Advice on studio lights please

[paulinefisher]

I have seen this kit advertised, can anyone advise if this is good kit and if the price is reasonable please?

Bowens studio Kit.
Bowens Esprit Gemini 500 kit
2 x Bowens Esprit Gemini 500Ws Heads.
1 x Bowens Softbox 60 x 80cm.
1 x Bowens 90cm Umbrella.
2 x Bowens Compact Lighting Support Stand.
1 x Bowens Wide Angle Reflector.
1 x Bowens Deluxe Kit Bag.
Power Cords, Sync Lead, & Modelling Lamps.
like new and about 2 year old
with very very little use.
problem is it would have to be collected.£520

All feedback appreciated.

Regards, Pauline

[John]

Bowens is a good well respected make. Can't comment on the price though - perhaps someone else is more au fait with Bowens proces?

[Paul Jones]

can anyone advise if this is good kit and if the price is reasonable please?

I obviously can't comment on the condition of the specific equipment for sale, but in general, yes, the Bowens brand is highly regarded. If I was buying a lighting kit for myself I would buy Bowens, and preferably the 500s for more power when needed.

The Esprit Gemini lights have been superceded by the new Gemini R range, but should last you a long time. Bought new, you could expect to pay over £900 for a two head kit like this.

Link: http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-bow ... t/p1030424


Having said all that, before you part with over £500 you need to ask yourself if you are going to use it enough to warrant the outlay. I've known people pay upwards of £1000 for lighting kits and hardly use them.

[bert haddock]

Hi Pauline,
Nothing wrong with Bowens lights but as Paul says I would think about spending so much on studio lights unless you intend to do a lot of studio portraits and groups etc to warrant an outlay of £500, I suspect this is what this person has realised. I have a set of Elinchrom lights soft boxes brollies etc and a number of backgrounds which I have had for a good number of years, but I haven't used them for the last couple of years or more as unless you are photographing large groups you can get good results using flashguns reflectors etc, they take up less space.
If you would like to have a chat with John myself Paul or anyone else about this before purchasing the setup see you on Tuursday.
Regards,
Bert.

[John]

The other option is to buy Interfit. I bought an EXD200 kit that has all the things listed for less than £300 new. It's more than adepquate and although it might not take the same heavy use as Bowens, with reasonable care it will last long enough.

[PhilipHowe]

I would have to agree.
I bought a second hand set of Bowens 300Ds with brollies, stands, leads, case etc.
They weigh a ton and have had a lot of use, but I have used them five or six times since I bought them last year.
I only paid £200 for the lot, so I'm happy with the amount of use I get.
I know I could have bought a newer, cheaper set, but these really are the business.

If they were £300, then I wouldn't have bought them.
I would have to say that if you are going to use them a lot, then you will not be disappointed with the product, and I believe you won't be disappointed at the cost.

I bought mine from RealCamera in Manchester, they had a couple of sets when I was there. They even gave me a spare 300D that would not flash, as a spare for parts, it might be worth a call, or a visit. http://www.realcamera.co.uk/

[paulinefisher]

Thanks guys for the considered advice, much appreciated. I hope to have a chat with you on Thursday if possible.

Pauline

[Paul Jones]

So, did you buy the Bowens kit Pauline?

[paulinefisher]

So, did you buy the Bowens kit Pauline?

No, I did bid on them but wasn't to be. They would have been great but I couldn't justify (to my husband) paying the asking price.

[Paul Jones]

Yes, I understand.... £500 for a Bowens 500 kit is a bargain, but it depends on how much use you're going to get out of it.

I've been shopping around for a new lighting kit for the past year or so and can't decide. I'm now seriously considering one of the Coreflash CF-300 kits.

Link: http://www.viewfinderphotography.co.uk/ ... php?cid=25

They've had good reviews.