Sony DR60 Hard Disk Recorder or Red Head lighting kit?

[Cillian Daly]

Hi everyone.

 

I'm a film student from Ireland, and I posted the below message in the HD forum, but i think it may be reaching the wrong audience there! Anyway, it's reprinted below for viewing.

 

Cheers.

---------------------------

 

Howdy all.

 

I am currently pricing a combination of camera (V1E most likely) tripod kit (manfrotto 503DV Kit), sound kit (Sennheiser 416 Kit), and a Photon-Beard Red-head lighting kit OR the Sony DR60 HDD storage drive. My question is really would it make more sense to go with the lights, or the convenience of shot footage archived to tape and captured to hard drive at the same time?

I'll be primarily using the gear to shoot documentaries (final year specialisation) and shorts. I'm leaning towards the lights as being more useful on a doc shoot, but at the same time I'm tempted by the convenience/safety of the hard drive.

 

Any advice/experiences/problems with the above, I'd much appreciate it.

 

regards,

 

Cillian

[Brian Drysdale]

The Lights will be more useful if you're starting out and they will last you longer than your new camera or the hard drive. Also, most people don't use hard drives, so you're not alone.

[Cillian Daly]

Thanks Brian, I'd kinda come to that conclusion anyway. Makes sense the more I think about it! My only question now is which manufacturer to go for: Arri or Photon-Beard. I've used Arri lights in college, but not Photon-Beard, and I can't find much in the way of reviews or people reporting on using them.

 

Anyway, thanks agin for the reply.

 

Regards,

 

Cillian

[Rob White]

Thanks Brian, I'd kinda come to that conclusion anyway. Makes sense the more I think about it! My only question now is which manufacturer to go for: Arri or Photon-Beard. I've used Arri lights in college, but not Photon-Beard, and I can't find much in the way of reviews or people reporting on using them.

 

Anyway, thanks agin for the reply.

 

Regards,

 

Cillian

 

Redheads are kind of a blunt tool, have you considered Arri Junior fresnels? From what i remember they were a lot more controllable, and as i assume you're shooting interviews with the lights mainly, you don't really need 600/800w, and so might better off with some 300/150's. less strain on the power supply, and less weight to carry.

[Brian Drysdale]

In Ireland there isn't really a power issue with Redheads, but they're not the most controllable lights. However, the extra wattage does come in handy if you're gelling up for daylight with a window in the background.

 

Fresnel lights give you a lot more control, although I'd go more for a 500 watt or 650watt option for interviews and general doc work - you can always scrim or use ND gels. Also helps if you want to use a Chimera.

 

I've never used the Photon-Beard lights.

[Cillian Daly]

Rob, Brian,

 

thanks for your comments, they're much appreciated. You're both quite right, fresnel would be miles better, considering what I'm gonna be using them for. Time to rethink my purchase!

 

Cheers guys,

 

Cillian

[Kieran Scannell]

Cillian,

 

If you could stretch to it (they're quite expensive!) you might also have a look at dedo lights, I find them invaluable in documentary situations.

 

Kieran.