Egg Born Son
Veteran
They are surprisingly rugged at the price although it is obvious at close inspection where the corners are cut. They do the job though and they have all the features I need. The stands are chunkier than other cheap light kits but still shouldn't be leaving the house/studio. If someone falls against them they will probably break. I haven't got the dimmers or 1000W. Let me know how the 1000W goes after you've had it awhile. I decided against getting anything over 650W partly because of the limitations of a household circuit and heat in a small room; but also because of concern about the lens cracking or shattering under the heat load as Patryk mentions. I've read that it definitely does happen with their 2000W models so be careful. I've read but haven't confirmed that the arri lens will fit as will coollights. I had just recently been considering adding a 1000W to my kit because I am designing the electrical layout on my new house as we speak (and will have access to as much as twice the power of my current living arrangements). Glad Patryk brought it up because I forgot about that.
And just to beat the dead horse one more time, please get an electrician to give them a once over when you get them. They will probably be fine but it is a very small price to be sure. Almost everyone knows an electrician within a step or two from someone they know so ask around. For a friend of a friend they'll do it for beer. Just remember where these lights are manufactured and the lax labour laws and regulations that entails and be safe.
True that! I am trying to wean myself off bargain mentality lately. I'm a little better off now and have all the basics I need to muddle through most situations I get myself into. I have paid so little for my gear through patient bidding, lengthy research and snapping up opportunistic bargains/deals that almost everything I've got I only paid 25-50% of the going rate for and haven't really gotten any duds and only properly ripped off once. Like the Europeans on here it's the shipping cost/import tax that kills you. Here you generally get away with it for items under A$1000 (including shipping) so that has ruled out most pro gear because it doubles the cost. It's taken two year though and if you cost the hours I put into it, scouring every single item on ebay, every internet store, researching, reading forums for that one post that is actually of any use...it's actually still been quite expensive. Fortunately I've had the time but I'm pretty much done with that now. If the hobby is going to start paying for itself (and if I can start deducting tools against income tax) it is going to be better value to just buy brand name and get on with it.
But I think that those who take the 'buy once cry once' motto beyond mere advice to an almost evangelical level are failing to make the distinction that Patryk does above that the hobbyist and professional have different requirements and circumstances. The hobbyist mantra is to find the best places to put the big money and the best places to save a few bucks. I think lights are one of those things because main thing you are buying at the big end of town is reliability and durability, two things less important when you are playing at filmmaking but absolutely essential when your livelihood depends on it. For me the balance point is where you get enough features to make it better than homemade. You do have to match your circumstances to your decisions though. I never intended to make money from this lark but if the opportunities currently presenting themselves come to fruitition there is no way I will be expecting my cheap gear to be able to survive a semi-professional work environment but at the same time what I have learnt having access to this equipment is worth the price of admission.
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