$1000 shopping spree

Bryan Beasleigh · April 22nd, 2004, 06:33 PM

I think that a typo on B&H , the photoflex site states that the cinedome is ok to 2000 watts. I would assume that would be for the large size.

http://www.photoflex.com/photoflex/index.html

I use a medium and have a Tota with 750 watts in it.

Jim Sofranko · April 22nd, 2004, 07:14 PM

I'm not sure if buying the ring for the tota is the cheapest way out for the medium Photoflex setup. When I priced it out it seemed to be a wash to go with the tota setup.

Buying the location kit made sense for me because I got the starlite head, the medium softbox, all the accessories, 2 x 1K lamps, stand and a soft case for $589.

If you build a photoflex for your tota it adds up to about the same price but you need to use your light. With the location kit you get the extra lamps and starlite head so you can use your tota for other uses. Of course, if you don't want the accessories or the stands then it may make sense.

Bryan Beasleigh · April 23rd, 2004, 11:50 AM

Photoflex medium with louver kit at B&H is $180, Tota $110, speedring $75 and Bogen 3086 light stand (11 lb rating) $52.

That totals $417

Lamps are $14 for a 500 watt and $18 for a 750watt
Star Lire lamps are $42 for a 500 watt and $65 for a 1000 watter.

The Tota will take an HIR650 bulb that gives 1000 watts of light in a 650 watt bulb for $24. The Tota can be relamped easily but the Star Lite lamp is a special order.

On the plus side for the Star Lite is the double envelope safety lamp. The loss is negligable. Other open face lights that use a safety screen lose 30% of the light.

On the negative the Star Lite isn't as easy to tear down quickly. You have to wait until the lamp cools enough to be handled.

Jim Sofranko · April 23rd, 2004, 12:40 PM

Yes you can outfit it that way.

I was pricing the medium silverdome location kit with the accessories which include the grid ($100), louvres, rectangle, and circle masks($80). In addition it comes with the case (app $100).

So if you price it out individually it's a good deal. But if you want to keep the price lower with fewer accessories than the tota may be the best option.

I wonder if the tota affects the quality of the light output. The Starlite lamp locates itself into the center of the softbox so that it illuminates the box pretty evenly.

Bryan Beasleigh · April 23rd, 2004, 01:36 PM

The tota is a broad light with side reflectors that rotate beyond 180 degrees. That's what i use. I've noted the trade offs. One that I didn't mention is that unless you buy the $35 lamp cover you really have an unprotected lamp on the starlight. The tota folds flat.

B&H list two medium soft boxes and they're both $180 (click the email me a better price box). One of the units include the louver kit for the same money.

Jim Sofranko · April 23rd, 2004, 04:10 PM

Yeah regardless of the head I have been very happy with the light quality. Have you tried the grid? I have the louvers but haven't used them yet.

April 22nd, 2004, 06:33 PM	#16
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	I think that a typo on B&H , the photoflex site states that the cinedome is ok to 2000 watts. I would assume that would be for the large size. http://www.photoflex.com/photoflex/index.html I use a medium and have a Tota with 750 watts in it.

April 22nd, 2004, 07:14 PM	#17
Jim Sofranko Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: West Shokan, NY Posts: 217	I'm not sure if buying the ring for the tota is the cheapest way out for the medium Photoflex setup. When I priced it out it seemed to be a wash to go with the tota setup. Buying the location kit made sense for me because I got the starlite head, the medium softbox, all the accessories, 2 x 1K lamps, stand and a soft case for $589. If you build a photoflex for your tota it adds up to about the same price but you need to use your light. With the location kit you get the extra lamps and starlite head so you can use your tota for other uses. Of course, if you don't want the accessories or the stands then it may make sense.

April 23rd, 2004, 11:50 AM	#18
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	Photoflex medium with louver kit at B&H is $180, Tota $110, speedring $75 and Bogen 3086 light stand (11 lb rating) $52. That totals $417 Lamps are $14 for a 500 watt and $18 for a 750watt Star Lire lamps are $42 for a 500 watt and $65 for a 1000 watter. The Tota will take an HIR650 bulb that gives 1000 watts of light in a 650 watt bulb for $24. The Tota can be relamped easily but the Star Lite lamp is a special order. On the plus side for the Star Lite is the double envelope safety lamp. The loss is negligable. Other open face lights that use a safety screen lose 30% of the light. On the negative the Star Lite isn't as easy to tear down quickly. You have to wait until the lamp cools enough to be handled.

April 23rd, 2004, 12:40 PM	#19
Jim Sofranko Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: West Shokan, NY Posts: 217	Yes you can outfit it that way. I was pricing the medium silverdome location kit with the accessories which include the grid ($100), louvres, rectangle, and circle masks($80). In addition it comes with the case (app $100). So if you price it out individually it's a good deal. But if you want to keep the price lower with fewer accessories than the tota may be the best option. I wonder if the tota affects the quality of the light output. The Starlite lamp locates itself into the center of the softbox so that it illuminates the box pretty evenly.

April 23rd, 2004, 01:36 PM	#20
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	The tota is a broad light with side reflectors that rotate beyond 180 degrees. That's what i use. I've noted the trade offs. One that I didn't mention is that unless you buy the $35 lamp cover you really have an unprotected lamp on the starlight. The tota folds flat. B&H list two medium soft boxes and they're both $180 (click the email me a better price box). One of the units include the louver kit for the same money.

April 23rd, 2004, 04:10 PM	#21
Jim Sofranko Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: West Shokan, NY Posts: 217	Yeah regardless of the head I have been very happy with the light quality. Have you tried the grid? I have the louvers but haven't used them yet.