If you are like me, you want to be as self-contained when traveling as possible. I dislike checking in my valuable gear and praying that it is there when I arrive or waiting on baggage. For less than the cost of a decent camera body a carry-on pro lighting kit can be assembled. The availability of high CRI LED lights at low costs now makes this possible.

Most of these lights use NP style batteries. They are the same as my monitors. I carry those with the camera. I use house electric whenever possible to avoid wrangling batteries. When working with a partner we place the lighting in one carry on and the camera & sound in another. Our personal stuff goes under the seat.  This works great for shorter trips.

    • 1- Kamerar Brightcast 12”x12” Flex LED bi-color (CRI 95) $400.
    • 1- D-Fuse 18”x18” Soft box with grid $60.
    • 1- Came TV Boltzen 30-Watt Fresnel daylight LED (CRI 96) $258.
    • 2- Youngnuo Pro LED 5”x7” Bi-color (CRI daylight 95 Tungsten 98) $31 x 2 $62.
    • 2- Aputure Amaran on-camera LED daylight (CRI 98) $45 x 2 $90.
    • 5- Manfrotto Nano stand $58 x 5 $290.
    • 4- Matthew Mini grip head $24 x 4 $96.
    • 2- Matthews arm 20” (B&H MAA20) $12. x 2 $24.
    • 1- Matthews Road Rags kit 18” x 24” $239.
    • 2- Oben mini ball heads $14 x 2 28.
    • 2- Duvetyne 54” x 36” & 54” x 60” $30.
    • 1- Small roll gaffer’s tape (B&H PRGT12B) $6.
    • 3- 15’ 2 prong (flat “zip cord” style to save space) extension cord $6 x 3 $18.
    • 2- Triple taps $5 x 2 $10.
    • 6- Small metal clamps $5.
    • 9- Small plastic clamps $10.
    • 1- Kamerar 5-In-1 collapsible grip reflector $28.
    • 1- Vapur 1-liter water battle (light stand weight) $15.
    • 1- Table top tripod $20.
    • Misc. gels & black wrap $10.
    • Misc. clamps & hardware $50.
    • Carry-on travel luggage (weighs 7 lbs. or less and has 19” interior length to accommodate light stands) $100.

Kit weight 40 lbs. (maximum carry-on weight for most airlines)

Total cost under $1800.