Lighting and Effects

Flashes

• budget + tiny: Godox iM30 Mini ($35)
• cheap + lightweight
  • under $100: Godox TT350 ($99)
  • under $200: Godox V350 ($159)
• standard
  • under $150: Godox TT685II ($129)
  • under $250: Godox V860III ($229)
• upgrade: Godox V1 ($259)

Video Lights

• daylight
  • 60W: amaran 60d ($169)
    • metal body + focusing lens: Aputure LS 60d ($299)
  • 100W: amaran 100d ($199)
  • 200W: amaran 200d ($299)
• bi-colour
  • 60W: amaran 60x ($199)
    • metal body + focusing lens: Aputure LS 60x ($419)
  • 100W: amaran 100x ($249)
  • 200W: amaran 200x ($349)
• colour
  • 150W: amaran 150c ($359)
  • 300W: amaran 300c ($569)

Accents

• panels:
  • around or under $100 per light
    • bi-colour: amaran Ace 25x ($69, $95 for kit w/ case + accessories)
    • colour: amaran Ace 25c ($99, $125 for kit w/ case + accessories)
  • under $200 per light: Aputure MC Pro ($199 for one, $1899 for 8-light kit w/ charging case)

The MC Pro is better built and has an IP65 rating, but the amaran Ace 25c is 5x brighter. To achieve this, the amaran Ace 25c has a fan (which makes noise) whereas the MC Pro does not. The MC Pro can also be charged in a case, whereas the amaran Ace 25c cannot.

• tubes: Nanlite Pavotube T8-7X ($95 for one, $398 for 4-light kit)
• bulbs: Aputure B7C ($70 for one, $799 for 8-light kit w/ charging case)

Softboxes

• standard
  • under $100: amaran Light Dome 90 ($99)
    • smaller: amaran Light Dome 60 ($79)
  • over $100: Aputure Light Dome III ($219)
    • smaller: Aputure Light Dome Mini III ($129)
• rectangular (30x120): amaran Light Box 30x120 ($72) / Aputure Light Box 30x120 ($69)
• rectangular (60x90): amaran Light Box 60x90 ($79) / Aputure Light Box 30x120 ($66)
• rectangular (45x45): amaran Light Box 45x45 ($69) / Aputure Light Box 30x120 ($59)
• omnidirectional
  • under $100: amaran Lantern 90 ($99)
  • over $100: Aputure Lantern 90 ($139)

Accessories

• c-stands: Cheetahstand C12 / Kupo / Matthews ($ depends on size + model)
• reflectors + diffusers: 5-in-1 bounce reflectors/diffusers

Effects

• fog machine
  • cheaper: Chauvet DJ Hurricane 1200 ($149) / 1600 ($219) / 1800 ($349)
  • upgrade: Antari HZ-100 / HZ-350 / HZ-500 / HZ-1000
• snow: snow bags
• bubbles: Antari W-101