Indy Video Lighting for $100 or less

Many low-budget and indy filmmakers like to build their own lighting setups.

With the wide availability and affordability of CFL lights, building your own lights is no longer a necessity since CFL bulbs are inexpensive for their comparative light output.

As of this writing (August 2014), the #1 selling continuous lighting kit on Amazon.com is a set of three 45watt CFL 6500K, Daylight Balanced bulbs with umbrellas and stands. This kit is only $47.95 and produces the equivalent of 600 watts of light output while only using 135 watts of energy.

 

Why use CFL bulbs for your indie lighting?

• Cheap.  CFL's cannot be beat for their price and light output.
• Will not produce excess heat.  CFL bulbs will keep your actors comfortable because produce very little heat and will allow you to take down/adjust your lights safer because they are mich cooler to the touch.
• Small form factor.  Pack your whole lighting kit in a bag and maybe a small box to protect the bulbs.
• Flexible.  Your bulbs can be swapped out for higher or lower light output.

CFL to incandescent equivalents for video lighting:
45w = 200 watts
85w = 300 watts
105w = 400 watts

The lighting kit I just ordered is the Cowboy Studio Softbox Lighting Kit, 600 watt output.  I chose this kit because it was inexpensive at $76, provides a 5500k daylight balanced light source, and includes softboxes with stands, which are generally more useful than umbrellas for video lighting.

If the two 85 watt bulbs (300 watt incandescent equivalent) provided in the kit do not provide enough light for my video setups, I can simply purchase standalone 105 watt bulbs from Cowboy Studio or LimoStudio to bump my 600 watt lighting kit to 800 watts for $30 or less.


Great Videos on Indy Lighting

How-to: Powerful DIY video light (800 watt equivalent) - YouTube (March 2012)

$60 DIY video light created by Griffon Hammon from Indy Mogul

85 watt CFL bulb provides 300 watts of traditional light.  Indy Mogul uses this for some videos.

Three Point Lighting example from Indy Mogul.

Color temperature scale.  5,000k balanced lights mix well with sunlight.

Setting up your lights/precautions

• Screw in your CFL bulbs by the base to avoid breaking them and releasing mercury vapors
• Know how to dispose of CFL bulbs in your area in case you break a bulb.

Standalone CFL Light Bulbs to expand your lighting kit:

LimoStudio 2 x Photo Studio Photography 105 Watt 6500K Day Light Fluorescent Full Spectrum Bulb - $18.46

LimoStudio Set of Two 105 Watt, 6500 K Fluorescent Daylight Balanced Light Bulb for Photography and Video Lighting, AGG878 - $28.50

CowboyStudio Set of Two 105 Watt, 5000 K Fluorescent Daylight Balanced Light Bulb for Photography and Video Lighting - $29.25

If need a 1K light (1000 watt) equivalent, here is one for less than $100:
StudioPRO 1000W Photo Studio Continuous Portrait Video Lighting Kit with Light Stand, Five 45W Daylight Bulbs, and Softbox - $71.95
-- this kit has five individual on/off switches for each of the light sockets.