Would you buy this if you were me?

[tysrsx1]

Ok, so I am looking at this budget setup on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120436339132&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT.

I am wanting to toy with studio lighting and have a softbox that I can easily drag around for outdoor shooting while spending as little as possible, after all I am by no means a pro and cannot justify spending for all the sweet name brand stuff. My plan is to buy a 430EXII in addition to this setup for portable use with one of the boxes. I am unclear tho if these "mono lights" will be compatible with wireless triggers which is imperative. Also I am not savvy on what all of the stats mean so if someone who knows what they are talking about could break that down and tell me if this is a decent starter setup it will be much apreciated.

[jeromego]

NO would be my answer.

If I were you, I'd add a bit more and get the Genesis 200 2light kit.

[MT Stringer]

If you are worried about the power of the strobes you can always compare them to the Alien Bees.

AB 400 - 160 ws
AB 800 - 320 ws
AB 1600 - 640 ws

The ebay ad says the strobes are 160 ws.
I don't know what your lighting requirement might be. Others may be able to chime in with some info.

[Zansho]

Nah. I'd buy either Alien Bees, Elinchrom DLites or the Calumet Genesis for a bit more. Why buy crap when you can get decent quality for a few extra bucks? :/

[thaking]

NO would be my answer.

If I were you, I'd add a bit more and get the Genesis 200 2light kit.
+1 you get what you pay for, and the Genesis 200's aren't much more, and i'm sure are better...

[gonzogolf]

My first instinct is to say no to all ebay lighting kits. I would say you get a ton of stuff for the price in this outfit, but its of suspect quality. To answer your specific questions these lights should work with wireless triggers because they have to sync with a camera and wireless triggers ultimately use the same sync ports (with the right cords) these aren't really portable though because its an ac unit so you would need a cord. THe ultimate failure is that this is underpowered junk, and the accessories wont really work well with any advanced gear so its not really a platform you could upgrade with. Let us know your budget and we can point you to some gear that will work for you

On a side note, I'm in springfield, ever come up that way?

[Titus213]

Not even with your money.

[tysrsx1]

I am trying to stay in the $500 range. And I was mainly looking at this kit because it came with a large backdrop setup as well. As far as me wanting something portable, I will just be using one softbox with the 430EXII. However I want at least two maybe three lights for studio work.

[jdhart73]

Buy the Calumet Genesis 2 light set up, comes with stands and umbrellas for like 350? Then go buy a roll of Thunder gray Seamless and stop by home depot to make a seamless rod holder etc... (plenty of threads on how to do this). You will come in under 500 and have a great set up that is compatible with some nice modifiers.

[gonzogolf]

If the 430exII is part of that $500 budget then you're not going to make it. But jdhart73 has the right suggestion for budget lights.

[HoRnYTuRbO]

i would rather get a AB400 and a tape your paper to the wall for the time being

recycle time is 5-7... thats worst then watching paint dry,,,,