Buying a Light set

[jstatler]

Hello! I've been using a Canon 10D for a year and a half now through the studio I currently work at. Am making my own investment in one and also in a new light set. I've found a Britek PS200 set of 4 with stands etc. and am assured by seller that is campatible with the 10D but I want to make sure. Anyone have any knowledge of these light sets. I can't afford my dream White Lightening set at this time so hoping this one might work. Thanks! :D

[robertwgross]

You might want to describe better what degree of compatibility you expect.

---Bob Gross---

[DaveG]

Hello! I've been using a Canon 10D for a year and a half now through the studio I currently work at. Am making my own investment in one and also in a new light set. I've found a Britek PS200 set of 4 with stands etc. and am assured by seller that is campatible with the 10D but I want to make sure. Anyone have any knowledge of these light sets. I can't afford my dream White Lightening set at this time so hoping this one might work. Thanks! :D

Plan on getting a Wein Safe Synch as well. It may be one thing for the seller to assure you that this flash system is "fully compatible" with the 10D, but I can almost assure you that they will be no where to be found if it fries your camera. Now maybe it won't, but maybe it will. So why take a chance?

Other than that, any strobe flash is compatible with any real camera, so there may be some smoke being blown in your direction.

I assume that you have a flash meter. You might be able to get the basic exposure from these flashes without one by using the histogram and some trial and error, but it will be almost impossible to constuct a specific (and repeatable) lighting ratio. If you don't have a flash meter, pick one up ASAP.

Other than that have fun!

[jstatler]

Degree of compatability? I don't want it to fry my camera. I'm looking for a good beginning set of lights to take on location as well as use in my home for portraiture. I need reliability. I've used an A2 as my personal camera for the past 5 years. After using a 10D at the studio I work at for the past one and a half I'm ready to buy one myself. I feel like I know the camera well enough now. Yes I am slow at the thousand dollar leaps. I've found the britek system, priced around 400, to be a seemingly good possible system to use as a begining system as I try to grow this business of mine. I already have a good wedding clientle and a good reputation within my geo area. If I don't take the plunge now and go out on my own well... It might not ever happen. These lights are strobes with a 1200 watt output each. They are sold on ebay by a larryde. Is this supposed bargain to good to be true? Have you even heard of these systems before? Is there anything I should know before I buy this set.? I'm just full of questiions and am so glad I found this site so that I might find some answers. I appreciate any and all help.

[cowman345]

I use those britek lights regularly hooked to my 10D with no problems. They're pretty good lights for the price, the key phrase being "for the price." Only problem I have is the delicate nature of the bases of the lights, and also, when aimed downward and fired repeatedly, the (grounding?) wire securing the flash tube actually de-solders itself and the bulb occasionally falls out (due to extreme heat local to the wire's attatchment point). So, be careful with that.

-dave-

[jstatler]

I use those britek lights regularly hooked to my 10D with no problems. They're pretty good lights for the price, the key phrase being "for the price." Only problem I have is the delicate nature of the bases of the lights, and also, when aimed downward and fired repeatedly, the (grounding?) wire securing the flash tube actually de-solders itself and the bulb occasionally falls out (due to extreme heat local to the wire's attatchment point). So, be careful with that.

-dave-
Thanks Dave Did you use these on your website for the portraits? I'm thinking of buying the set with 3 ps200s and 1 sm200. Will this be enough power for not only one small child but also a family of 6? The set I'm looking at is 599 with a backdropstand, 4 lights above, 4 stands(1 a hairlite boom),umbrellas, barndoors, powercords, etc. What do you think? Told you I had a lot of questions?LOL Do you know of a good place to get replacement flash tubes?

[WestFalcon]

I would look seriously at the Alien Bees lights instead of Britek. They have infinite power adjustments and a stellar company reputation...hard to beat for the money!

[jstatler]

Well everyone...
It's a done deal. I've just bought them. I have butterflies in my stomache and my hearts pounding like a kid on a carnival ride. But the best part is a 25 day money back guarentee. If they suck back they go. Actually the best part is starting that road to a dream. I'll let you all know when my web site is up and running so that you can check out weither the lites and or my photos stink. Thanks again.

[robertwgross]

Did you establish that the trigger voltage is low enough to be safe for your camera?

---Bob Gross---

[cowman345]

Bob - no worries as far as voltage, they're good. I use the same lights with my 10D regularly.

I'd definately go for alien bees a second time around PROVIDING I come accross that much cash. I had to buy briteks because it's all I could afford, but i'm reasonably satisfied with them.

-dave-

p.s. Flashtubes falling out? manually reinsert the tube (after it cools) and wrap the wire around the solder joint. The joint will refuse itself after a few full-power flashes.

[jstatler]

One question for today...I promise
What lite meter would you recommend? It needs to be cheap as I'm quickly running up credit card debt and dipping into the kids college fund and would like to continue being married. :lol:

[jtparmley]

Have you used your new lights yet?

I alos have a 10d and an looking at the same kits.

This is the first light kit I would buy. How do you hook all 3 lights up to the camera with one port?

How well do these actually work as "Slaves"?

Thanks.

John