does britek make solid lighting units?
- Thread starter Finnegan
- Start date
Jeff Anderson
Custom Title!
no. do some searching on Britek. Lots of posts concerning these kits. You can definitely use them and get good lighting out of them, but I wouldnt call them solid by any means. You're much better off with a Lowell kit on the low budget side. I'd look into used ARRI or Mole Richardsons as well.
Cryogenic Filmworks
Veteran
Like Jeff says. They are junk lights. I own about about 6 of them, but will be buying Arri and Mole when I can afford to replace them.
eMotion Digital
New member
I own 3 650s and find them to be just fine. I've spent more time repairing Lowel Omnis and have had NO trouble with the Briteks. Their accessories are a bit on the sucky side tho.
Barry_Green
Moderator
I've got a couple of Britek 250's and have had no trouble with 'em.
I've been using Britek for my last few films and they work fine. Lights are lights. The build quality isn't great, but then they're cheaper than all the other brands; the way the barndoor/softbox attaches is especially annoying because if you're not careful you can lose the screw for good. If you're on a low budget then they make a fine starter kit until you can move on to something more solidly designed and built.
HorseFilms
Look ma no hands
I've got 4 of them and I haven't had any problems. I've had them for almost 4 years. You can't slam them around, but I wouldn't do that with any of my gear, so it isn't an issue.
Another vote for pass. 600/300s and 300 open face all have blown globes. The 600/300 metal components are of lower quality than pot metal and the frame spring clamp has broken off on both fixtures.
The 300 constantly blows fuses. Yeah, WTF? Fuses on an incandescent fixture. Wrong, wrong... wrong. Globes from any mfg. blow almost immediately upon striking or after one use on cool-down.
I'm really careful with my gear - it all rides in Storm Cases, so it isn't being jarred around hot or cold. Globe changes are as always - using a clean paper cloth or the plastic that the bulb comes in during installation.
The 600/300 globes, which blow constantly (to the tune of $20), cannot be changed without unscrewing four screws (to get lost, of course) from the glass "lens" retaining frame.
If you pay shipping, I'll send you my three Briteks for free. You'll have to sign a waiver of liability stating that you don't hold me responsible if you damage property, yourself or others using them though.
If possible, I'd love to start a class-action against Britek for the sole purpose of putting them out of business. I wonder...
Altman, Arri, Dedo, Lowel, Mole (used are everywhere), B&M / JG McAlister (used are also in fair supply) are all better bets. I have owned all of these and never had issues of any kind. Currently, an Arri kit (650/300s/150s) has taken the place of the Briteks, which were intended to fill-in as a light-weight location interview kit.
Oh, Britek does not provide any support whatever for their fixtures once they are in your hands. Dealers are so exhausted by the myriad issues that they refer customers back to Britek - where you'll enjoy no support for your "bargain" lighting.
e
The 300 constantly blows fuses. Yeah, WTF? Fuses on an incandescent fixture. Wrong, wrong... wrong. Globes from any mfg. blow almost immediately upon striking or after one use on cool-down.
I'm really careful with my gear - it all rides in Storm Cases, so it isn't being jarred around hot or cold. Globe changes are as always - using a clean paper cloth or the plastic that the bulb comes in during installation.
The 600/300 globes, which blow constantly (to the tune of $20), cannot be changed without unscrewing four screws (to get lost, of course) from the glass "lens" retaining frame.
If you pay shipping, I'll send you my three Briteks for free. You'll have to sign a waiver of liability stating that you don't hold me responsible if you damage property, yourself or others using them though.
If possible, I'd love to start a class-action against Britek for the sole purpose of putting them out of business. I wonder...
Altman, Arri, Dedo, Lowel, Mole (used are everywhere), B&M / JG McAlister (used are also in fair supply) are all better bets. I have owned all of these and never had issues of any kind. Currently, an Arri kit (650/300s/150s) has taken the place of the Briteks, which were intended to fill-in as a light-weight location interview kit.
Oh, Britek does not provide any support whatever for their fixtures once they are in your hands. Dealers are so exhausted by the myriad issues that they refer customers back to Britek - where you'll enjoy no support for your "bargain" lighting.
e
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The key to Briteks..hope for the best...prepare for the worse. If you buy Britek its simple, get a few extra bulbs and fuses off of Ebay and you're good to go. My 250's like Barry's work great. My 650's work descently since I got better fuses and bulbs. I think they're good for the money if you prepare and know what you're getting.
I have to echo "cinebuddy".... Briteks are just OK. Acceptible "starter" units, but realize they're just cheap Chinese knock-offs of better stuff. I have a bunch of them, but we have to baby them, knowing they won't take a lot of rough treatment. And don't even consider Customer Support... These are simply sold by importers...There is no "company". So be prepared to toss it if you get into problems you can't fix yourself.
Cryogenic Filmworks
Veteran
You can put together your own kit with individual lights or try someplace like filmtools.com and check out their kits.
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Richard J. Johnson
Joystick Member
Britek are the worst pieces of S#!T out there. I bought a set and they were broken in two shoots. And I take very good care of everything I spend money on. It is Junk...period.
HorseFilms
Look ma no hands
When I bought mine, everyone was recommending them as a low-budget option. Like I said earlier, mine have been really good. At some point since then, their quality has become questionable. It's too bad.
Luis Caffesse
Admin
Horse is absolutely right.
I have a 250watt we bought probably 5 years ago now (jeez time flies) and I've never once had a problem with it - the thing is a little workhorse.
When I tried buying lights from them last year it was a nightmare.
To give you an idea, the last one I got (which was a replacement for one that was faulty) started smoking as soon as I turned it on.
I cannot recommend Britek lights for anyone at this point.
You just have no way of knowing what you're getting now.
And we're talking about lights that could be dangerous when they're faulty - so personally I wouldn't take any chances.
It's not worth it.
I have a 250watt we bought probably 5 years ago now (jeez time flies) and I've never once had a problem with it - the thing is a little workhorse.
When I tried buying lights from them last year it was a nightmare.
To give you an idea, the last one I got (which was a replacement for one that was faulty) started smoking as soon as I turned it on.
I cannot recommend Britek lights for anyone at this point.
You just have no way of knowing what you're getting now.
And we're talking about lights that could be dangerous when they're faulty - so personally I wouldn't take any chances.
It's not worth it.
I have a few briteks.... they are fine. They do pop, fuses occasionally...... but i always keep spares...
Time to buy a Tota...... Wheres my rebate check!
Time to buy a Tota...... Wheres my rebate check!
Barry_Green
Moderator
To be fair, this has been my experience -- I got mine years and years ago. So if there's been a big downward quality shift since then, my positive experience wouldn't be relevant.