Could someone look at this and let me know

[miraroadvolfire]

Is this used kit worth it, also the lady will help show me how they work to take portraits.

Does anyone know where I can find a picture of these lights I can seem to find one....

2 x 100 watt studio flash heads with bulbs
2 x 7 feet light stands
umbrella
soft box
barn door
honey comb filter
coloured filters
studio carring case
extra fuses

$350.00

Thank you

[miraroadvolfire]

The kit is 1 year old....

[zona5101]

not enough information...what brand are the lights? And they are indeed strobes not continuous lights?

[scootermcq]

Does not really matter, bottom line is no... it is not worth it. 100 w/s strobes are really low power, but will do the job indoors for a single subject. They will work well for hair or background lights. The big problem is the cost. I could buy (in no name brand) a pair of 200 w/s strobes plus stands & umbrellas etc... for $250 brand new

[miraroadvolfire]

I live in Nova Scotia, could please let me know where I can buy --

What you for that price.

(I could buy (in no name brand) a pair of 200 w/s strobes plus stands & umbrellas etc... for $250 brand new)

[scootermcq]

I usually get the Chinese stuff from David at Studio 98 in Kitchener, ON. He has been good to me and the stuff has performed flawlessly. It is also nice that when you are only paying $50 for a stobe if it gets knocked down at a wedding or in the wind outdoors, you really don't care. I just checked his listings on Ebay, and it looks like he is out of stock of the smaller stuff, but here is a similar set in Brampton, ON with Free shipping so you would only be paying $285 inlcuding shipping, no duty and get 3 180w/s lights including softboxes etc.....
http://cgi.ebay.ca/540W-STROBE-STUDI...item3cb7099e9a

[scootermcq]

Just to give you an idea...

This was lit with cheap chinese 180 w/s strobes. 1 main, 1 fill, 1 hairlight & 1 background each firing about 1/8th power.

EXIF:
Camera Nikon D300
Exposure 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture f/6.3
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 200

[miraroadvolfire]

Your the first person to say buy these type of lights and everyone else I have talked to said don't.

Do you need a battery pack or do they plug into the wall.

Where do you buy replacement bulbs for them or fuses if they have them.

What kind of set ups do you do with them.

Do you use them for inside and outside or just studio work..


Thanks

[scootermcq]

They plug into a wall, so you do not need a battery for indoor work

I don't buy replacement bulbs, although I am sure someone will sell them. A bulb is a minimum of $35+ and these are only $50-60. To me they are disposable (besides that, bulbs last years). Fuses you can buy at Radio Shack etc.

You can do any lighting set up you wish....

I use them outside with a battery pack (but this can be akward and alot to carry) or inside and for studio

I suggest these for a few reasons:

1. They do the job on a budget
2. They do what they are supposed to do
3. They are disposable.... I am not living in paranioa about my $500 - $1000 head
4. They are cheaper than a flash & have 1 stop more light than any high end flash out there
5. I have worked with much higher end lights and at the end of the day, I can't tell a difference. (Saying that, the softboxes that come with these type of kits are not usually as good and that I can tell the difference on)
6. I would rather spend all the extra money on glass
7. They have the same functions as any studio light (modeling, adjustable power, optical sensor etc)

If you are running a high end studio, then I would not suggest these simply because they don't have a "professional" statement about them, and the rest of the kit is light duty, but darnit they do the job, do it well and who knows where you are going to go at the end of all this. For home use & friends and family, they are great. I have upgraded other things over time (stands & modifiers), but I see no reason to buy a better strobe, except for more power for outdoor work and then I still buy off brand. If one of my heads was miss firing or had a premature death, it might change my song but they keep going.

Downside to these kits are usually the stands & softboxes are fairly cheap and I have bought better of both separately. The optical sensors do not turn off, so if you are using the lights where someone else will be using a flash, you need to tape them over with electrical tape.

Bottom line is you can spend a Grand on a similar kit at Henry's and maybe never use it and watch all that money collect dust before finally selling it for $500 or you can get a kit like this for less than $300 and if you never use it, who cares or sell it for $350 like the person in your original post

edit:

My friend has this kit and it is nicer looking, has better mounting, feels more solid and Bowens is a known name. The replacement bulbs are $100.00. When I work with it vs Chinese, they both produce what appears to me to be the same consistent light, so to me, it is a question if name, looks & feel is worth $700 (or and you give up 1 light and accessories although the stands are much sturdier) http://www.henrys.ca/12880-BOWENS-GE...-KIT-2009.aspx

[miraroadvolfire]

I would like to thank you very much for the infomation you provided. As I am just starting out I think you just helped me 150% with your reply. I want to use them for taking pictures of members of my fire hall, hockey players I coach, school kids I drive everyday etc. Yes and I want to get paid for taking them..lol

I hope to talk with you again for help on how to use them and set my camera up for taking portraits.

I use a Nikon D5000.

Thanks again for your great advice.