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05/12/2007 02:57:59 PM · #1 |
wanted to get some opinions on my current dilemma.
I've got $400 burning a hole in my pocket.
I've been looking at getting maybe a one or two Alien Bees B800 depending on if I can find a decent pair on sale. While searching for deals I've run across a guy getting out of the business and willing to sell a Novatron kit of 600vr/3lights for $350 including stands and umbrellas...
What do I get? why?
primary purpose: portrait work/occasional weddings
*so far I've only used my 420EX but have been interested in strobes for a while now, and want to learn more on studio lighting. |
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05/12/2007 06:46:32 PM · #2 |
| *bump* anyone?....Bueller? |
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05/12/2007 06:50:17 PM · #3 |
I've never heard of Novatron and would do a TON of research before I made that deal. Alien Bees, however, I have used for years now and can say that they are very reliable and sturdy even with daily use. I will say though, as I have said before.... unless your studio space is LARGE, you can easily get by with AB400s to start. You might want to add an AB800 or two later on, but it really isn't necessary. AB400s give you a LOT of light and have great recycle time.
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05/12/2007 07:31:40 PM · #4 |
Novatron is an old and respected name in the business. We use them at work and have for 20 years. They are on the par of White Lightning, the maker of Alien Bees. I am not familure with the kit you mentioned. Here is the kit page from Novatron:
//www.novatron.com/pages/products/kits/subsection_kits.html
Maybe you can find the kit he is talking about. $350 seems pretty low for a Novatron 3 light kit. Before I bought I would throughly check it ott and make sure everything works. Also check and see what kind of controls the heads have. The bare head 1-2F stop heads are a bit limiting compared to sau the 600M-Digitals. |
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05/12/2007 09:35:08 PM · #5 |
Yes, I'm in love with the idea of getting Alien Bees but given their price compared to the Novatron it just seems like I have a potentially better learning/working kit with the Novatrons. Apparently the Novatron heads are the same but the power supply has been improved in the past 5 years...not sure when exactly the 600vr changed to the v600d but apparently the 600vr was earlier model. Currently the same kit but with the newer power pack sells for approximately $1200, hence my dilemma. Thank you very much for the input, given I have little to no experience with studio lighting.
Edit: this is the kit for sale (although with the older power pack)
//www.novatron.com/pages/products/kits/61v6003c_kit.html
actually he has 3 of them from his old business, he is now a bit older and having health issues and resigned to focusing on his health and family.
Message edited by author 2007-05-12 21:41:22. |
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11/22/2007 09:47:34 AM · #6 |
what light heads with 600vr? there's a local guy who's selling his for $500. (Novatron 600 VR lighting setup with case. Power pack, 3 heads (2110C, 2140C, 2140C), 2 5' stands, 1 background light stand, optical slave, Wein voltage stepdown transformer, snoot.)
not that familiar with Novatron, so I was trying to figure out if this is a good deal for a starting kit. |
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