Summary: <br> <br> <br> Most podcast and YouTube videos will look a lot better with better lighting. Here's a cheap lighting kit that works great with any DSLR or camcorder setup, puts out really bright light, and costs under $200!<br> The is really the same as the . Notice the model number similarities? But the Fancierstudio label is $10 under ePhoto's identical kit.<br> This cheap lighting kit has three lights and puts out 3,800 watts of light for only $169.99 ($10 more for the ePhoto one). You get a carrying case, two large softboxes, and one smaller softbox for an overhead hair light.<br> Low build quality (expected)<br> The build quality is quite low on this cheap kit, with a lot of plastic and thin aluminum. The carry case doesn't make much sense because these lights would take a very long time to disassemble and re-assemble. So don't plan to travel with these lights; they work best staying in your studio.<br> Versatile lighting gear<br> Each softbox holds five CFL bulbs. The kit includes 60-watt, 5500 K (daylight) bulbs for each softbox. Because CFL can't be dimmed, the five bulbs have independent switches, letting you control how much light is cast based on the number of bulbs.<br> The 3,800-watt kit includes a third softbox, designed for as an overhead hair light. It holds four 45-watt bulbs. This light has two light switches, each controlling two of the four bulbs. To make the hair light more stable, the kit comes with a heavy-duty stand, boom arm, hook, and counterweight bag (fill it with your own weights).<br> Alternatively, you can get the for three of the same softboxes and 4,500-watt output for $199.99.<br> I chose this cheap lighting kit for myself because of its versatility, light output, and affordability. I can use the hair light either overhead, or mount it horizontally to use as a third softbox.<br> More light for a lower cost<br> The closest alternative is the , which is built a little nicer, but cost almost 50% more and outputs only 60% as much light as the .<br> If you want bright, versatile lighting at an affordable price to enhance your YouTube or podcast videos, consider either the , or the .<br> A little caution with this cheap lighting kit<br> My first order was missing a part and had a wrong light stand. So make sure you have everything you were supposed to get. If you have problems, Amazon's customer service will be far more helpful than Fancierstudio's.<br> But for a bright, cheap lighting kit, I think this Fancierstudio option will work great, whether you're video-podcasting or making video on YouTube.<br>
