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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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