Newbie looking for audio and lighting kits. Suggestions?

1. lunybin
   Member

   

   Hi There,

   I've just purchased a Panasonic AG-DVX100B Camcorder for videotaping short films mainly to be placed on the Internet. It has 2 XLR inputs. I'm looking now into audio and lighting equipment, but I'm still a beginner, so I thought I would start small. Does anyone have recommendations for someone just starting off? Lighting kits? Audio kits?
   Thanks in advance.

   Posted 3 months ago # Login to Send PM

2. birdcat
   Moderator

   

   Always thought this one looked good for the money:

   http://www.backdropsource.com/Productinfo.asp?id=3112&pname=chroma-key-flextwist-background-with-6ft-wide-stand-and-soft-boxes

   Posted 3 months ago # Login to Send PM

3. gldnears
   Member

   

   Lunybin asks: "Does anyone have recommendations for someone just starting off? Lighting kits? Audio kits?"

   If I were you, I'd consult a local ( or regional ) rental house and pick their brains. You might even rent a recommended package for a week to tinker with. They might even apply the rental fee toward a purchase if you really like what they provide for your inspection.

   R Crampton

   Posted 2 months ago # Login to Send PM

4. lucifer2a
   Member

   

    you really can't go wrong with a Lowel Tota light kit... They are relatively cheap and good... As for Audio, that is whole different discussion... Depends on what you need and how much you want to spend... Rode, Audio Technica and Sennheiser all make good, relatively low cost shotgun mics... I also have a Sennheiser EW100 G2 Wireless Lav system that is great...

   Posted 2 weeks ago # Login to Send PM

5. composite1
   Moderator

   

   Luny,

   Starting out look for kits. Lowel as 'the Devil v2a' mentioned makes good kits for under a grand. I would hold off on the Tota's until you get used to working with lighting. Omni kits are good lights that don't have open faced halogen bulb holders like the Tota's do. Those suckers get freakin' hot and can be dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced.

   Look for a good 3-4 light kit with some gels, gel holders, at least one umbrella and some basic scrims. The kit should come with a carrying case hard or soft. Hard gives more protection, but is a female dog trying to carry it with just a suitcase style handle.

   Audio wise, your audio kit should have at least 1 shotgun mic, 1 wireless lav kit (w/receiver, transmitter and lav mic.) Later on if you're still in the game, look at getting a portable 2-4 channel field mixer, a boom pole and extra mics. Don't forget XLR cables of varying lengths (i.e. 3ft, 6ft, 20ft, 30ft, 50ft.) When you're not working purely wireless, a long audio cable will save your backside.

   "Picking the brains of the local rental house" is a good idea. However, unless you're getting paid to do a gig don't rent stuff you can use the same money to buy it. Only rent stuff you couldn't possibly afford or is impractical to purchase. As a newbie your goal is to build up your kit. Wait until you have more experience using your basic gear and begin to recognize where your equipment shortfalls are. By that time, you hopefully will have paying clients whereby you can justify the cost of equipment rentals and they won't cut into your bottom line.

   Posted 2 weeks ago # Login to Send PM

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