Customer Reviews

CowboyStudio AC Socket & Cord Set with Umbrella Holder and Light Stand Mount

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This works well when paired with a PBL FLUORESCENT 85 WATT 5100K DAYLIGHT BULB by PBL for providing a nice source for constant light. This can be preferred to using a flash, for example, when photographing children or some pets. It also provides much better results than a flash when shooting video :*) .

It's very reasonably priced, sits nicely on your light stand, holds an umbrella securely, and comes with a nice long cord and convenient switch.

For the price, it's worth having one on hand for when you need light and your flash decides to stop working. Or, like I suggested above, as a low cost way for converting your portrait setup to something which allows you to light a video.

Bought 2 of these thru Amazon, one is the Cowboy studio brand, the other Adorama. The Adorama was called heavy duty. Because it was from different locations, I had to pay separate shipping and handling. When the products arrived, they are identical; probably made by the same manufacturer and sold under diff brand names. As soon as I added the 4 bulb adapter, and added the bulbs, it became top heavy and adjustable angle part flipped down with the weight. This happens no matter how tight I adjust the lever. Almost broke the expensive 85W CFL's. IT WILL COST HALF THE PRICE I PAYED TO RETURN, SO DEF. NOT WORTH RETURNING.
Just a rip off plastic item. I am just stuck with these I guess. Just going to make my own. Amazon should evaluate the merchandise they sell.

These light stand mounts are great - inexpensive, mount to standard light stands, have an umbrella holder. With a good reflective umbrella and a compact fluorescent bulb you get a really good soft light setup for the low budget filmmaker. I already had two of these and love them, got two more for backup. I would recommend NOT using incandescent bulbs - these things are plastic and the heat from the bulb might damage them. But the big CFLs work great for me. Look for the new style large CFLs that provide equivalent of 150 to 300 watt incandescent.

I have purchased 5 with this item, all 5 have broken down the minute you tighten the bulb in its' light bulb screw. The metal part inside the enclosure comes loose & there is no way to replace it. I am putting all 5 of these & hop0efully they will take them back

Not often do I look at a light socket and say, Nice design. But, this is a really nice piece of equipment. Sturdy construction, nice on/off switch, very accommodating umbrella holder, well thought-out lightstand coupling. The killer was a very long cord. For the first time I've got a socket which doesn't require an extension cord. I'm using this with CFL bulbs for constant light which easily allows bounce or shoot-thru with an umbrella.

I've experience two serious failures with this product. The set screw at the lower interface uses a recessed hex nut to secure itself to the product. This has popped loose. This is a nuisance fault but does make it difficult to secure the product to a light stand.

Additionally the metal threaded insert in the light socket has come loose. This part provides both the electrical and structural interfaces between the unit and the light. This failure has rendered the device inoperable.

It's clear to me (an engineer) that the design & manufacture of this item indicates poor understanding of metal-plastic bonding techniques.

Save your money.

I wanted to buy four of these units but they charge nearly $5 per unit to ship !
So, it's just not worth it.
That's why I gave it two stars.