Anyone have real info on these "chinos?" at DVinfo.net

Greg Stout · February 17th, 2012, 07:30 PM

1650W Flat Panel KIT Fluorescent Light Flo panel Flo light Video lighting FL655 - Video Lighting

Seem to be a few companies selling them. Not expecting the hardware to be of identical quality to kino and don't care. It's just for home use and I really only care about the light quality.

Does anyone have them or can give a difinitive answer as to the ballasts being used? Anyone measured the bulbs? I can't get a straight answer about these things from anyone because they just don't seem to know.

I'm torn between building my own on the cheap using home depot t8 fixtures and then gutting them and putting super HQ ballasts and buying kino tubes...

... vs buying these that would be higher quality than what I would make... IF the ballasts and bulbs are up to snuff. Heck, if the ballasts are good but the tubes aren't, at that price, I could still just buy kino tubes.

thx for any input

Greg Stout · February 18th, 2012, 10:35 AM

Actually, there seem to be two versions out there. Here's the other.

CowboyStudio Photography Lighting | Studio Equipment | Studio Accessories

Very hard to find info from informed users.

This one comes with Osram bulbs that say they're 5400K. At least they tell you something. Fancierstudio says essentially nothing about their bulbs.

The one here:
Ephoto 1650 Watt 6 Bank Photo Studio Video Light Lighting Kit by Ephoto

just says:

"55w 5500K perfect daylight Balanced tubes(made in Italy)"

I'm wondering if they use one ballast or three, and which ballasts are used. If one, how does the changing load alter things when some are switched off? Haven't gotten any real answers from any of these websites yet. They don't seem to know much about what they carry.

If more than one ballast, are they truly optimised for the task, and what is the ballast factor, flicker rate?

Also the two types appear to come with different bulbs.

Who has tested these? Am I good with them, or will I need to order something like a kino diva type bulb and drop it in?

Am I going to notice flicker with them? Are the ballasts prone to any other issue? If so, are they easily replaceable?

February 17th, 2012, 07:30 PM	#1
Greg Stout Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 27	Anyone have real info on these "chinos?" 1650W Flat Panel KIT Fluorescent Light Flo panel Flo light Video lighting FL655 - Video Lighting Seem to be a few companies selling them. Not expecting the hardware to be of identical quality to kino and don't care. It's just for home use and I really only care about the light quality. Does anyone have them or can give a difinitive answer as to the ballasts being used? Anyone measured the bulbs? I can't get a straight answer about these things from anyone because they just don't seem to know. I'm torn between building my own on the cheap using home depot t8 fixtures and then gutting them and putting super HQ ballasts and buying kino tubes... ... vs buying these that would be higher quality than what I would make... IF the ballasts and bulbs are up to snuff. Heck, if the ballasts are good but the tubes aren't, at that price, I could still just buy kino tubes. thx for any input

February 18th, 2012, 10:35 AM	#2
Greg Stout Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 27	Re: Anyone have real info on these "chinos?" Actually, there seem to be two versions out there. Here's the other. CowboyStudio Photography Lighting \| Studio Equipment \| Studio Accessories Very hard to find info from informed users. This one comes with Osram bulbs that say they're 5400K. At least they tell you something. Fancierstudio says essentially nothing about their bulbs. The one here: Ephoto 1650 Watt 6 Bank Photo Studio Video Light Lighting Kit by Ephoto just says: "55w 5500K perfect daylight Balanced tubes(made in Italy)" I'm wondering if they use one ballast or three, and which ballasts are used. If one, how does the changing load alter things when some are switched off? Haven't gotten any real answers from any of these websites yet. They don't seem to know much about what they carry. If more than one ballast, are they truly optimised for the task, and what is the ballast factor, flicker rate? Also the two types appear to come with different bulbs. Who has tested these? Am I good with them, or will I need to order something like a kino diva type bulb and drop it in? Am I going to notice flicker with them? Are the ballasts prone to any other issue? If so, are they easily replaceable?