Arri Kit vs a-la-carte

[John Sharaf]

Dan,

The LED’s are really more of an “proximity” light, like a Kino Flo, so they definitely are not as versatile as the 650’s and 1K in the Arri kit, which can be used for both hard and soft light and can be aimed near and far. Also, because they are new and emerging technology they are still quite expensive (at least the good ones with accurate color). To be sure, hike yourself down to a pro video showroom and have a good play with all these units before you spend the big bucks, you’ll be much more secure that you’re making the right decision.

JS

[Daniel Schultz]

Thanks for all your help, John.

Dan S.

[Bill Davis]

Daniel,

My advice would be to amend the Arri Kit to the other standard configuration which is 2 650s and 2 300s.

This gives you two balanced “sides” of fresnel lighting. This will do primary lighting for both interviews and larger venue issues like recording a more formal presentation where you need to set up the camera at the back of a room and cover a speaker or presentation. With suitable bounce cards, you can also cover dual persons 60 minutes style interviews.

You’re losing the 1k and the softbox. To replace that buy a 1k Lowel Tota and extra 500 and 750 lamps for the Tota. This with a Chimera Small will replace the 1k with a more flexible soft key at significantly less cost and gives you the option to downlamp it and better balance the light to today’s far more sensitive DV cameras. The 1k Arri open face is about the only fixture Arri Makes that I don’t really like. Unless they’ve changed it since I last used one a decade ago, the housing isn’t well matched to the heat of that size lamp and the plastic of the fixture is nearly always singed or partially melted in kits I’ve come across. Plus with today’s new light sensitive fixtures, 1k is too strong for most lighting setups smaller than a warehouse. The Tota lets you opt to the 1000 watt open face config if you need to blast light into a big open area more efficiently than the Arri.

I’d expect you can light for a good 5-10 years of an early career with just these basics.

Add as needed as the jobs come up to support further investment.

My 2 cents anyway.

[Daniel Schultz]

Thanks, Bill.

Interesting idea using the Tota as my soft box.. I was thinking along similar lines, because I love the arri fresnels, and I’m not crazy about their open faced lights either, but wanted a quick/easy way to get a soft key without being foreced to cart along c-stands and bounce cards or such.

I just picked up the other kit from B&H (2 650s, 1 300, 1k arri lite). I have 15 days to think about it, return this kit and exchange. Price-wise, it’d be roughly the same getting the 4 fresnels and the tota, because the 4 fresnel kit is about $300 cheaper than the softbox kit. The main issue for me is the idea of adding more weight. The arri kit’s so heavy, and I’d love to not have to add to it. Perhaps the tota and chimera could squeeze into the arri case?

Thoughts?

Dan S.

[Daniel Schultz]

One more question for Bill: If I go with the Tota, do I need to use the tota softbox, or should I use the same one that comes with the arri, which is the chimera?
Thanks again.

Dan S.

[Daniel Schultz]

And then to further confuse matters…

What about Lowell’s Rifa softbox, compared to the tota as the softbox?

Dan S.

[Daniel Schultz]

Just talked to B&H and turns out they don’t make the tota 1000s anymore, because they had problems with heat. So the two Lowel choices are
1. Rifa softbox, a little pricier
2. DP with a chimera softbox, which can be stepped down from 1000 to 700 and 500 lamps.

Would you still recommend the Lowel softbox over the arri lite 1k?

Dan S.

[Peter Rummel]

I bought the Arri kit you got about 12 years ago, and have used it almost every shooting day since. It’s been the cornerstone of my lighting package – a great deal. The fixtures, stands, and case are all good quality.

But I found the open face 1k too much for most situations. That is a LOT of light to be throwing at someone in an interview. I took it out of the case, and replaced it in the case with a Tota (500-700 watts, depending) and a 100 Pepper. The Tota works with the Chimera, but needs a dedicated speed ring. The Tota can also be used bounced or even direct if needed, unlike a Rifa. I bring the 1k along in another bag if I suspect I’m going to need it.

In the Arri case I’ve also put 2 dimmers, 2 extra stingers, grip clips and various clamps, a round foldable reflector, and a large selection of gels and diffusion. Yes, my lighting case if very heavy – but I have confidence I can handle most situations that come up.

In recent years I’ve added KinoFlos and an HMI to my kit. They do many things beautifully – but the Arri lights are still more useful and versatile

[Daniel Schultz]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for your advice, all the more valuable with your experience.

I guess it comes down to two choices.

1. Keep the kit I have and add a tota with speed ring, and bring the 1k if I need it.

2. Return the kit, and get the one with 4 fresnels (2 300s, 2 650s) and get a lowel light and softbox that can do 1k, 700 or 500. That way I’d have the two matching sets of fresnels AND the softbox.

With your experience with the arri kit, what would you suggest. I like the idea of jamming as much as possible into the arri case, even if it’s heavy.

Thanks!

Dan S.

[Bill Davis]

Plenty of room in case for extras.