Studio kit

justin24

What is your take on this?? Should I buy this or not?

http://www.discounttommy.com/Shop/Control/Product/fp/vpid/4013254/vpcsid/7420364/SFV/32282

ziggy53

What size are the accessories and what sizes do you need?

What brand is the flash unit?

Is the flash output what you need?

Is the flash output listed actual or "effective"?

Do the flashes have slave capability?

How tall are the light stands?

Are the light stands air cushioned? (Yes, that's very important.)

Are the flash tubes and modelling lights user/field replaceable?

How many power settings for the flash output?

Do the modelling light's output follow the flash output?

What warranty?

Sam

How could you wrong with this? Discount Tommy (says it all)..................you can buy photography stuff, kitchen stuff, pet stuff, popcorn machines.

OK seriously, we all want to save money and an add like this sure can look tempting.

If you are serious about getting studio lighting there are many options at various price points. I would consider the "Discount Tommy" lighting throw away stuff. meaning as long as it works long enough to get your moneys worth your OK, but you ain't gona get any tech support or replacement repair help.

One of the best bang for the buck in the lighting world is Paul C. Buff, Alien Bees.

Good solid products at a competitive price, with outstanding customer service and support.

Buy a little less now, higher quality, and add to it when you can.

Sam

justin24

Thanks Sam, I saw some Alien Bee's for about the same price.

ziggy53

I can also recommend Flashpoint II monolights sold by Adorama. You can get a decent 2-light kit with 9.5 foot air-cushioned stands, 2 - 42" convertible umbrellas, 1 - barn doors, 300Ws actual, 600Ws effective (each head), adjustable output with modelling lights that follow the power output, and enough compatible accessories to do serious work. The flash tubes are user replaceable and not too expensive and they are daylight balanced and have (some) UV filtration standard.

http://www.adorama.com/FP620MPWK.html

I have 2 of the 1800Ws Flashpoint monolights for my own use and I added some generic 36" x 36" softboxes, some larger umbrellas, including one 60" convertible umbrella and one 60" Softlighter.

I have used my lights in all sorts of circumstances including outdoor during daylight:



Bounced in a church (to give a very soft and smooth transition, left to right):



Home environment:

justin24

Thank you for all your help. I will defenitly decide between these or the Westcott lights

http://fjwestcott.com/

dannypa

er~Studio kit

refer http://www.linkdelight.com

you will save half of money

of course,You also have to have patience for shipping

justin24

dannypa wrote: »

er~Studio kit

refer http://www.linkdelight.com

you will save half of money

of course,You also have to have patience for shipping

Whats the turn around time? Im looking at building a set.

justin24

Found someone selling some of their Norman lighting equipment. picking it up next week.


Norman p1250
unit powers up to 6 flash heads

3 lh2000 flash heads, 2 with cooling fans
other accessories:
beauty dish
snoot
barn door get set
reflectors

ziggy53

justin24 wrote: »

Found someone selling some of their Norman lighting equipment. picking it up next week.


Norman p1250
unit powers up to 6 flash heads

3 lh2000 flash heads, 2 with cooling fans
other accessories:
beauty dish
snoot
barn door get set
reflectors

Do "Not" connect these directly to a modern camera. Nice old units but I believe you will find very high trigger voltage.

justin24

couldn't I just do a wireless sync with a pocket wizard to avoid the voltage problem?

ziggy53

justin24 wrote: »

couldn't I just do a wireless sync with a pocket wizard to avoid the voltage problem?

I am not familiar with Pocket Wizard's trigger voltage restrictions. I have used high trigger volt flashes with cheap 16 channel radio slaves and it was fine. Wein Peanut optical triggers work and I also use Wein Safe-Sync products and that's fine too.

Dan7312

From the Pockwizard spec's of some of their products it looks like they can handle up to 200 volts on the flash port, so it depends on what your lights produce. Have you checked with PocketWizard support, they might be familiar with the lights you are looking at?

justin24 wrote: »

couldn't I just do a wireless sync with a pocket wizard to avoid the voltage problem?

justin24

I was reading but will have to do a bit more digging but the LH2000's have built in Pocket wizard receivers.