What is the toughest most economical lighting kit money can buy?

[snuck]

This topic doesn't get covered as much as others...

I'm purchasing for my school, and I am wondering what lighting kits are the most universally bombproof and economical to get. Why bombproof? Well because they're going to get used by teenagers of course. They don't have to be good, just functional. Any other lighting tips would be appreciated as well.

Cheers

[Dan Schmidt]

if you are talking strobes, then the alienbees might be the way to go

[Frank Petronio]

Lowels

[Robert A. Zeichner]

If hot lights are what you're after, Lowel DP's and Omni's might work for you. I would shy away from the Tota light as they tend to fry themselves in careless hands or the Pro and V-lights which are more fragile. From Arri you can get both open face quartz halogen fixtures as well as focusing Fresnels. Both companies offer kits and lightweight stands. Arri offers kits with Chimera boxes if soft light is also required. Lowel's solution to soft light is their Rifa system which is a bit easier to handle. Both companies offer a comprehensive supply of repair parts as well.

[snuck]

Thanks for the responses so far. I think that lowell wins it. I was in Vistek the other day, and did like their construction. I'll most likely get them from some place cheaper however...

What about a strobe kit?

[snuck]

oops alienbees...any seconds?

[vinny]

Having used just about every hot light out there i can say this:
The lowels are durable, cheap, and they operate as such. They do put out a fair amount of light though. We had some of them at my school and many videots i worked with in the past owned those kits as well.
Also try chinese lanterns and some 500watt ECT light bulbs with a socket that'll handle the heat. Great soft source and they're cheap as well as disposable.

Par Cans with par 64 globes- available in several globe patterns and wattages from 500 to 1200w. Indestructable and cheap cheap cheap, that's why every concert ever lit uses a ton of them. Check ebay. 8 for about $220+bail blocks to attach to stands+globes.

Mole Richardson makes open faced units similar to the lowel tota which use the same lamps but are much more durable and safer to operate. Type 2921 Nooklite. Barn doors are additional.

vinny

[lenser]

Can't speak for the Alien bees as I've not used them, but I've got several old White Lightning Ultras and two of my friends have Ultra Zaps that I have used with no sign of failures in tens of thousands of exposures. I have had a couple of mine upgraded, and replaced one flash tube that I broke.

Not only are they incredibly reliable, Paul C. Buff makes them in Nashville and has both extremely fast turnaround for repairs (less than a week including shipping) and a warranty that is more than generous (three years I think).

[Ron Marshall]

oops alienbees...any seconds?

If they are going to see hard use I would recommend White Lightnings instead of the Alien bees.

I have WL, and bought an AB to make a comparison, then returned it.

The rear rim of the WL protrudes to protect the controls, the sync cord plug is much heavier duty on the WL and the switches are better built.

Nothing wrong with the AB, but the WL will stand up to abuse much better.

[Greg Lockrey]

2nd Lowels.