Please help me with Studio light kit

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schastleveca

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Olena
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Hi, I have found on ebay 900W Flash Kit Photography Lighting Studio Strobe Light here is a link to this product http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180679316...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_5251wt_1237
Could any body tell me this set is was to by or its just waist of money?
I'm student photographer, beginner, and i was consider to by this set for my portraiture work because is so cheep, but in the same time I don't want to waist my money if this no good.
Or maybe some of you can recommend me a better set of light for my home studio.
Thanks very much for your time
 
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I used a set identical to this a couple of weeks ago and after around 4 hours shooting, one of the lights went up in a rather dramatic puff of smoke. They seemed okay whilst working for the money (although flash output noticeable varied between some shots), therefore I would not recommend them.

Luckily we were shooting in a large warehouse so the smoke dissipated quite quickly but the smell lingered for quite a while and would have been much worse in a domestic environment. You would be better off looking around and paying slightly more, there are plenty of suggestions on this site.
 
Hi,
There have been lots of similar threads with togs in the same position as yourself and its worth a quick search thro to see what others did!

My take is that as with all good kit you get what you pay for! However i would qualify that by adding that there is perfectly good kit at lower prices that will do the job. My opinion is that the ones on ebay are generally not of good quality.

I would look at Lencarta and second hand kits for starters. Put an ad in the 'wanted' section and take it from there.

Cheers,
Dunc
 
I had the very same kit, and one of my lights also went up in a puff of smoke a few weeks ago, I also found the output varied a bit, and could never get them down low enough, and ended up playing about with ND filters to get it right..I then purchased a couple of lencarta ep300's From garry and wished that's what I had done in the first place... infact just one lencatra strobe, softbox and reflector would be a good start...
 
Thanks everyone for your advice, I think I will by lencarta set in a month time as I will need a bit more money...
 
That's one of the best cheapo ebay sets. I have it, it works fine for me and has been for a year now. It's not a lifetime investment, it won't last for ages, but it's great for practising your studio skills. I get an increasing number of portrait jobs coming in these days so I am looking to upgrade to a Lencarta Elite Pro kit over the next few months. Intermittently, I've had no issues with that very set though and I wouldn't advise against it, just be prepared that it won't last you forever. I should note that I have never shot continuously for four hours though, so if that sort of shooting does kill these lights and you need them for such heavy use, I'd say save up for something better straight away.
 
Quanosaur said:
That's one of the best cheapo ebay sets. I have it, it works fine for me and has been for a year now. It's not a lifetime investment, it won't last for ages, but it's great for practising your studio skills. I get an increasing number of portrait jobs coming in these days so I am looking to upgrade to a Lencarta Elite Pro kit over the next few months. Intermittently, I've had no issues with that very set though and I wouldn't advise against it, just be prepared that it won't last you forever. I should note that I have never shot continuously for four hours though, so if that sort of shooting does kill these lights and you need them for such heavy use, I'd say save up for something better straight away.
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I'm glad it works for you, but can I give you a word of advice?
Never, ever leave it switched on when you're not present. Not even for a moment. When capacitors blow they can drip burning oil...

That advice applies to all flash units of all makes, because any make of flash can have a capacitor blow, but it's perhaps more important with some than with others.

And, if it happens to have the CE logo on it, don't assume that it actually means that it complies with EU safety standards. All that it actually means is that the factory has the logo and a bit of ink.
 
schastleveca said:
I think I will by lencarta set in a month time as I will need a bit more money...
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That's a good choice ;)

I'm just starting out in Event Photography & after quite a while researching the pro's & cons of various ebay kits I decided to buy this Lencarta setup, and I'm so glad I did. :thumbs:

It may not be the cheapest, but as I've read in so many places, you get what you pay for with studio lights..
 
Garry Edwards said:
I'm glad it works for you, but can I give you a word of advice?
Never, ever leave it switched on when you're not present. Not even for a moment. When capacitors blow they can drip burning oil...
Click to expand...

Yeah, I wouldn't do that. Anyone buying cheap should be aware that there are reasons for why these items are priced as low as they are. I'm aware that those units aren't built to any particularly great standard (which is why I am now looking to replace them with something more professional, as I anticipate more 'heavy use' in the future). They're a temporary solution. I'd recommend them only for people who have a bit of spare cash (but not enough for the good kits) and want to have a play around with studio flashes. They're not for serious use.
 
Most would accept that 200ws is more than adeqaute for most studio stuff. If you really need more power just increase your ISO by say a 100 and you double the power
 
Should I get a set of 3 with a different power, or they can be the same
I am totally confused, main light, fill light, ..... :thinking:
 
schastleveca said:
Should I get a set of 3 with a different power, or they can be the same
I am totally confused, main light, fill light, ..... :thinking:
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Good quality flash heads are adjustable for power, so get the same power for each head, and just adjust them to suit
 
I've now had a set (3) of 200w Smartflash units for a couple of years. I haven't had a single problem with them. They haven't had a great deal of use, but are consistent when used.
I would happily recommend Lencarta products. I will certainly be looking to upgrade within the Lencarta range. Don't see any reason not to.
I must try and get on one of Garrys courses if he's still doing them too!

Kev.
 
kevshore said:
I've now had a set (3) of 200w Smartflash units for a couple of years. I haven't had a single problem with them. They haven't had a great deal of use, but are consistent when used.
I would happily recommend Lencarta products. I will certainly be looking to upgrade within the Lencarta range. Don't see any reason not to.
I must try and get on one of Garrys courses if he's still doing them too!

Kev.
Click to expand...

Plus 1 for lencarta :)
 
the lencarta strobes are better than the neewer ebay ones.
but (as I tend to do) I have to defend them a bit as I use them quite a bit and they have been fine.
I've pointed out the negatives before, they are: non standard size, makes getting new modifiers tricky. they don't go low enough (probably to about 1/8 power).

on the upside they work well, seem sturdy enough and are totally useable for starting out :)

however.... if you can afford it go for lencarta, they are better and more useful for different situations.

I should say (again) those lencarta light stands are great, much better than the cheap ones, well worth the price.
 
Mrs just ordered my xmas gift all from Lencarta , nearly £500 yikes but looking forward to getting stuck into some potraits - iv heard good things so I thought why not. Buy once buy right or something like that!
 
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