This is a Lowel DV Core 500 Kit, LB35R Case three-light kit. It includes a floodlight, softbox light, and a small focusing flood. Adjust the shape, softness and color of the light emitted with the barndoors, umbrella and gels. The soft kit case holds it all, including the compact folding stands.
The Rifa-lite EX 55 is a compact, self-contained, 21 x 21", 250W, collapsible softlight that uses an umbrella design allowing set-up in 60 seconds or less. Choose between low- or high-wattage halogen, screw-in fluorescent or incandescent lamps, using different modules (available separately). Bathe almost anything in luxurious soft light, from talking heads to table-top stills. It's the perfect complement to today's compact, light-sensitive, digital cameras and film stocks.
With its high intensity #2 reflector & prismatic glass, the tiny focusable Pro-light is more efficient than a Fresnel of equal wattage, yet it gives an exquisite even light, with Fresnel-like shadow quality. It can be used as a low-level key or accent light, fill light (with diffusion), or backlight.
Powerful enough to light a small room yet small enough to fit in a large pocket, the V-light can be used as a broad key light, a fill light (with an umbrella or diffusion gel), a backlight, or a background light. It's also excellent for copy work.
| Rating |
Rifa-lite eX55: 500 watts V-Light: 500 watts Pro-light: 250 watts |
| Socket (Lampholder) |
Rifa-lite eX55: 2-pin V-light: Double-ended Pro-light: Pro socket |
| Lens (Condenser) |
Rifa-lite eX55, V-light: Not applicable Pro-light: Prismatic glass |
| Reflector (Mirror) |
Rifa-lite eX55: Silver interior softbox V-light: Not applicable Pro-light: High intensity #2 reflector |
| Mounting | Fits on any standard 5/8" stand or stud |
| Yoke | Not applicable |
| Cable |
Rifa-lite eX55, Pro-light: 4' captive cable V-light: 16' #18/2 |
| Focusing |
Rifa-lite eX55, V-light: Not applicable Pro-light: Continuously variable |
| Weight |
Rifa-lite eX55: 2.5 lbs (1.1 kg) V-light: 1.5 lbs (0.68 kg) Pro-light: 2 lbs (0.9 kg) |
| Dimensions |
Rifa-lite eX55: Collapsed length 24" (61 cm) V-light: Size closed: 7.3 x 7.3 x 1.3" (18.5 x 18.5 x 3.3 cm) Pro-light: 4.6 x 5 x 3.7" (11.7 x 12.7 x 9.4 cm) Kit in Case: 30.5 x 11.5 x 8.5" (77.4 x 29.2 x 21.6 cm) (77.5 x 29.2 x 21.6 cm) |
| Kit Weight | 25 lbs (11.5 kg) |
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 6 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-6
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lowel DV Core 500 Kit, LB35R Case:
Good kit to "grab and go" with. Quick interviews, small interiors, etc. are perfect for this product. Good one to build on to as well. Consider adding another softbox.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lowel DV Core 500 Kit, LB35R Case:
Originally planned to get Core 250 kit primarily for lighting on location one-subject interviews, B&H recommended Core 500 as having more versatility; potential to light more of subject and maybe even squeeze in a second one. Good idea, but overlooked how much light the Core 500 throws off in a small space, which is often where we're shooting (e.g., someone's office). Bought low watt lamphead for Rifa (not cheap!) to have a "less light" option for that. But think twice if you know you're doing head shots in small spaces and that's it. Core 500, albeit great, is probably more than you want.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lowel DV Core 500 Kit, LB35R Case:
Exceedingly portable with great flexibility, The Lowel DV Core 500 is highly useful for interviews, small scenes and even portrait work. More than capable of providing professional results in a small setting.I have always found the v-light design unnerving and a bit cheap fealing. As such it is my least favorite piece in the kit. Conversly, the Rifa-lite is easy to use and feels extremely solid.The biggest negative with the kit is that the stands, while portable and light, are very unstable, especially if extended to their fullest height (which is often for many lighting applications). The included stands are insufficient to safely hold the kit's Rifa-lite at the height of a normal adult. Even with a sandbag holding the unit in place, the thin metal bends in a way I simply don't find safe. (I am using a much more sturdy light stand in place of it, an extra expense you may wish to consider before purchasing.)These lights put out a lot of heat and, as such, you will need to prepare to keep them at a comfortable distance from your subject.These lights are best suited to video/film[...]
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lowel DV Core 500 Kit, LB35R Case:
I shoot video and make short movies as a hobby. Mostly stuff for my family and local non-profits. I've had a Sony HD camera and Final Cut editing system for a while and have been slowly adding other pro-sumer accessories (cordless microphones, etc.) I wanted a reasonably-priced light kit to get better quality video inside. I also wanted something that was easy to set-up and compact. The Lowel DV Core 500 Kit turned out to be perfect for me. It comes with three lights, excellent quality, only costs about[$] bucks amd breaksdown nicely to fit in an included carrying case. I'm very happy with my choice. I feel like I got professional-grade lights at a pro-sumer cost.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lowel DV Core 500 Kit, LB35R Case:
Performed well. All in all, a good compact little light kit for doing one or two person interviews. The Lowel web site is a valuable resource for learning how to use these lights as well.
A few minor issues: One of the stands had a bent thumbscrew. A small tear in the soft box diffuser. And a broken weld in one of the lights, where it attaches to the stand. Other than these production quality issues, I really like the kit overall, and the soft box mechanism in particular (breaks down easily!). Lost a star due to this. Otherwise would have been a 5.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lowel DV Core 500 Kit, LB35R Case:
For the low budget consumer who wants a professional look. compact and easy to take anywhere you need to.
Displaying reviews 1-6
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 6 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-6
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lowel DV Core 500 Kit, LB35R Case:
Good kit to "grab and go" with. Quick interviews, small interiors, etc. are perfect for this product. Good one to build on to as well. Consider adding another softbox.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lowel DV Core 500 Kit, LB35R Case:
Originally planned to get Core 250 kit primarily for lighting on location one-subject interviews, B&H recommended Core 500 as having more versatility; potential to light more of subject and maybe even squeeze in a second one. Good idea, but overlooked how much light the Core 500 throws off in a small space, which is often where we're shooting (e.g., someone's office). Bought low watt lamphead for Rifa (not cheap!) to have a "less light" option for that. But think twice if you know you're doing head shots in small spaces and that's it. Core 500, albeit great, is probably more than you want.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lowel DV Core 500 Kit, LB35R Case:
Exceedingly portable with great flexibility, The Lowel DV Core 500 is highly useful for interviews, small scenes and even portrait work. More than capable of providing professional results in a small setting.I have always found the v-light design unnerving and a bit cheap fealing. As such it is my least favorite piece in the kit. Conversly, the Rifa-lite is easy to use and feels extremely solid.The biggest negative with the kit is that the stands, while portable and light, are very unstable, especially if extended to their fullest height (which is often for many lighting applications). The included stands are insufficient to safely hold the kit's Rifa-lite at the height of a normal adult. Even with a sandbag holding the unit in place, the thin metal bends in a way I simply don't find safe. (I am using a much more sturdy light stand in place of it, an extra expense you may wish to consider before purchasing.)These lights put out a lot of heat and, as such, you will need to prepare to keep them at a comfortable distance from your subject.These lights are best suited to video/film[...]
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lowel DV Core 500 Kit, LB35R Case:
I shoot video and make short movies as a hobby. Mostly stuff for my family and local non-profits. I've had a Sony HD camera and Final Cut editing system for a while and have been slowly adding other pro-sumer accessories (cordless microphones, etc.) I wanted a reasonably-priced light kit to get better quality video inside. I also wanted something that was easy to set-up and compact. The Lowel DV Core 500 Kit turned out to be perfect for me. It comes with three lights, excellent quality, only costs about[$] bucks amd breaksdown nicely to fit in an included carrying case. I'm very happy with my choice. I feel like I got professional-grade lights at a pro-sumer cost.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lowel DV Core 500 Kit, LB35R Case:
Performed well. All in all, a good compact little light kit for doing one or two person interviews. The Lowel web site is a valuable resource for learning how to use these lights as well.
A few minor issues: One of the stands had a bent thumbscrew. A small tear in the soft box diffuser. And a broken weld in one of the lights, where it attaches to the stand. Other than these production quality issues, I really like the kit overall, and the soft box mechanism in particular (breaks down easily!). Lost a star due to this. Otherwise would have been a 5.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lowel DV Core 500 Kit, LB35R Case:
For the low budget consumer who wants a professional look. compact and easy to take anywhere you need to.
Displaying reviews 1-6