MicrostockGroup
Microstock Photography Forum - General => Photography Equipment => Lighting => Topic started by: .shock on October 05, 2007, 08:00
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Hi,
in day/two I wish to buy some lighting system. Budget is about $900-1000.
Wish to make indoor and studio portrats, objects and etc...
Thank's.
.shock
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if they are available where you are you might like to have look at aliebees as they are at reasonable prices and said to be efficient source of light http://www.alienbees.com/ (http://www.alienbees.com/)
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has anyone try this sistem, and can someone tell me more about performance of this lighting kit...
http://www.amvona.com/?page=shop/flypage&view=1&product_id=3189
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can't say i have heard about those lights, but i second the vote for alien bees if you live in North America.
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This is my experience with them. (Not Alien Bees, the other one but I don't want to be slanderous).
You are asking for cheap lights, they have cheap lights. In every sense of the word. Cheap. I believe that they are mass produced in a basement in China and rebranded. I bought a continuous lighting kit from them and I swear it is a fire hazard. The casing for the power source became brittle and crumbled.
I took one light in for repair and Ron said "that light is total junk." I think that says it all, from the guy that repairs these photography equipment on a daily basis.
I must say though that their adverts look pretty slick on the new strobes. I've heard such good things about Alien Bees though, and it seems that they cater to their customers as well if you have any future trouble.
I still use the stands with that kit, although the springs went in 2 of 3 of them.
Oh, and you never pay Amvona price. They are an ebay business, not a storefront. You'll likely find the same product ebay.
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Forget Amvona, go for the Alien Bees.
Also, 300 Ws is not nearly enough power.
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Hi,
I was buy set with double Interfit 300w flash-heads, umbrelas, softboxes and etc...
Problem is that this flash-heads are maded for US electric power and it is 110/50v and european is 220/110v.
In local store I was find some electric transformator with 100w electric power. It is this enought and are this voltage safe for use?
Regards,
BA
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I have lots of Amvoa stuff that I got off Ebay for VERY cheap: reflectors, tripods, heads, muslins, softboxes.... I've had some of the stuff for over 3 years and they still work great. They're NOT top quality but they get the job done.
When I saw their flashes on Ebay I decided to give them a try. I got http://www.amvona.com/?page=shop/flypage&view=1&product_id=3189 (http://www.amvona.com/?page=shop/flypage&view=1&product_id=3189) for onyl $305! That covers the cost of the softbox and umbrella. :-)
Verdict: For the price I paid I got a really sweet deal! The tripods are solid but the springs feel loose. The 300W strobes work fine and recharge faster than I would of thought. 300W is more than enough power for studio work. I also have three 400W Aurora Genesis strobes (which cost $650 each) and I rarely go over 1/2 power. The softbox in the kit is well made like the other 3 softboxes that I already have from them (I got a lovely 5ft hexagonal for $65!). The case is solid, on the heavy side but with wheels, and well padded. It also comes with a wireless remote which I haven't tested because I already have mine. I have to say that I've only had the strobes for a few weeks now and I don't know how long they'll last but for that price who cares. I see it as having bought a nice cary case , a softbox and an umbrella and the strobes were free. ;D
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I recently bought the Alien Bees B800 as part of a starter kit that includes umbrella and stand. In the few weeks I've had it I have been using it for portraits and objects (isolated on white). It is excellent and I will be buying another kit from them soon. I would strongly recommend this, especially since they are so reasonably priced and have great customer service.
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Haven't bought lights yet, but the set kosmikkreeper bought shown at link http://www.amvona.com/?page=shop/flypage&view=1&product_id=3189 retailed for 780. The alienbees digital set at http://alienbees.com/digi.html retails for about $700. It is essentially the same kit at 400w.
Couldn't find much in the way of Bees on ebay, which may say something in itself.
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I don't have anything against kits, but from my experience anything less than 500W will only make you disappointed. My colleague insists that even 500W is to little effect. And seriously, think about the fire hazard - add some hundred bucks and buy quality - a fire would be a tragedy.
My 5 cents
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