Tag Archives: cheesycam studio

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Just got an email this morning again asking about how I like the Cheap 3pc Lighting kit that I talked about a short while back. For the price of a single 500 LED light, you can get this set of three - all dimmable with diffusers. There's pros and cons to all lighting, this is a cheap entry level set but very flexible to integrate into any project. Since then there's been many questions about how well they work, and people wanting to see more examples. So i've been trying to show a few things that i've used them for when possible.
First I showed a video where I used it during a Zoom H1 vs. Tascam showdown here: http://cheesycam.com/tascam-vs-zoom-h1-audio-samples/
I think I also showed the kit in use during an EA Sports interview about the new Need for Speed game here: http://cheesycam.com/need-for-speed-hot-pursuit-bts-interview/

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Cheap 3pc Lighting Kit on set with Linda Le

Here's another lighting sample just shot last night in the studio. With just continuous lighting (no strobes) I was able to grab a few Photos for some BTS footage. Last night we worked with the fun and lovely Linda Le in which she'll be featured in a video / photo / interview profile. If you're a Comic Con type fan, I believe the anime inspired costuming is known as 'Cosplay'? I'll show you guys that stuff later, because I know we're all more interested in the Equipment, rather than photos and videos of random beautiful women.

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Green Screen area

We made quite a mess of things with backdrop stands setup, several different lighting sets, a green screen area, and more. When using the 3pcs Lighting Kit off on one end of the studio I grabbed the Canon 60D with Canon 85mm F/1.2 to take a few snaps. No flashes here, just all ambient from the lighting kit. There were just two additional lights for the colored gels behind. Just goes to show it's not just for video use, but can be effective in a bit of fun photography as well. The kit comes with 3 Lights, 2 Softboxes, 3 Light Stands, 1 barn door, a travel case, all with dimmer switches. For small projects, it's a great cheap set that gives you a little bit more creativity to your projects found here: http://cheesycam.com/new-800w-barndoor-softboxes-3pcs-lighting/

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Photos taken with lighting from cheap 3pc Lighting Kit
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find-price-button 3pc 2400w Dimmable Video Lighting Kit Softboxes

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find-price-button 2400 watt 3 lights Continuous Video Light Kit

Kit + Green Screen
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find-price-button 2400w Green Screen 10 x 12 ft Lighting Kit

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(Note Video Error: I kept saying the arm mounts dead center in the 'Chest' What I meant was in the Stomach area.)

In this video i'm referencing the Varizoom DV Sportster Vest for some Steadicams, Flycams, and Glidecams. It's a cheap vest, and have heard slightly negative feedbacks about this particular item. Part of the fun in finding useful affordable tools is to get hands on and see what the true limitations are. Since there wasn't much information on the web about this product, I thought I would at least be a reference point for others who might be searching for information on this. I know, I know, I gave it a shot, but it's ok to leave comments saying 'Emm - I Told You So. What were you thinking? Why didn't you listen to us all...."

The problem isn't the build quality. It's very light weight and sturdy. The arm feels plenty strong to carry the Glidecam HD1000 DSLR Stabilizer that I did a video about. The problems I had with the vest was the ergonomics. Everything just felt like it was in the wrong place. Just after a few minutes of wearing it, I felt like grabbing some steel and fixing the design with my own. Just by relocating the arm to the side instead of dead center would have already been a huge improvement. A simple steel plate is all that it would take to get that situated. The back support is just straps, so it doesn't provide good relief from the weight. Everything just loads up on the back of your neck. So, it's lightweight, strong, fairly priced, but needs redesign in the Ergo department. Hey Varizoom..if you ever want guys like me to test and suggest for product design...Holla!

By the way - You can catch a bit of the studio i've been working on. Thanks to some local Photographer friends, they all pitched in to (literally) scrub the floors, lay down epoxy, tile the bathroom, change out the toilet, and move in some gear, but it's still a long way to go. Just brought in some couches and chairs, and there's still a whole lot of equipment not yet there. I can only pass by for an hour before I head home, and all my weekends have been booked with camera work. Someday this thing will have it's use....