BEST portable light for interview setups

[Peter Mosiman]

This is great, small package and pleasing look.

http://provideocoalition.com/index....st_fastest_interview_lighting_setup--ever/P1/

 

[Michael Panfeld]

David/Eric: that is correct. Put differently, filters can only remove wavelengths of light. They cannot add them. So if a light never produces a certain wavelength (as with LEDs) , the only way to achieve a even spectral distribution is to add a second light that does and then balance the two with gels to give an even spread. Sound complicated? Yup, that's why nobody does that.

LED light manufacturers will spout all kinds of misinformation and marketing BS to get you to buy their products. Do they put out light. yes, cheaply and with little power, weight, heat, or radiation. Is that light good for anything: yes, of course. Is it good for shots where correct color rendition is important? absolutely not, especially with skintones as the AMPAS study has shown.

 

[Alan I]

Here's a cool kit that came out NAB time from Litepanels w/ (3) LED Fresnel
http://www.litepanels.com/language/pages/lighting_kits.php

 

[Leo Ticheli]

Unfortunately, "portable," and, "interview," are pretty much mutually exclusive. Here's what I consider necessary for general interview lighting:

1. Color temperature: You will often run into daylight windows on the location, so you need daylight balance. This eliminates all tungsten sources. Period.

2. Punch: With windows in the BG, you've got to have a powerful key source or the window will be completely burned out. Goodbye to small Key Lights.

3. Quality of the Light: Since the softness of the light is directly proportional to the relative size of the Key, small sized Kino Flos are not good choices, unless you are so tight the aperture of the light is relatively large to the subject.

This leaves only two practical choices, either a large sized Kino Flo or similar fixture and an HMI with a soft box or silk. I much prefer the former, because it's flat design takes up much less space than an HMI with a large soft box. This is a definite plus in tight locations such as small offices. I use a Kino Flo Image 85; big aperture, compact, low power, cool burning, daylight, and nice soft light. Pretty easy to move around on a Jr. Stand.

If I absolutely cannot travel with an Image 85, I use a Mole Richardson Biax 8.

Of course opinions vary; that's why they have so many flavors in the ice cream store.

Good shooting and best regards,

Leo