Help with basic Studio stuff

[miikeboyle]

Hey guys,

Im wanting to learn more about studio photography.
ive found a kit i like: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... :IT&ih=026

Whats everyones opinion of this kit? Will it enable to take photos of objects and up to 2 people?
What parameters should i be looking for when buying studio equipment?

Thanks
Mike

[muzz]

Hi Mike,

Some of your questions have come up about similar kits on the forum. You may want to do a search for "Golden Eagle" and "Glanz" to get started.

Just a note, the auction states power supplies are 110V so you may want to sort that little hurdle out first. Also check the availability of globes - there has also been some discussion about that too.

[gstark]

Mike,

That is essentially the same as the Golden Eagle kits available through the forum, and the pricing, when you add in their shipping cost. will be the same. One point to be considered is that buying through the forum you are buying from somebody well known and trusted. I have some spare bulbs, and when buying from Poon, getting the 240V lighting kits is not an issue

They're ideal for small groups of people or small to medium product shots.

It's interesting that in their photos, they are showing the softboxes as if they're mounted on booms, which don;t come in the kits.

[darklightphotography]

I have had 2 of these for a couple of years now, and have had many issues. Mostly with either the flash capacitors overheating (smoke & flames), and with the slave socket failing and putting the strobe into rapid fire mode. Models seem to find these faults disconcerting for some reason. I ended up buying 300w Fotogen units that have performed flawlessly.

[gstark]

I have had 2 of these

Two of .... what ??? The ones in the ad? Golden Eagles? QiHe? Glanz?

I don't know that the ones in the ad are the Golden Eagles; they look to be similar, but the quoted brand name is different. There have been several different ones mentioned so far in this thread, and I think that it might be helpful to be a little more specific if at all possible.

[miikeboyle]

Thanks for the replys, I remember checking out the golden eagles a while ago but was turned off a little mainly due to the substantial price rise. I understand that its because of the fall out of our economy but it pushed it just a little out of my price range so im still on the lookout for something similar at a cheaper price range. But in saying that i dont want to pay less money for a cheaper product that will end up in smoke and flames.
Gstark, how much are the spare globes for the Golden eagle kit and how easy are they to aquire if needed?

Thanks
mike

[gstark]

I understand that its because of the fall out of our economy but it pushed it just a little out of my pricerange so im still on the lookout for something similar at a heaper price range.

Colour me confused then.

The lighting kit in the ad you highlighted will be the same price as the GEs (near enough) once you add in the cost of shipping. (The ad's pricing requires that you ad in the cost of shipping, forum prices always include this)

how much are the spare gloves for the Golden eagle kit and how easy are they to aquire if needed?

I think I have about ten of them sitting about three feet from where I am right now. Poon sent them to me for free.

Would you care to try to answer your own question based upon that knowledge?

[darklightphotography]

I have had 2 of these

Two of .... what ??? The ones in the ad? Golden Eagles? QiHe? Glanz?

I don't know that the ones in the ad are the Golden Eagles; they look to be similar, but the quoted brand name is different. There have been several different ones mentioned so far in this thread, and I think that it might be helpful to be a little more specific if at all possible.

The ones I have are Glanz, bought from Madsens. I've seen a few other brands though, and they look identical, probably made in the same factory.

[miikeboyle]

gstark, The price of the kit i posted delivered would come to $512.86 AUD. The kit from poon would cost $596 AUD
The difference of $83.14 AUD is quite a bit in my opinion, hence the reason I posted this thread. Are other kits like poons $83.14 better than the one i posted?

mike

[gstark]

Mike,

With respect, I think you may need to revisit your calculations.

gstark, The price of the kit i posted delivered would come to $512.86 AUD.

Is that your calculation, or their's?

Here's how I worked it out ... There was an AU$ price on the eBay site yesterday, for the kit, that was in the vicinity of Au$ 360; a tad more, IIRC. That price is not there now; the GBP price is quoted as 158, shipping is GBP85, which is roughly 55% of the cost of the lights on their own.

My rough calculation goes like this: Take the AU$ price of 360 and add another 55% to that and you get $558. We're now at less than PP40 difference, and yet you have no concept of how good these guys are, nor of how good these lights may be.

Sounds like a great deal to me.

You could use any of the exchange calculations posted on the web, I just used two that I found: one gave me about Au$515, the other gave me $610. Which of those will your bank will be using? Good luck.

Poon and I have already agreed on the rates that we use, and while they very, we both know what rates are in use.

How will you be paying? Will there be any extra charges associated with that method of payment? Paypal charges? Credit card surcharges?

I'm just asking, and trying to highlight areas where you may get burnt.

[MATT]

I think I have about ten of them sitting about three feet from where I am right now. Poon sent them to me for free.

Gary, if they are the modeling lamps , can I buy 3 off you? In all the confusion at the time with my kit and the wrong voltages I never ended up with any modeling lamps.Zoe/Poon had been very helpful sorting the voltage replacement I didnt want to bother them over them.

A little note back on topic. mine have been fine, although they have not seen much use and my total lack of ability in using them, when I have they have given great results. Considering the price for my use they are perfect.


Regards

MATT

[gstark]

Matt,

Could you please PM me your address details? We'll get them in the mail to you.

[surenj]

I have had mine for a few months and they work fine for indoor short shoots. Obviously you wouldn't be using them to overpower sunlight at 12fps etc etc... They do get very hot even without the modelling lamp on but have never emitted smoke in my use. I have even left one switched ON overnight by mistake and my place didn't burn down!

I thought the Golden Eagle was good value when I bought it.