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What's the Best Choice for a Basic HMI Kit?

Manfred Lopez

Manfred Lopez

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Hey all,

I'm thinking about adding some basic HMI's to my kit. I am looking at the K5600 Joker Bug Combo 3 Light HMI PAR Kit (Link bellow)... which consists of a 200W, a 400W and an 800W head. Is this kit the best there is (for the money) that will solve most HMI lighting needs? Or can I do better by looking at Arri or Mole-Richardson? And are these wattages a good-all-around choice? Or should I look into higher wattages and only get one sub-1000w unit?

My primary use for them would be for music videos and indie features, so I am looking for a combination that will do for most situations. Oh, and I already own a very old 1200W Fresnel HMI made by Lee Lighting (as well as Tungsten and Kinos). Any opinions are very welcome... especially from peolple who use these kinds of lights all the time. Thanks in advance.


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/472789-REG/K5600_K0200400800JBP_Joker_Bug_3_Light.html
 
Hmm, I use this kit by Britek that I got for $1,000 with two 1Ks, two 650s, and a 300, plus it came with stands, softboxes, gloves, gels, a lighting DVD, etc. It has worked quite well for indie needs, I mean it's not great, but an experienced DP we worked with looked over the stuff and was like, "Hey this is pretty good!" haha. It's not that bad of a kit.

We're looking into getting a bunch more "standard," "professional" lights, though, from Mole Richardson. If you find any other good packages definitely let me know, I want to find something where I can get a bunch of needed accessories (c-stands, flags, silks, etc.) in one package that will be pretty good for our needs. Then I'll buy a 2K and so will David, for our purposes there's really no reason we'd ever need more than a few 2Ks and some 1Ks, etc.
 
JonathanLB said:
Hmm, I use this kit by Britek that I got for $1,000 with two 1Ks, two 650s, and a 300, plus it came with stands, softboxes, gloves, gels, a lighting DVD, etc.
Click to expand...

But are those HMI's? It doesn't sound like it... at least not for $1000. I am interested in daylight balanced sources that throw a lot of light and draw little power.
 
I know what you mean, that is a great solution, we were looking into a 1.2Kw HMI that was $8,800 at Mole Richardson! Really expensive.. the guy told us honestly that we wouldn't be served well by buying something we probably will not use that often, and that he could rent it to us for just a few hundred a week.
 
rent the HMIs. Although the 1.2K is a workhouse for me on low budget shoots - the price to buy and the subsequent repairs are just too steep a price for the light. I much prefer the look of corrected tungsten anyway....but then you need much bigger units....generator....etc....
 
Yeah, that's the problem, it's so nice to have something put out so much light without using too much electricity. This guy said we could get away with just using filters on tungsten lights, of course not quite as much light, but it'd be something.
 
JonathanLB said:
Yeah, that's the problem, it's so nice to have something put out so much light without using too much electricity. This guy said we could get away with just using filters on tungsten lights, of course not quite as much light, but it'd be something.
Click to expand...

The problem with trying to use CTBed tungsten sources is that they will produce between 8:1 and 10:1 less output than a comparable HMI with the same power consumption.

I agree with what others have stated, rent what you need. Owning expensive sources like HMIs isn't practical unless you are shooting all the time.
 
khmuse said:
I agree with what others have stated, rent what you need. Owning expensive sources like HMIs isn't practical unless you are shooting all the time.
Click to expand...

Haha, I am thinking the opposite - own lights, rent Red!

Everyone in LA buys cameras. Few people buy lights!

Although I must admit, conventional wisdom about lights not going out of date / depreciating in value as much as digital equipment might be challenged in the next 10 years if LEDs really get going...

Anyone played with the weather-resistant Kobolds? They looked super to me at CineGear.

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com
 
I'd pass on the Joker 200 and the 800, but the 400 is a very versatile light that I use often, and have one in my kit. If you need more punch than that... rent. If you need less, you can easily cut from the 400. I've got 2 Kino Flo Divas as well in the kit that can be swapped out 32 or 56. Kind of useless outdoors but a great soft light for inside. I end up using them alot!
 
Well, every time I shoot I will be using the camera, but every time I shoot I won't need to replicate daylight... honestly the HMIs can be rented without it being as big of a deal, because I won't use them on every shoot.
 
Hey Bruce,

Have you seen a link to purchase the Kobolds. I can't find a price anywhere, only for accessories. I would love to have a 400w in my kit. Thanks.
 
The Kino Flo Gaffer Kit has been the most versitile light for me so far. It is great for green/blue screen and corporate video. I keep a set of 3200 and 5600 tubes on hand at all times to mix with the tungsten kit and gels.

Steve
 
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