Lastolite HiLite any good ?

Ralphmyster

Ralphmyster

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Graham
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I have got a event next Saturday and space is a bit tight, question is do these work well ?. Thinking of putting a bottletop green over it, what light power do you shoot into it aswell ?.
Thanks
 
Although I can't help with a direct opinion, I say that across the net I've noticed that either you love them, or you truly hate them. But I suspect the people that hate them haven't mastered the technique in using them.
 
:love: I love mine!

I've never used a bottletop with it, only ever for high key shots but I only ever use one light on one side, directed slightly towards the back (it has a relective backing) which completely blows the whole thing nicely. I'm limited for space most of the time so it's ideal for me and if you follow the youtube video on how to put it away, rather than follow the offical instructions, it's easy!
 
I'm looking at this as well and noticed that on the video!! Having received some advice on here i' m probably going with 3 head flash kit, 2 to light the hilite and for the subject.
 
Ralphmyster said:
One light MMMMMMMMMMMMM I was sent a lastolite link but thought how strange a event photographer was using 6.
http://www.lastoliteschoolofphotography.com
Is the 6x7 big enough they used a 8x7 and still need to put flight cases under it.
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Never seen that video before but quite interesting. I have the standard 6x7 rather than the large one and the lastolite vinyl train which velcros on the bottom. I use one light inside the hi-lite where they are using two (but in the video it is the bigger version) and two lights on my subject. I do have the problem of the join showing on every image though and therefore have to do PP on any full length shots :thumbsdown:

Not sure you would have this problem with a bottletop at it is one piece?
 
Love mine and they pack away easily once you've got the hang of it. The bottle tops though are a pain to put on particularly without help. The vinyl train is a bit fiddly and as a previous poster mentioned needs a bit of pp to sort out. I've got the 6x7 and whilst you can get away with one light to light it 2 is better.
 
Markk said:
Although I can't help with a direct opinion, I say that across the net I've noticed that either you love them, or you truly hate them. But I suspect the people that hate them haven't mastered the technique in using them.
Click to expand...
I neither love them or hate them. Used well they can produce good results. Unfortunately most of the examples posted on the net seem to be the result of not using them well, with the background far to bright, resulting in flare and destroyed edge detail because of it.

I believe that the design, which sends the light directly towards the camera, is inherently flawed and that you can get good results more easily using white paper - but they are the best possible solution when space is tight, and perhaps the only solution.

Used well they can produce good results. Unfortunately most of the examples posted on the net seem to be the result of not using them well, with the background far to bright, resulting in flare and destroyed edge detail because of it.
 
Thats probably why they use 2 backlites to blow the seem out. seems a bit mad having to have to use 6 lights at a event not what I really want. With kids I want as little as possible equipment about, 1 key and 1 backlite would be ideal really.
 
Sure Garry made me giggle watching the link 2 stops wow, they reckon you can stand next to it at that . Thats what you call a blow out lol
 
mines good 7x8. 6x lights ....and in Woodville .........LOL
 
I have the hi-lite and as long as you use it properly it's pretty good for tight spaces, quick set up, and upper body shots. The bottle tops are straightforward to use too, they just velcro stick on.

Hi-lite is a b****r for full body shots though/children lying down etc. You can just do PP on the shots afterwards (you can see where the train attaches),but it's a bit of a pain to have to do it on loads if you have most of the people wanting to buy photographs, which is where a vinyl roll comes in brilliantly (which I love!).
 
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Used mine today for the first time and got to say the results for a complete novice were ok, I`ve had 3 people wanting their kids portraits done on the back of what was technically a test shoot, so quite happy. Its easy to setup and not too bad to put away.
 
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