Film Lights Comparison

LAST UPDATED: 12/8/07

From cheap to expensive, popular light sources for indie films:

Sunlight

Cost: Free
Advantages: Strong, free source of light.
Disadvantages: Best for outdoor setups; have to work with changing direction throughout the day, changing color temperature; harsh, constantly-moving shadows.
Accessories: Use reflectors to make the sun into multiple sources or control direction. Use a silk to reduce or soften harsh sunlight.

Continue reading about popular indie film lights...Consumer Practicals
Cost: Free or cheap
Advantages: Simple set-up; low cost; realistic look. Widely available.
Disadvantages: Lack of control over wattage and position.
Accessories: Unscrew the lightbulbs in regular fixtures and replace them with higher wattage bulbs. Add lamp shades or cleverly hide gels. For off-screen, use an aluminum 'scoop' reflector with clamp.

Chinese Lanterns a.k.a. China Balls
Cost: $4-$16
Advantages: Affordable; soft light. Widely available.
Disadvantages: Hanging them can be tricky, especially in wider set-ups. Paper is flammable; nylon versions less of a fire hazard but more expensive.
Accessories: Different shapes available; can rig with multiple bulbs, gels.
Upgrade: Higher end Lantern Lock models from $60-$85; Chimeras starting at $200.

Work Lights
Cost: $20-$50
Advantages: Lots of light with built-in stand for afforable price.
Disadvantages: Runs very hot; less control over aim and output.
Accessories: Enterprising folks like Martian Welk can alter the reflector, build barn doors and glass enclosures.
Tip: Bounce off a ceiling or wall for softer light.

Smith-Victor Photoflood
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Lowell Omni
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Lowell Tota
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Joker Bug 150
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Advantages: High output for low amperage.
Disadvantages: HMIs need heavy ballast, crystal sync generator so they flicker in synchronization.
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Kino Flo Diva-Lite 200 Florescent
Cost: $675 MSRP / $529 Retail
Advantages: Runs cool, low power, dimmer built in, lightweight, steady soft light.
Disadvantages: Must be close to subject. No ability to do hard lighting effects, large form factor.
Accessories: Different color temperature bulbs.

Kino Flo Diva-Lite 400 Florescent
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Advantages: Runs cool, low power, dimmer built in, lightweight, steady soft light.
Disadvantages: No ability to do hard lighting effects, large form factor.
Accessories: Different color temperature bulbs.

Kino Flo 2' Ve 4Bank
Cost: MSRP $1,055 / $913 Retail
Advantages: Runs cool, low power, dimmer built in, lightweight, steady soft light.
Disadvantages: No ability to do hard lighting effects, large form factor.
Accessories: Different color temperature bulbs.

ICElite 117 Florescent
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ICElite 200 Florescent
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Shadowcaster 100W Quartz
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Mole PARs

Lowell Fren-L
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LTM Pepper 100W Fresnel
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LTM Pepper 300W Fresnel
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ArriLite 300W Fresnel
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Advantages: Top-loading.
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ArriLite 650W Fresnel
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ArriLite 1000W Open-face
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Advantages: Standard outlet plug, lots of light.
Disadvantages: Hot hot hot. Quartz light time-consuming to change, especially if protection grate is screwed in; must be careful not to get oils from skin on light.
Accessories: Barn doors, diffusion grates, gels. Use Chimera softbank for soft light.

Joker Bug 200 HMI
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Advantages: High output for low amperage.
Disadvantages: HMIs need heavy ballast, crystal sync generator so they flicker in synchronization.
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Mole-Richardson 650W Mini-Soft
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Mole-Richardson 650W "Tweenie" Fresnel
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Magi 650W Fresnel
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Wyeth 1000W
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Joker K5600 HMI
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DEBT OF GRATITUDE: Choosing the right light

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