Equipment: A Good One-Light Starter Kit
All this can be yours for just $250
October 1st, 2007 | David Tamés
Natural light is most often the best choice for lighting, especially when doing documentary, but sometimes you need some help. If you like to travel light, here's a suggestion for a minimalist $250 one light starter kit. The inventory includes:(1) Lowel Tota-Light w/ Protective Screen and 16' power cable, less lamp, street price $115 (2) Two 500W, 120V 3200°K lamps (FDN), always carry a spare, street price $15 ea (3) Lowel Umbrella for Tota, street price $30, turns the Tota into a decent key light (4) Manfrotto Nano Light Stand (#001B) ideal for travel, closed length is only 19'' fits in a carry-on bag for travel by air, yet opens up to height of 6.2', street price $55 (4) Extension cord, 25' 14 gage, three-prong w/ three outlets, not pictured, street price $20. Other items (not included in budget) would be a carrying case and a small padded box for storing spare lamps.
Once you master the use of this kit, you might want to add some small Fresnel instruments (e.g. 150W and 300W Arri Fresnels with spare lamps. barn-doors, and light stands). Many beginners miss the chance to work with Fresnels by buying kits like Lowel's DV Creator kit which in many respects is too much wattage and not enough light in the right places, unlike an open face Omni light, Fresnels have a focused beam that puts the light where you need it rather than all over the place, while open faced light are hard to control, Fresnels, by virtue of their optical design, are easy to control and their barn doors actually work by cutting the light sharply.
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good idea, but...
The Tota is the world's least flexible lighting unit. If you want to stick with Lowell, go with an Omni or DP so you can add barn doors and have a unit that will focus/spot a little. You can still use a brella or bounce off foam core or a reflector. Not much more $.
Tota vs. Omni
I own both Omni and Tota lights, and the reason I suggested the Tota with the Umbrella as a pair as the basis of a minimalist one light kit is that together they make for a nice soft light, with minimal weight and size. The Omni is slightly heavier and much bulkier. The barn doors on the Omni do not work all that well, since it's not a Fresnel, and the Omni in spot mode is not very flattering. As an additional light it's OK, but if had to pick a single light on a tight weight, bulk, and cash budget, I stick to my guns with the Tota suggestion.
Don't forget the case
Milk crates are free! I would add a reflector in this kit when the budget allows. And don't forget to look for used gear like at dvxuser.com.
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