Has anyone ever used these lights...

[raylynn31]

They are called So Cal professional lights. I seen them on backdropoutlet.com.
I am in the process of buying my first set of lights I am really interested in softboxes. I was going to buy alien bees, but these lights seemed like a better deal. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Austin.Manny]

Never heard of them.

I'd suggest getting the tried-and-true alien bees.

[RacingMoose]

Take a look at the Calumet Genesis lights also. Many people on here give them high marks and recommend them.

[Austin.Manny]

By the way, I've never used the Alien Bees; just going by what a lot of people use for relatively inexpensive but good strobes.

+1 to RacingMoose, a lot of people use the Genesis lights and they are even cheaper than the AlienBees iirc.

[TMR Design]

Sometimes the better deal is not always the best purchase to make.

If you don't already have specific needs or a brand you're drawn to then for entry level strobes I would suggest you look at Alien Bees. They may be slightly more expensive but they offer you more in every was possible. The Calumet Genesis strobes are very good and also very affordable.

You can't go wrong with either but in terms of overall system and customer service and support you can't go wrong with Alien Bees.

[eduardofrances]

They are called So Cal professional lights. I seen them on backdropoutlet.com.
I am in the process of buying my first set of lights I am really interested in softboxes. I was going to buy alien bees, but these lights seemed like a better deal. Any advice would be appreciated.

SoCal monolights are Mettle monolights (chinese made rebranded) they also look very familiar to Flashpoint II with a different accesory mount (although they look familiar it is hard to know if they are the same thing though), there´s no feedback on this brand so you may want to avoid them and get something that´s better known and field tested: Calumet Genesis (although they are also chinese made rebranded monolights they are good quality), Elinchrom D-lites, Alienbees, Bowens are brands that you can trust. :D Check them out.

P.D. added photos for you to compare
http://www.socallights.com/v/vspfiles/photos/SC600-4.jpg
http://oldenglishchina.tripod.com/met400.jpg
http://www.adorama.com/images/Large/FP1820A.jpg

[blam]

i prefer my elinchrom Dlites over my alienbee by a long shot.

[Vad]

I just stopped by Backdrop Outlet to pick some backdrops and had a possibility to have a closer look. They are just regularly looking lights rather large for the power, but of course it is difficult to say something definite without actually using them.
Going wih Alien Bees or Calumet Genesis is a good advice. ABs are better for working with people, Genesis is better for stills. There is a lot of praise to AB customer support but Calumet's staff is also top notch.
Just remember that the lights is not the only thing. You probably will want to buy some softboxes, umbrellas etc. so look at those too before making your decision.

[bzimmermann]

i prefer my elinchrom Dlites over my alienbee by a long shot.
So tell me, how come you listed cheapo Vivitars and Sunpacks and of course D-Lites in your signature but missed Alien Bees ? Maybe there are no Alien Bees ?
sigh.... :rolleyes:

[blam]

So tell me, how come you listed cheapo Vivitars and Sunpacks and of course D-Lites in your signature but missed Alien Bees ? Maybe there are no Alien Bees ?
sigh.... :rolleyes:

I also didn't list my 5D. what's your point?

[DONHFOTO]

I love my Genesis 200's they are consistent and a great bang for the buck....