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

  • main: Aputure amaran 200x ($349)
  • secondary: Aputure amaran 100d ($199)
  • portable: Smallrig RC-60B ($199 $169)

Accents

  • panels: Aputure MC Pro ($199 for one, $1899 for 8-light kit w/ charging case)
  • 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

  • under $100: Aputure Light Dome SE ($99)
    • smaller: Apurture Light Dome Mini SE ($69)
  • upgrade: Aputure Light Dome III ($219)
    • smaller: Aputure Light Dome Mini III ($129)

The Light Dome III and Mini III have a quick release to collapse, the SE and Mini SE do not

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