Lighting noob

[koolpenguin89]

Hey guys, what do you think about this light kit? :http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ree_Flood.html

Ive been meaning to get into lighting, and one or two of these look like they might do the trick.

Has anyone here used these before and can comment on the quality?
Thanks in advance

dylan

[Erik Bien]

Hi dylan,

Although I've not used that specific kit, I have an Impact Bounce Kit (which I believe has a very similar gobo-arm stand to the one in the kit you linked) and I've used similar open-face kits (by Smith Victor, I think).

First, the GOOD: If you're starting from scratch, the case and stands are probably worth the cost of the kit. By and large, I've been happy with the quality of Impact-brand gear I own. And if you ever want to experiment with compact fluorescents, those medium-base sockets will take them.

The NOT-SO-GOOD would include short lamp-life from those "photoflood" globes (I think they're only rated to survive 60 hours) and very little "control" (no lenses, barndoors or other adjustments, no provision to mount color gels, they're essentially Home Depot-style "clip lights" with non-meltable sockets and wooden handles to stop you burning your fingers). Also, all three lights offer the same quality of "broad" "hard" light, making it harder to cut errant spill, cast patterns with a "cookie," or pick out specific areas of your shot as you could with a more tightly-focused beam.

Still, you could improvise your way around those issues to an extent with some blackwrap, some gel frames and maybe some homebuilt china balls.

[koolpenguin89]

ya, i was thinking of the whole "no control thing. when you say the lamps-life is short, what do you mean by the lamp? the outlet that is connected to the wire? why would that have such a short life? i mean, the bulbs i imagined would die out pretty quick, but not the whole thing.

dylan

[Erik Bien]

LOL

Sorry, man; that's the problem with jargon. Civilians say "bulb," stagehands say "lamp," gaffers say "globe" (except in the UK, where they say "bubble").

I meant the glass bit with the little glowing metal bits inside that you replace when it burns out ...

[koolpenguin89]

ok, thanks for the info. I think im gonna get the kit just to mess around with. like you said, if it doesnt work out, i still have the stands and bag