Stumbled onto this

[dave sparks]

I was having a look at dvinfo.net and dvxuser.com lighting forums and found this. Don't know if anyone posted something like this before but thought it was neathttp://shuttertalk.com/articles/diylighting

[hawk911]

It should also include a portable AC unit, and fire extinguisher. That setup will get hot- VERY HOT!

[GSansoucie]

Wow, I like the replacement bulbs and the test images at the end of the article. Yes, these are very hot lights, but they are cheap too. . .

I'm sticking with my strobes for now though.

Thanks for the link.

[dave sparks]

Yeah, the hot lights are cheap and well hot. I was looking more at the flash diffuser.

[TMR Design]

Sure. It's been done and posted in various configurations many times before. You can certainly learn about lighting and get a feel for setting custom white balance, etc BUT those lights get extremely hot, not just to the touch but for your subject(s). It's no fun having someone in front of those lights for more than a few minutes at a time.

Also, despite the heavy duty stand, it is still considered an outdoor work light and if you're going to use them inside please take great care in the footing, the placement of power cords and be observant or people and pets that may be nearby.

I'm not saying not to use or try them but most people move on very quickly from there after realizing that it's just not the best way to go. In my opinion, if you want to do the DIY lighting thing on the cheap then get some compact fluorescent fixtures and clamp about 4 or 6 100w or 150w bulbs to a stand and start playing that way. They run cool, use hardly any energy, produce a better light than those halogens and you'll be able to work around them safely.

My 6 cents.

[TMR Design]

It should also include a portable AC unit, and fire extinguisher. That setup will get hot- VERY HOT!

Exactly Hawk. I replied before reading your post. :D

[dave sparks]

Uh, guys, I was talking about the perspex flash diffuser :)

[hawk911]

well, next time day that ;) All I saw was HOT lights and left quickly before I got burned.

[dave sparks]

Yeah, my bad didn't think of it till now :)

[John_TX]

FWIW: I've used those work lights for non-photo purposes and can only caution anyone using them.
They get HOT!
You WILL get burned if you brush up against one that's been on.
The power cord will melt if you pack up the light before allowing it time to cool.
These lights will melt and/or catch fire to anything they come into contact with (carpet, drapes, curtains, cords, screens, clothing, pets, body parts). The lights also produce a tremendous amount of UV and can physically cause a sun-burn if used too close for too long of periods.