Now that I've removed myself from "expert" status, which I'm not, here are two threads that talk about the z96, pretty popular these days at $140 per panel..

www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=4&MessageID=770991
www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=4&MessageID=775574

The Z96 is an excellent light, I'm paying around USD80 for them buying in bulk which reminds me, time to order more.

For lighting a full height green screen though, they are the wrong light.
Given that the screen is "in-house" and the lighting kit doesn't have to travel, for the cost of two Z96s you can solve the screen lighting and then some.

All that's needed are the basic bare tube 4' fluro lights that you can buy from any hardware store or electrical wholesaler. I just bought the twin tube ones for AUD 25 each.Throw the tubes that come with them away and buy the better "cool white" tri-phosphor ones. Osram tubes are pretty decent.

While you're at the hardware store buy some "tool clips", about 50 cents each. You fix these to the back of your fluro lights so you can clip them onto any vertical stand, even an old Standard Lamp you can pickup of the kerb will do or you can buy light stands cheaply these days. You don't need to spend a lot on the stands, they're not going on the road and they'll not be holding much weight. If things get hectic in the studio a couple of sandbags might be a good idea.

All that remains to fit a 3 core flex and plug to your fluro lights. With them on the stands, just out of shot and aimed at the screen you will get decent lighting very cheaply. Now you may get some splill but it's very easy to add some baffles to those lights. Just cardboard will do or foamcore, anything really. You only need gaffe tape to hold it on and it'll fit behind the tube(s).

If you want to get fancy you can spend a little bit more and buy the fluro lights with "electronic" ballasts. These are becoming more common today and cheaper too.

One other tip. Fluro lamps come in different sizes. The standard one we've been using in our homes for decades are "T8", the thinner ones now becoming popular are "T5". These are not interchangeable and the "T5" lamps require electronic ballasts. The number after the "T" is the diameter in eights of an inch.

This should go without saying. If you're not familiar with how to fit a mains plug to a flex / cord, get someone who is to do it. Make certain the flex is well secured inside the light. Fit grommets or glands to any holes that the flex passes through.

One of these days I'll do a YouTube video on how to make these lights but it is pretty simple and once you have the parts in your hand self evident.

Bob.

I almost forgot... read Keith Kolbo's excellent article on inexpensive chroma key lighting. It has additional details on Bob's suggestion of using shop fluros:

Chroma Key Techniques for Tight Budget Productions

~jr

and +1 on the Z96 panels for cost effectiveness for general indoor lighting.
I am currently using 8 of them, arranged as 2 quad panels on two cheap flash tripods. With DIY power cables and everything fits into a neat bag. Complete with a selection of effect gels, and using the Z96's own CTO and diffuser fronts, you get a pretty useful system for not a lot of money.
But as pointed out, these are not really suitable for green screen 'even wash'. But as general purpose lights - really good. Can post images of the setup if anyone is interested.

Paul.

Please do post Paul.
Thx,
Tom

Thanks, everyone. You have given me a lot of things to think about and to make my decision..

"Osram tubes are pretty decent."

Echoes something I mentioned a few years back.
Osram Studioline and GE Cinema are kind of the go-to products in this area (one or the other; don't mix the two on one set), and there are others including CF bulbs.
Studios of all kinds, photo labs, frame shops, galleries, even boutiques, to name a few. They're good enough to shoot under with auto WB in most nonscientific settings. Turn them on and off only once a day, and never on a dimmer. Much easier on the phosphors than on-off every 15 minutes. This is one niche where I have a little expertise.

in aus. there's sylvania (osram) who do a specialized triphosphor especially for photography - 5.5k*

i bought in bulk for the studio - great, perfect whites with both nikon and sony cameras set to daylight (with fill from z96's).

*studiolynx / cinemalynx

*studiolynx / cinemalynx
I'm thinking that might be an offshore (German?) branding, Leslie. Maybe 50 hz version of Studioline?

you could well be right. either way they're great for studio lighting* - perfect colour temp / low heat / hardly use any power (once started!).

here's the spec .pdf http://www.osram.com/appsinfo/pdc/pdf.do?cid=GPS01_1028347&mpid=ZMP_56322&vid=EU_ALL_eCat&lid=EN

Yeah, that's what I first mentioned above, Studioline. Used 'em by the thousands since the early 1970's. You said "Studiolynx" which made me wonder if we were talking about the same thing. I suspect we are, since the term brings up no hits on the US website.

more than likely....

when i had my studio we were buying 'studiolynx' which were a single connector (sort of u-tube shaped) and fitted into a single plug.

the studioline we're using now in the studio (artist rather that tv ;-)) are simple floro tubes. either way they're great.

i actually bought a really cheap lighting kit to use on talking heads when i go on location very similar to this https://www.dragonimage.com.au/LightPro-Lanturn-Daylight-Balanced-Kit-2-Head-Lighting-Kit.html
i certainly wouldn't say it was well built, but i'm an old fart and look after stuff so i'm not too worried about flimsiness anymore.

of course now i'd buy a cheap led system instead. just love my z96's (courtesy bob!) but would have to have much more throw....

So would most of us old pitchers . . .
(Sorry, couldn't resist!)

;-p

Ok, here are some images of my DIY lighting pack:

Bag top layer:


Bag middle layer:


Bag bottom layer with tripods:


Power distribution at back of panels 4 x 2.5mm plugs into one single 4pin XLR.


With CTO's:


Extra diffusion if needed, this is white baking paper from a food shop:


Home made barn doors using metal black rap. The magnets hold it in place:


Barn doors with diffusion:


With blue gel for effect, also held by magnets:


I got the blues:


Paul.

Another vote for Z96s. I absolutely love mine, and rarely use anything else. They work really well for augmenting natural light.

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