Speedotron users, untie!

If you need the power there is noth'n better than black line speed-o's and for studio work they ROCK.

Damian75 wrote in post #13476837
Looking at this thread do Speedotron owner ever take pictures with there gear or do they just take pictures of there gear.

Shot with Speedos.

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nice shot.

Hi, quick question (i hope). I inherited a 1205cx and kit from a deceased friend, and it has the modeling switch on the power supply, but nothing happens. Can someone point me to a resource for troubleshooting? Could it be a fuse? or maybe a burnt out light in the strobe? The manual is useless. Trying to figure out if it "really" has a modeling light/lamp or not. :/ Thanks

There could be a problem in the pack but more likely a modeling light bulb is burned out (or even missing - some people don't use them). I would check that first.

an acquaintance of mine has some speedotron kit available for sale: https://www.facebook.c​om …or-sale/10150180557320645

I dont use Brownline but it should work fine!

Long time NO Love for Speedotron. I wanted to post some news. Speedotron is going to release a new pack soon, Summer 2012. it is the Gemini 2000 Digital. It is an all digital pack (2000ws) that can be controlled via a USB cable by a computer. It has 1/10 stop power adjustment on all channels. 4 outputs in total. I cant wait to get mine and see this baby in action.

Well, guess I'll try and re-ignite this thread! I was searching Craigslist for some strobes, and came across this deal which seemed like a good buy to me. Thanks to akfreak for helping me decide it was worth it!

The kit, for $175 total, includes:

- Speedotron D402 power supply (400w)
- Speedotron MW3R head (400 w/s)
- Novatron 2120C head (1000 w/s + 2 stop reducing)
- Novatron 2100 head (1000 w/s)
- PC Sync cable (my CBS npt-04s trigger this system wirelessly!)
- Wein infrared slave sensor
- Medium Photoflex LiteDome 293
- 2 x 43" shoot through umbrellas
- 10' crappy stand
- 8' crappy stand
- crappy background stand
- Novatron carrying case

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/sethdubois/8052​903733/

AsI said that is a steal for $175, The Novatron heads, I don't know if they can be wired to work with the speedotron, but you could sell them for $75 each easy and recoup the $175. The pack is a nice pack, you just need a second head. But A reflector will do just fine.

Before you go blasting off the strobe, it is best to Form the caps of the pack. Just plug it in and let it sit for 45 mins or so before you use the pack. Do that every time the pack sits over 30 days.

Good luck, AKf

BTW that pack is current and lists for $480 bucks http://www.speedotron.​com …/brown_power_su​pplies/502

akfreak wrote in post #15086107
AsI said that is a steal for $175, The Novatron heads, I don't know if they can be wired to work with the speedotron, but you could sell them for $75 each easy and recoup the $175. The pack is a nice pack, you just need a second head. But A reflector will do just fine.

Before you go blasting off the strobe, it is best to Form the caps of the pack. Just plug it in and let it sit for 45 mins or so before you use the pack. Do that every time the pack sits over 30 days.

Good luck, AKf

BTW that pack is current and lists for $480 bucks http://www.speedotron.​com …/brown_power_su​pplies/502

The Novatron heads will plug right into, and work just fine with the D402.

Much appreciated! The individual I bought them from was using them in his studio rather consistently, same setup so it seems the Novatrons have been alright thus far!

I am however very interested in getting a beauty dish for my portrait sessions, I assume I would have to look in to a different head for this anyways (being the M11 probably)? Are Black line 102/202s compatible with a brownline pack? In the case that I would like to get heads which would be compatible if I went to a black line pack over time.

akfreak wrote in post #13475899
PromarkBRANDS Announces the Strategic Acquisition of Speedotron Corporation

"PromarkBRANDS will slowly transition Speedotron sales, service and manufacturing operations" I sure hope they dont try to reinvent the wheel. Man this Sux IMO! Speedotron has had my full dedication ever since I bought my first pack. If they outsource to China or some crap, I promise I will sell all and go a different route! The have slowly been letting classic packs die off. Like the 805 (my personal fav's) and the 405. What is the deal with these people? Now they sell out, this pisses me off! Now on with the story, old news I see.

Bartlett, Illinois (PRWEB) August 31, 2011

PromarkBRANDS, a U.S.-based designer, manufacturer, engineer and distributor of time-tested photographic and video lighting products and light shaping accessories, announces the company has acquired the assets of Speedotron Corporation, a Chicago, Ill. based designer and manufacturer of affordable and durable flash lighting systems. The acquisition will expand the PromarkBRANDS current family of products which include Photogenic Professional Lighting, Norman, Smith-Victor, Cool-Lux and Logan Electric.
“We are extremely pleased to add Speedotron to our family of products as it is a leading brand in the commercial lighting systems category,” said Ken Orlando, President of PromarkBRANDS. “Speedotron has a solid foundation in the photographic market and provides high-quality equipment at an affordable price which is something we look for in our brands. We are dedicated to providing photographers with a wide range lighting products and accessories to meet all their shooting needs and this acquisition strengthens that commitment.”
Speedotron originally introduced its products to the photo industry in 1939. Today, it offers two reliable and high-quality product lines, the Brown Line and the Black Line, which are specifically designed for photographers with different needs. The Brown Line is often considered a "portrait system" and provides the best value for photographers who don’t require high speed and power. The Black Line is considered a "commercial system” and is the ideal choice for those who need very fast speeds and high power.
Throughout the remainder of the year PromarkBRANDS will slowly transition Speedotron sales, service and manufacturing operations to Promark’s facility in Bartlett, Ill. PromarkBRANDS and Speedotron are both currently located in the Chicago area and the close proximity of the companies should give way to a seamless transition.
About Speedotron Corporation
Speedotron Corporation designs and manufactures the most affordable and durable line of commercial lighting systems. Established in 1939, Speedotron Corporation has a solid foundation in the photographic market and continually strives to increase the quality, durability, and value of their products. Photographers throughout the country depend on Speedotron’s Brown Line and Black Line systems for all their commercial lighting needs. For more information, visit http://www.speedotron.​com.
About PromarkBRANDS
Promark designs, engineers, manufactures and distributes a variety of photographic and video lighting products and light shaping accessories. Promark is located in a new 96,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Bartlett, Ill. Brands in the Promark family include Photogenic Professional Lighting (http://www.Photogenic.​com), Smith-Victor (http://www.SmithVictor​.com), Norman (http://www.Normanlight​s.com), Cool-Lux (http://www.Cool-Lux.com), and Logan Electric (http://www.LoganElectr​ic.com).

Kinda sad. I previously owned a fair amount of brown line gear, and when I needed anything fixed I just drove to Helix in downtown Chicago and the Speedotron folks were right in the same building. Somehow I don't see this acquisition as being such a great thing for that kind of service, but I suppose with the market going the way it is that a small company like Speedotron was eventually going to be looking for some sort of financial relief.

SethDuBois wrote in post #15086124
Much appreciated! The individual I bought them from was using them in his studio rather consistently, same setup so it seems the Novatrons have been alright thus far!

I am however very interested in getting a beauty dish for my portrait sessions, I assume I would have to look in to a different head for this anyways (being the M11 probably)? Are Black line 102/202s compatible with a brownline pack? In the case that I would like to get heads which would be compatible if I went to a black line pack over time.

The Speedotron Black Line is not compatible with the Brown Line and no adapter is made to my knowledge.

All older (4-pin) Novatron heads can be used with the Speedotron Brown Line packs and vise-versa. Newer Novatron heads have 5-pins and will need modification. The middle pin is an extra ground and can ether be removed from the plug on the head or a hole drilled in the socket of the pack. The middle of the socket is just plastic and drills easy just don't drill too deep. Novatron also made a 4-pin to 5-pin adapter.

Novatron 2153c bare bulb heads with their 3-way power adjustments work very good with the Speedotron packs and are more versatile than Speedotron heads. The 2153c are built very good and out of metal and can be purchased used for under $100. Novatron also makes the excellent 2103fcheads that will work with the Brown Line.

Here is a photo of a 2153c with mounted beauty-dish.

Very informative, thank you!