When I needed a new light kit, I started to look at what was available in my price range. I have had many kits over the last 15 years, consisting of mostly Lowel lights. Naturally, I’ve become quite a fan of Lowel lights. The Lowel kits have three DP lights, which I love, an army of Omni lights, a Riffi 55 and the cool and small Pro light. One other thing I have, unfortunately, is a work bench of old and broken lights and parts. I decided that it was time to go looking for a kit that would last and was built a wee bit better than the lights I currently own. This led me to ARRI. Of course, ARRI lights come in so many different kit configurations that it’s very hard to choose just one. Open face, Fresnel!

Light Requirements

I did some research and found that by choosing Fresnel light, I would get more power with less wattage – even though it’s a 19th century technology. Fresnel’s lenses have greater ability to focus the light beam brighter than typical lenses and also have a more consistent intensity across the beam of light being transmitted. I knew I wanted a variety to complement the lights I currently own. The ARRI D4 light kit had this and more. The kit includes 2-150w Fresnels, 300w Fresnel and a 650 Fresnel. The 650, with the supplied Chimera Video pro XS 16-inch x 22-inch Softbank and speed ring, gave me my key light, 150w rim light, 300w background or rim light and a 150w for accent light. The total wattage for the kit is 1250 watts.

The Softbank D4 quickly became my kit of choice for interviews and everyday shooting. One reason why is the quality of the stands, which are sturdy, and taller than most others on the market. The D4 comes with basic scrims, barndoors and a set of lamps. The scrims may not be enough for your everyday needs, however. I suggest purchasing additional scrims to round out your kit.

I had never spent this much money on a light kit before and had a hard time parting with the money, but once I got the kit, I was pleasantly surprised at the quality and craftsmanship. The two main lights – the 650 and 300w light – have very long cables, which were really nice on shoots. That means less stingers to carry, since I know my light will work in most situations. I also like having the 2-150W lights along for the ride. These are superb accent lights and can be used on just about every shoot.

The biggest downsides to this kit have to do with cables and weight. The 150W lights have shorter cables, which can seriously hinder their placement. Have back problems? Beware: This kit is heavy. It weighs 50 pounds, not including the extras we all like to carry. Still, this is a nice kit, simple and basic, and should fit the bill for most of your standard work.