ARRI 300/650 Fresnel Combo Kit
Reviewed By: Jessica Creech

As many microfilmmakers know, lighting is often one of the most sacrificed elements in a low-budget production. Whether that is for lack of knowledge, inadequate equipment or an improper understanding of lighting’s impact, it seems that this line item gets cut from budgets all too easily. Knowing that the funds of microfilmmakers are limited (me included), I set out in search of an all-around kit that would provide the most value in terms of cost and versatility. The results of that search let me to ARRI’s combo kits. The model I’ve chosen to review is the 300/650 Fresnel Combo Kit (although others are available). Take a few moments to read our review that explains the full extent of its capabilities and I believe you will find it well worth the investment.

Manufacturer: ARRI
Type: Light Kit
Number of Lights: 4
Wattage: 300W (2), 650W
Weight: 85 lb.
MSRP: $3,175
Release Date: Available Now
Official Website: http://www.arri.com
Review Date: 12/15/2007

Ease of Use
This ARRI Fresnel Combo Kit is comprehensive, agile and very easy to use. The hardware is solidly assembled and well designed, with access to compartments for bulbs, scrims, etc. Once you’ve installed the bulbs, flipping a single switch will have you on your way to creating a polished, professional lighting scheme. Also, detailed diagrams make assembling this kit easy for even the most novice users. A very practical advantage to choosing Fresnels is that they light people very evenly and effectively. They are the standard of choice, whether shooting on location or on-set.

If the words “assembly required� conjure images of wrenches, screwdrivers and confused head-scratching, be reassured that the engineers at ARRI have done all the work for their users. Each unit is fully assembled including a compartment for scrims, a clearly labeled knob for spot or flood options and a frame for attaching a set of barndoors. The lighting unit is easily secured to the lighting stands using a tension knob that will consolidate the two components during use. Finally, using barndoors will provide a new dimension of control in terms of directing the light toward your subject. The sturdy hinged panels, ability to rotate the doors and black matte finish of the hardware make it possible to very precisely angle the light in the direction you choose.

(Important safety tip: Place a sandbag on the base of the light stand to help anchor it during use. Minor bumps can cause very hot lights to fall during production.)

Depth of Options
This kit is outfitted with all the features one would expect in a unit of its reputation. As anyone who is acquainted with the lighting industry is aware, ARRI is a premiere company. Their lights service multi-million dollar productions as well as broadcast newsrooms, independent production companies and even low budget microfilm sets. And, after reviewing them closesly, they are now the equipment of choice for Microfilmmaker’s productions. A large part of the appeal of ARRI’s products is their proficiency for scaling their equipment without losing quality in their product line. So using this Fresnel Combo Kit (or other ARRI products) allows you to utilize the same quality of equipment that is afforded to filmmakers with much higher budgets. Conversely, your production value can much more closely resemble the quality those filmmakers produce.

To get an idea of what all is included, the Kit includes:
(2) 300W Fresnel
(2) FKW 300W Lamp
(2) 650 W Fresnel
(2) FKW 650W Lamp
(4) Barndoor
(4) Filter Frames
(2) 5� Full Single Scrim
(2) 5� Full Double Scrim
(2) 6 5/8� Full Single Scrim
(2) 6 5/8 Full Double Scrim
(4) AS-2 Stand
(1) Accessory Pack
(1) Heavy Duty Case with wheels (40X19X13 _�)

For most microfilm sets (small to medium), the 300/650 combo is very adaptable. The 650s can be combined to produce over 1200 watts of power and can be diffused in many ways to adjust to the desired quality. The same principles apply in the case of the 300 watt bulbs. The user can also choose to down-lamp the equipment using a lower wattage bulb. This is particularly helpful for those of you shooting with very light sensitive cameras. Users retain control by using the hardware while preventing blow-out in the scene. When not in use, the halogen lamps that fit the lights can be placed in a padded plastic case that accompanies the kit to prevent breakage. (Remember that halogen lamps should never be touched with bare hands. Natural oil from your fingers will damage them and they can be expensive to replace.)

The ARRI 300/650 Fresnel Combo Kit provides four lights for use. On the most basic level, it is always very helpful to have an extra light on hand in case of equipment malfunction. You may also choose to create more complex lighting set-ups with additional available equipment. Additionally, this kit delivers in terms of accessories. It is completely ready for you to “plug and play,� providing scrims, C-47s (clothes pins) for attaching gels and diffusion material, a scrim bag, a multi-head extension cord, and leather gloves. The time saved in gathering these materials is a huge value in itself. Also, the equipment case is very agile, particularly for its weight. The heavy duty exterior and wheels will stand up to significant abuse. Plus, there are several sturdy, collapsible hand grips to allow one or two people to move the kit.

Finally, a basic lighting manual is included in every kit. So if you are reluctant to purchase a kit because you believe you wouldn’t know how to use it anyway, you now have absolutely no excuse! This booklet explains the basic concepts of lighting and also includes several set-up diagrams for lighting scenarios. A picture of the lighting look for each scenario is included so users can easily pick the style they wish to achieve and know how to position the lights to accomplish it. (Of course, for more in-depth training, The Power of Lighting for Film & Video is a DVD training series on lighting with ARRI lights that’s very economical. Running just $150 for four training DVDs, it is led by one of ARRI’s top trainers, Bill Holshevnikoff.)

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.)

BREAKDOWN
Ease of Use: 10
Depth of Options: 10
Performance: 10
Value: 10
Overall Score: 10

Author’s Bio: “Jessica Creech has worked in numerous elements of video production for over eleven years. Her clients have included the International Olympic Committee, Canadian Broadcasting Corp., NFL, NHL, Rolex Equestrian 3-Day Event, AT&T/Comcast, Lexington Legends Baseball, Hammond Communications Group and others. She has recently begun using her gaffing expertise in film and joins Microfilmmaker Magazine as a lighting analyst.”

Editor’s note: This equipment review is cross-published from our affiliate, Microfilmmaker Magazine. FreshDV has previously reviewed a similar Arri Fresnel Combo kit in both print and video forms.