What do you think about these lights?

I got two lights from my aunt who used to run a studio, but has since closed it several years ago. She had these sitting in her basement and just gave them to me! Pretty excited about these lights!

Are these decent lights (not like i would complain if they're not, they were free)?

White Lightning Ultra 1800
Photogenic Powerlight 750

I'm assuming the 1800 is the more powerfull light and I should use that as my primary?

I'm pretty good with my flash units, but have never run studio lights, so any tips and tricks are very welcome! I did order a Wein Safe Sync from B&H to plug the PC cord into my 300d via the hotshoe. Can't wait to get it so I can start playing around!

Thanks!!
- Tom

Both good lights you lucky dog! Buy some decent stands and umbrellas and you'll be ready to go! You might want to get a light meter also.

They're very good quality lights, that's very lucky! Once you get a flash meter you'll be able to work out which is more powerful... try the Sekonic L358.

>>White Lightning Ultra 1800 Photogenic Powerlight 750
...I'm assuming the 1800 is the more powerfull light and I should use that as my primary?>>

Back about 10 years ago or so, I attended a photo workshop put on by a pro photographer's association, and there were exhibitor booths for commercial products. One booth (by a retailer) had a 'shoot out' between WLUltra1500 (not 1800 like you have) and Photogenic PL750. The WL uses marketing hype to call the unit 1500, but really it is not! The Photogenic won EVERY competitive situation after the (dissimilar) standard reflectors were removed...bare bulb, softbox, mounted umbrella reflector. So take a light meter to the two units to compare light output...the Photogenic may very pleasantly surprise you!

Thanks for the response everybody! I do have the lightstands and umbrella's also, but I didn't get a flash meter from my aunt.

I was looking and would really like to save up for a Sekonic L-358, but I won't have the money until the second week of March. Is it possible to meter the lights out with the camera's meter some how? Just so I can play around with them a little before getting the meter?

Thanks!!
- Tom

Lots of trial and error to get correct exposure without flash meter!

I suggest using a ever-declining 'window' of exposure, to minimize the number of trials...
Exposure A f/2 ISO 100, Exposure B f/22 ISO 100. Exposure C half way between A and B. Then you know if 'correct' is half way in between A-C or B-C by looking at result in LCD. The next exposure is half way between A-C (or B-C, if that was better), narrowing it down to A-D or C-D range. That gets you to nearest whole f/stop in 5 exposures. Then use histogram to fine tune up or down.

I bought the Sekonic L308S from BH for $189. It works great.

Well.....

I usually don't use my credit card unless i have the cash to cover it and pay the bill right away.... but i gave into temptation...

I got the L-358 from B&H. It was on sale.... I couldn't help but purchase it! It says $259 in the listing, but when you add it to your cart, it comes up as $239. If you do a search for "psjan" (i found that discount on this forum), and then add that to your cart, it comes up as $219! I can't wait to get it!

- T

You can get some great deals on flash meters on ebay. I have a Minolta Flash Meter IV that works perfect. Got it for $75.00 shipped.