Anyone use Photogenic monolights?

[mandyatm]

I got my first strobe yesterday, a Photogenic StudioMax III 320. I took some test shots with a reflector and so far it seems pretty amazing, but I don't have anything else to compare it to (other than the continuous lighting I was borrowing). I want to get one or 2 more strobes, and am not sure what brand. I haven't read much on Photogenic here. Would I be better off going with an AlienBees or another brand? And what wattage should I get to compliment the 320 I already have? I want to use it for fill through an umbrella probably. Thank you.

[111t]

320 is a good portrait power range. Why not get more of the same? The alienbees are nice as are the calumet genesis line. I personally have a photogenic pl2500dr which i use for brightening reception halls at weddings. I have 2 calumet genesis 400's and they're great! I consider them tools for different purposes though. The Powerlight is way to high powered for most portrait uses.

If you stick with 1 system, you'll be able to inter change modifiers such as softboxes, snoots and such. Also, if at some point you decide you want to have a spare flashtube around... you can only buy 1 and not have to worry about having ones for each brand of light.

Photogenic is a great company with a solid product from my experience. I compared it to a set of 400ws calumet lights and the savings for the calumet ones was slight. (basically stands and umbrellas for $9) If you already have stands then paying another $9 for stands and umbrellas is just excessive. I think having everything the same is worth the extra money to buy the stands and modifiers.

case in point:

CALUMET

(2 lights with stands and umbrellas for $619 compared to 2 studiomax for $628 for 2 heads by themselves.)

Of course, the genesis lights seem to be on indefinite backorder... so that might season your decision as well...

Does yours have the built in radioslave?