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Video Lighting Equipment Buyer's Guide 2009

There are many ways you might try to combat low-light situations, such as adjusting the aperture on your camera or filming in locations that don't require extra lighting. Unfortunately, these solutions can be limiting and often fall short of your lighting needs. Proper lighting will not only give you saturated colors, but will also help create depth of field, resulting in a final picture that is worth a second look.

Determining your lighting needs can be frustrating, due to the wide variety of equipment and costs. Keep your budget and your lighting needs in mind. This will help narrow your choices and make for an easier decision. If you find that your lighting needs don't fit into your budget, purchase a general light that will be versatile. You can always supplement it as your budget allows. If your budget allows for more lights, a lighting kit may be a good place to start.

Buying a lighting kit is like walking into an ice cream shop and ordering a three-scoop sundae. The possibilities are endless, leaving you with one question: What's going to hit the spot?

There are several things to take into consideration when purchasing a lighting kit. Portability is important if you plan on moving the lights to and from locations. Some kits include a case to house your lights, cables and accessories. Cases that are equipped with wheels are an added bonus, since wheels will allow you to roll your lights around effortlessly.

A lighting kit wouldn't be complete without stands and accessories. Stands allow you to place your lights at the desired height. If you purchase stands that are too short, your lighting possibilities will be limited. In addition to height, sturdiness is another important factor to consider. You want a stand that will support the weight of your light plus the extra weight of accessories, without the risk of falling over.

Most importantly, the lighting kit you purchase should be flexible, to meet your various needs. Since every lighting situation can be different, having a flexible kit will allow you work around any obstacle.

Whether you're buying one light, several lights or a kit, you'll eventually have to decide what kind of bulb you want to purchase.

Incandescent: Incandescent bulbs are much like the common household bulb. The heating of a tungsten filament creates the light. This results in a warmer color temperature than daylight. Incandescent bulbs are less expensive than other bulbs, but they don't create a lot of light, and you need to replace them frequently.

Halogen: Halogen bulbs are similar to incandescent bulbs, but with the addition of halogen gas. The added gas allows for a brighter-burning light and an extended lifespan. The color temperature is closer to daylight than non-halogen incandescent bulbs, but you will still need gels when mixing them with cooler light sources. While they are inexpensive, they create a lot of heat and use more power.

Fluorescent: When thinking of fluorescent lighting, it's hard not to imagine the sickly green hue of a doctor's office. Fortunately, the engineering of the bulbs listed in our Buyers Guide enables them to match the color temperatures of daylight or tungsten bulbs, depending on what you purchase. They cast a soft light, use less power and don't heat up like incandescent bulbs. Fluorescents are great for general lighting and interviews, but, if it's drama you want, you should consider a different bulb.

Hydrargyrum Medium-Arc Iodide (HMI): HMIs are a modern version of the arc light. They output a high level of light at the same color temperature as the sun, while staying surprisingly cool. However, HMIs are expensive, and they use a lot of power, which will add to the overall cost.