Customer Reviews

PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO CONTINUOUS LIGHTING UMBRELLA KIT + Free 27 Watts 5500K Fluorescent Photo Lamp Bulb

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

When the package arrived, it said "Photography Eqipment" on the box. The missing "u" from "equipment" made me worry. Opening up the box, I found everything packed quite nice. However, all the screws in the frame were completely rusted. I've replaced them myself instead of going through the hassle of dealing with this company. I have since used this for 10 studio portrait shoots with varying degrees of success. For adults portraits, this set produces adequate light (I purchased 2 and use one as a main light and one as a fill light), but for shooting high energy children it isn't powerful enough unless you shoot at a higher ISO and risk a grainy photo.

I was impressed with the quality of materials and construction of each component. However, it seems that the components were not originally designed specifically for one another. The light holder, for instance, is designed to mount on the top of a metal shaft by means of a screw clamp. But the top of the light stand has a screw that points upward, and the only way I could determine to mount the holder is by clamping it onto the threads of the stand's screw -- it cannot be positioned lower, onto the shaft, where it would be more appropriate. It works, but not optimally. In another instance, the shaft of the umbrella is constructed of lightweight tubular steel. It is held in position by another screw clamp on the light holder. But when clamping it down, the screw will easily crush the tubular steel. I overcame this problem by temporarily removing the aluminum cap at the bottom of the umbrella's shaft and inserting a 15" long, 1/4" diameter wooden dowel into the tube. I can now apply adequate pressure to satisfactorily secure the umbrella.
You might gather from these problems that I don't recommend this purchase, but actually I'm quite happy with it. Compared to other sets, it's an amazing value. The use of color-balanced compact florescent bulbs makes a lot of sense (unless you require intense illumination). And the entire package is very compact.
If you're a professional photographer with an array of lighting options, this set probably isn't for you. But if, like me, you just need a simple, inexpensive way to light your subjects, this is probably as good a product as you'll find for the price!

My light arrived today, and I was very pleased with what I got. The build quality isn't stellar, but hey based on the price I'd say anyone who complains is a fool. I was actually surprised by how solid it felt. Even though the stand isn't solid metal, it doesn't feel like it's going to break on me any time soon.

The thing I like most about this light is that it doesn't put out a noticeable amount of heat! The heat is always an issue with continuous lighting sources, as you don't want your subject to be uncomfortable. I personally worked in a studio for two years where we used three large soft boxes, and if we left them on for a 15 minute shoot it felt like standing on the sun. This light doesn't have nearly as much power as that set-up but it's perfect for fill light in portraits or even as a primary light.

It does the job very well and I have been immensely pleased with the photos I've taken with it so far. I would make this purchase again in a heartbeat. You really can't beat this deal.

This product works as well as expected for the money. It is good for a little fill light-- what I needed for a recent product shoot. Light stand is very, very flimsy and cheap.

Customer service from the seller is AWFUL. The light stand arrived broken and rusted (obviously a used product, even though it was advertised as "new"), I sent them an email, they replied almost two weeks later and said they would have to file a claim with the shipper (which is ridiculous, considering the packaging was sound-- obviously they sent me a bum light stand. I've not heard anything since, nor have I received a replacement light stand.

I would not recommend buying from this seller.

I wanted something that worked. Something that was inexpensive. Something that would let me experiment with studio lighting techniques. This product is all of that, but there's one big problem: it's not nearly bright enough. 26w fluorescent bulbs are, what, equal to a 100w incandescent bulb? That's not enough. You'll be using the window light and cranking your ISO up higher than you imagined necessary on a supposedly lighted shot.

if you're excited about this product, I recommend spending another few bucks to get something with a little higher wattage.

Nice, simple and adjustable light. Not heavy-duty/pro construction, but good for a small home studio.

I have always been into photography and lately want to expand my goals. This simple and cheap lighting kit was something I wanted to check out with the fact that I could experiment because it was so cheap. This review is being written from my second purchase of the lighting kit. I was unsure of the low wattage bulb that was offered with it but it, along with the umbrella kit is just fine. I purchased a background stand from here as well and now with this equipment...I need to upgrade my camera!!!

Arrived on time and as promised. Pretty easy to assemble, with a few exceptions, mainly because the package contains no instructions, not even the little IKEA-type pictograms. So when you go to attach the light to the stand, you're on your own. Mine waited until I was in the middle of a photo session with some high-value vintage china and then the lamp, lamp socket and control, and umbrella all jumped off the stand and onto the china. Maybe it was due to that one piece of hard plasticized nylon mounted on the business end of the stand when I unpacked it, for which I could find no use if I wanted to attach the light to the stand, and which I keep just in case I have a "Eureka" moment at some point and understand its function.

But assuming you get it set up properly, the stand, in particular, works very well. Often at this level of pricing the equipment is shoddy, way too flimsy for a actual use, because it will invariably fall over just before the shutter clicks. So I was surprised and gratified to find this well-made and of good quality materials. Even the umbrella was of a nice quality and with sturdy connections and components.

But the light emitted and reflected back onto your subject by this set is very dim and of almost no use unless you are able to position it within a foot or so of the subject, which can actually be done for my purposes because I shoot vintage items and materials usually less than 12" x 12". I doubt a portrait subject would sit still for a light in such close proximity, especially since the light and the glowing umbrella would be right there in the middle of the picture. A moment between you and your reflector kit preserved forever.

The glow from the light, bouncing off the umbrella and back toward the object/subject, is a very pleasing soft white, and will, I imagine, serve to soften shadows and provide a little bounce-fill. But it really does not emit a light powerful enough to be used as front fill and illumination, even though that would probably be its main function, supplemented, as in my rig, with two soft-boxed side lights.

So unless you get this light really close to your subject, you are gonna need more light.

Underexposed and underwhelming.

I received package with the broken bulb (no protection on this item).
After I sent an email to them, they immediately reshipped the broken item
to me w/o question. Good service !

I have to say that I was slightly skeptical of this product before I ordered it. The reviews seem mixed and the price on it was pretty inexpensive, but I went ahead and ordered it and I am SO glad that I did. The Umbrella Light Kit arrived in about a week and it is a well-made product that was easy to put together. The only downside is the free bulb that is included is way too dim to take pictures with, so I just ordered 2 new photo bulbs. Other than that minor thing, it's great for a home studio where you need some extra lighting. It even includes a handy on/off switch so that you don't have to unplug it from the wall everytime.