Customer Reviews

KT750U 750-Watt Thrifty Photoflood Kit

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

So I've used this kit for a couple of shoots, and here are my observations:


Pros
* Very inexpensive way to get into lighting
* Once you've put it together, simple to break down, move, and setup fairly quickly.

Cons
* Absolutely no instructions for assembly, whatsoever. While its not rocket science, there we some moments that I would have liked some instruction. However, once you get the first light together, subsequent ones are simple.
* Cheap materials and/or poorly tapped screw holes makes it impossible to fix one of the lamps into position (horizontal, not vertical).
* Umbrellas are (as you can see in the pic) translucent, so a lot of the light hits the rest of the room, limiting your control of lighting. On the converse, I have also used the unit reverse, lighting the subject through the umbrella, which works nicely for other shots.

Suggestions to purchasers:
* Find a suitcase to carry/store the kit in. I think a cheap hard plastic case (greater than 18" in length) would work well. I ended up buying a soft sided tote suitcase from Walmart for $25.
* Use velcro straps to secure the power cable to the stand, otherwise the cables hang out and can get you tripped up.
* Purchase extra bulbs, you can't get these at walmart! :) These are special color-corrected bulbs.
* Recommend a dimmer for each unit (I imagine you could get a generic dimmer from any electronics store that would work).

I've only used this once so far and it worked as I expected. Not pro duty but it gets the job done. I like the third light. Original bulbs are still working but I will most likely replace them with higher wattages if the fixtures will accept them. If I had a wish I'd wish this came with a carry bag. I would have even paid more for this if it had a bag.

This is a great lighting kit, but, I would recommend buying two 500 watt bulbs.

This starter set gives me enough lighting to create beautiful pictures. Easy to setup and breakdown. Would have given it 5 stars if it had come with a bag. I am storing everything in the packaging box. God value. Light bulbs that came with it all but one burnt out, so I purchased new ones from a local camera store. No problems since.

I received these as a gift and as a high end amateur photographer, I was very impressed. The construction is pretty low (one of the umbrellas was stripped before I took it out of the box) but if you can handle a fairly flimbsy set up, the light is FANTASTIC. I'd highly recommend for a photographer who wants lights but won't use them all the time. Works a heck of a lot better than a few desk lamps! :)

Compact flouresecent bulbs will not fit this fixture unless you order special CF's with extended bases. Other than that, it can't be beat for the price and quality. Adorama Rocks!

Just a couple of comments. First is that the pivots on the lights are pretty cheap. They do not fasten together, but are rather just held in place by a bolt, with a hand adjustment knob. Loosen that knob too much, and the whole stack of cards crumbles. The entire pivot assembly will come right apart.

Second is that the lights themselves as much as REQUIRE barn doors for any video shooting. They cast such a huge radius of bright white light, that they're pretty overpowered for mood lighting out of the box. Pretty good for interviews though.


That said, I'm pretty happy with them for the price. The value is really in the stands, as they are really sturdy and well constructed - even better than the ones my school uses. You could pick up some cheap work lights from Menards or Home Depot, and achieve the same lighting effect you get with these, but you will be without stands or diffusers. So base your purchase on how much you need the stands, rather than the lights themselves.

I essentially expected junk, but received a truly sharp, sturdy, easy-to-assemble lighting kit. I am very pleased with my purchase.

I rate this product as 4/5 because the way they packed and the quality of the materials.

One of the Aluminum Reflectors, I believe that's what it called, got a minor damage from the side due to poor packaging.

The quality of the umbrellas silk is not worth the price it posted.

However, the lights are very bright and I like it.

Overall, the product is ok but the quality and packaging are not worth the price it posted.

I knew what to expect for the price. I don't have much money but needed lighting for certain things.
*Hard to put together
*Great lighting
*Easy portable due to light weight
*No bag for transportation

The only really bad thing about this kit are the umbrellas. I would not recommend this kit because of the umbrellas. The knobs came off after 5 minutes. Three knobs of one umbrella were off within a day. Other knobs of the other umbrella popped off within the next week. Make sure to purchase extra umbrellas if you are interested in a soft lighting - because I can guarantee you that the knobs are going to pop off within few days and that means that the fabric of the umbrella is going to come off.

I still gave it two stars due to the fact that the lighting itself is a great buy and I am happy with it and the results of my photography.