Ever EBAY order lighting equipment from HONG KONG?

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

09/04/2008 11:48:31 PM · #1

Anyone ever order studio strobe kits from those hong kong suppliers? I'd like one thats been proven n tested. The prices are incredible.

slickchik

OM System OM-1

09/05/2008 12:54:30 AM · #2

I bought a cheap set...carrying case, 2 stands, reflective umbrella, translucent umbrella, 2 strobes...it was pretty cheap and they are decent enough for the money...I was happy with the set but I just don't know how to use them very well.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/05/2008 01:48:21 AM · #3

Originally posted by slickchik:

Ditto on all of the above.

Olympus 7-14mm f/4.0 Zuiko Digital Zoom

09/05/2008 03:41:01 PM · #4

I have a pair of those $20 JTL strobe slaves with shoot thru umbrellas. They work very well. But now i see bigger stuff like this and this.The cost seems to be equivalent to a kit without lights. At least if the lights dont work i should still be ahead with of the game with the hardware.
I dont want to invest a lot in lighting right now but i do want softboxes, should i do it? An alien bee setup is a lot more expensive.

one2one

Olympus E-5

09/05/2008 05:13:57 PM · #5

I ordered 2 slave triggers for 22 bucks shipped. Ordered Sunday night and got them Thursday of the same week, direct from HK. Wow!

onesaint

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

09/05/2008 05:45:44 PM · #6

Originally posted by dmadden:

I borrowed a cheapy constant on set and melted a gel on one of the lights. Not out of studipity either (for once)! The lights just run so dang hot! they were one of those ebay sets. So Im weary jsut about starting a fire!

I purchased some alien bees of off ebay. AB800s they were more expensive, but i figure ill be shooting for the next 30 years so 400$ for lights was a good investment. Maybe start out with a one light AB kit and a good reflector. Then as you feel you need it pick up a second light.

Or if thats too rich for your blood, try one of these kits. The lights are smaller and much easier to pull out for quick shoots.

Google Glass Google Glass

09/08/2008 10:18:10 PM · #7

This bundled kit for the price $$$, i dont think i can go wrong. I'll be buying from a U.S. reseller and not hong kong. I figure i can always upgrade to an alien bee later, but i need all the bells n whistles.

ambaker

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

09/08/2008 11:21:54 PM · #8

So.... Which one are you going to get? And be sure to let us know how you like it.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

09/09/2008 12:06:52 AM · #9

I'm looking at this for $245 or this for $139 I'll try to narrow it down by the end of the week.

MattO

Nikon D4

09/09/2008 12:16:20 AM · #10

By the time you pay for the stands(which arent included) buy a reliable remote system, deal with cheaper strobes that may or may not shoot consistant colors, and the shipping charges, you are almost at the price of an beginner bee set, or some of the others that are recommended from a reputable seller like B&H. Save yourself some trouble and buy something decent to start off with.

Matt

jettyimages

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

09/09/2008 12:50:04 AM · #11

hope you don't mind me joining in with the questions.....I'm seeing alien bees mentioned here quite a lot. Can anyone tell me what the ideal portrait setup of those lights is, and if you've managed to find them in a kit? I'm also interested to know if anyone has the alien bee ring flash, and how you like it

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/09/2008 01:24:14 AM · #12

I'll slow down and weigh my options. Here's a look what i have now.This image is minus the 2 pentax off camera strobes I've been using as key n fill.

[thumb]719634[/thumb]

and here's what ive been getting so far when using all four combined(or 5 if u include the on-camera 430ex).

The harsh shadows on her face are because I did'nt diffuse the pentax 360fgz strobes. I tried using shoot through umbrellas with them, but lost a lot of light. Whats the best way to diffuse these flashes?

Makka

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/09/2008 01:38:43 AM · #13

Our very first set were off eBay and from Hong Kong. It's pretty much get what you pay for and they did a fair job. Totally upgraded to Bowens lights now but the remnants of the Hong Kong ones are still around in a box somewhere.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/09/2008 01:47:40 AM · #14

But i was also factoring in the value of the softbox's stand's and umbrella. Those items would prob cost me around $240 at B&H. So I could always upgrade to the alienbees later. One alienbee 160ws is around $230 with no accessories.

Makka

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/09/2008 02:47:31 AM · #15

Originally posted by dmadden:

The softbox we got with our Hong Kong ones has a funny adapter so only really fitted the cheap lights. But, the umbrellas we can use with the Bowens, and they weren't too bad! I think we got 3 brollies in our pack!

onesaint

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

09/09/2008 02:34:20 PM · #16

It seems like you really want the ebay kit. Stands are not included in the 230 package. i got a couple of these with my AB800s. the 6 foot ones. The way i figure it, your gonna pay more in the long run buying lights from hong kong. Like

Makka said, they bought other lights after the hong kong ones.

So just piece out the order.

Get stands from here.

grab soft boxes here.

And then get your 2 AB 400s here. or get them here on ebay.

You spend 600 instead of 250+50 (stands) but your lights last for your photo career... IMHO, its a better investment.