Have also found the Manfrotto Stacker stands to be great as they pack well for travel.

June 24th, 2013, 02:02 AM	#1
Ian Whelan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Wick Posts: 72	Lighting kit suggestions Hi - I'm looking to get a good lighting kit for interviews. What do you use/suggest?

June 24th, 2013, 11:13 AM	#2
James Kuhn Major Player Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 865	Re: Lighting kit suggestions Ian...my first recommendation is to purchase a DVD. Doug Jensen's/Vortex Media "How To Set-Up and Shoot Awesome Interviews with LED Lights", he has an older version DVD using Tungsten Lighting kit as well. The DVD provides Doug's rationale and his recommendations for the choice of lights and how he uses the lighting "system" to expertly light various 'interview' situations. In my opinion, this training DVD is worth every penny. 'Good' LED lights are quite expensive, but, IMHO, the advantages out-way the expense. And, it's my chosen solution. Using Tungsten lights cuts your costs significantly and have been used for years to obtain professional level results. Doug provides an equipment 'shopping list', be it LED or Tungsten, in each DVD. I hope this helps. Regards, J. Last edited by James Kuhn; June 24th, 2013 at 11:16 AM. Reason: deleted "both".

June 24th, 2013, 04:52 PM	#4
Ian Whelan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Wick Posts: 72	Re: Lighting kit suggestions Hi James -0 I actually attended one of Dougs seminars here is Dublin - might pick up that DVD! The FS100 one is tempting too... I'm working on a budget of about 800 euro.

June 24th, 2013, 06:04 PM	#5
Kevin McRoberts Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 700	Re: Lighting kit suggestions For whatever it's worth... Most simple interview lighting setups I do involve a Lowel RIFA 55 (with 40 degree egg crate) and a Pro-light (with or without a diffuser umbrella), and a few 5-in-1 reflectors to taste. When possible, I sometimes add a second Pro-light to highlight a background. Such a simple kit should be well within your budget, and very easy to transport. Despite the heat, I prefer tungsten as a dependable, even, full-spectrum light source - and relatively cheap. __________________ Freelance pudgy bearded lighting camera operator www.mcbob.tv

June 24th, 2013, 07:24 PM	#6
Charles Newcomb Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Salida, Colorado Posts: 561	Re: Lighting kit suggestions I got rid of all my tungstens a year ago. Now I don't have to worry about conflict from window light, I don't have to use leather gloves to handle my lights, and I don't blow any circuit breakers. But the LEDs do fall off somewhat shorter.

June 24th, 2013, 10:05 PM	#7
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 919	Re: Lighting kit suggestions +1 for watching Doug Jensen's DVD or offering your services as a PA on corporate shoots. My kit was built over the course of many years, as budget allowed. Now it's a hodge-podge, but 20% of the gear gets 80% of the use. Currently, my favorites are the 2 bank fluorescent case lights. About 1/2 the cost of LED, I get a nice soft source (with spill control from the honeycomb grids), comfortable talent, no blown circuits and pretty accurate skin tones. For hair light, I've gone with a 312 LED (bi-color). Even a cheap one will do a decent job as a hair light. Use black wrap if you need a tighter beam. When budget allows, I'd love an LED fresnel. A few 5-in-1 reflectors come in quite handy for fill, scrim or flag. I've seen good results with a China ball and a hard light source. the key is being creative and working the angles.

June 24th, 2013, 11:06 PM	#8
Phill Pendleton Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Australia NSW Posts: 71	Re: Lighting kit suggestions I have a garage full of lights, fluro & tungsten. I don't know why but the first kit I reach for (interview wise) is my old lowel totas with umbrellas & a couple of dedos for backlight. Love the results I can achieve with these old tunsten dinosaurs.I find the fluros very handy though for green screen and outdoor fill on a cloudy day.

June 25th, 2013, 03:35 AM	#9
Simon Thewlis New Boot Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 19	Re: Lighting kit suggestions +1 re Doug's DVD. My standard set up is two Dedo Fellonis and two Dedo Ledzillas and a whole bunch of reflectors, diffusers and blacks to control light - both from the lights and other existing sources. So all LED and generally running off V-lock batteries, or mains power if its going all day. Have also found the Manfrotto Stacker stands to be great as they pack well for travel.