Performance
The shoot in which we tested this kit lasted for over eight hours and during that time the lights were never turned off. I was very pleased with how cool the consoles remained during that time. Particularly in small areas, the heat produced by most lights becomes quite intense, affecting the stamina of the crew and actors, plus the staying-power of make-up and even whether or not a shoot can continue on an already hot day. Filmmakers who’ve worked with makeshift lighting set-ups or inadequate gear will really appreciate using a kit that minimizes such negative factors. The vertically adjustable light stands also make corrections and changes easy and much safer than climbing onto ladders or scaffolding.
Value
I absolutely put my stamp of approval on this kit! If you're experiencing some sticker-shock concerning the price, I can assure you that this kit is worth every penny. The versatility of the four lights that are included will allow you to achieve most any lighting design you envision. And the quality of the components and ease of use will provide you with faithful service for years.
Final Comments
ARRI is the gold standard in lighting and good lighting is what guarantees good exposure, especially if you’re planning to shoot your next film in the extremely light hungry format of HDV or HD.
While $3,200 might seem a bit expensive on a microfilmmaker budget, the fact that the kit includes almost everything you need to light virtually any microfilm set well means that you can expect it to be an investment that will easily pay for itself, especially when compared to light rental. (In fact, the only things missing from this kit are some Rosco gels and sandbags, as every other lighting accessory is included.)
Additionally, for any readers who might be interested in finding out more about ARRI's products, they are currently shipping out a special "Fixture" Tool that allows you to determine which of their offerings might work best for you by dialing in the specific fixture for information on the light's voltage, lens size, scrim size, speed ring and ballast. They will currently send out a free copy of this tool to any of our readers that email them via the following special email link: Free MFM ARRI Lighting Tool.
