Calumet Genesis short review

Just thought I'd post a short review having been the owner of Genesis 200s for a while now.

As opposed to the two umbrella package, I opted to get one Genesis with a softbox and one with an umbrella. It's a nice savings to do it this way over getting the softbox and adapter rings later. Both units come with reflectors, so if I wish to remove the softbox I have the option to use umbrellas on both as well.

The build quality is very good, they are solid and well made. The outer housing has a rubberized feel to it and all the controls work precisely as they should. The softbox was a breeze to assemble, I'd say less than 2 minutes and I was done. They also include an extra rod for the softbox, in case of damage. The locking mechanism is a ring which you only need to rotate about 1" to secure the softbox or reflector in place. They are fan cooled and the recycle time has been very short, they're ready before I am.

The included stands are adequate but as they are not air cushioned, you need to be careful when making adjustments.

The only problem I encountered was some foreign matter inside one of the power cord plugs which prevented it from fitting properly. A small screwdriver into the end, and all was well. Other than that they have worked flawlessly, and I anticipate many years of the same.

For my use the 200s are more than powerful enough. I've been using them at well under 50% power ISO-125 @f8 for head shots with perfect results. (Small room, my 3 car garage is way too hot this time of year)

I'd say they are definately the best bargain you'll find for entry level strobes. I'm sure these units will remain part of my equipment regardless of what I decide to add later.

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Thanks for the mini-review and images. If you're not already aware of it, the mount is an Elinchrom mount which means it's 100% compatible with Elinchrom reflectors, speed rings, snoots, beauty dishes, softboxes, octas and any modifier with an Elinchrom mount.

This makes the Genesis strobes even more attractive in terms of an upgrade path. You can add Elinchrom accessories and modifiers and if at some point you find you've outgrown the strobes then you can upgrade to Elinchrom strobes and continue to use any and all modifiers.

Congratulations on the Genesis 200's. You'll really enjoy using them.

Robert, the power setting display of the Genesis goes up to 60. does this mean that:

60 = full power
50 = 1/2
40 = 1/4
30 = 1/8
20 = 1/16

thanks

Yes I am aware of the mount compatability, it's yet another plus.

jeromego wrote in post #8505317
Robert, the power setting display of the Genesis goes up to 60. does this mean that:

60 = full power
50 = 1/2
40 = 1/4
30 = 1/8
20 = 1/16

thanks

Hi Jerome,

In theory yes, but with these entry level strobes you don't have that exact degree of accuracy.

10 clicks should equal 1 full stop.

I recall one or two other members publishing the exact power levels they metered but every 10 clicks does not equal an exact stop of light. The nice thing is that you do get consistent output at a particular setting so it's easy to repeat and recall levels, knowing where the discrepancies are.

If memories serves the total range of power that should be 5 stops ends up being 4.7 stops.

Aside from that the performance is outstanding and to get digitally controlled strobes that are more precise does come at greater cost.

TMR Design wrote in post #8505362
Hi Jerome,

In theory yes, but with these entry level strobes you don't have that exact degree of accuracy.

10 clicks should equal 1 full stop.

I recall one or two other members publishing the exact power levels they metered but every 10 clicks does not equal an exact stop of light. The nice thing is that you do get consistent output at a particular setting so it's easy to repeat and recall levels, knowing where the discrepancies are.

If memories serves the total range of power that should be 5 stops ends up being 4.7 stops.

Aside from that the performance is outstanding and to get digitally controlled strobes that are more precise does come at greater cost.

thanks Robert... I appreciate it.

TMR Design wrote in post #8505293
Thanks for the mini-review and images. If you're not already aware of it, the mount is an Elinchrom mount which means it's 100% compatible with Elinchrom reflectors, speed rings, snoots, beauty dishes, softboxes, octas and any modifier with an Elinchrom mount.

This makes the Genesis strobes even more attractive in terms of an upgrade path. You can add Elinchrom accessories and modifiers and if at some point you find you've outgrown the strobes then you can upgrade to Elinchrom strobes and continue to use any and all modifiers.

Congratulations on the Genesis 200's. You'll really enjoy using them.

Well, I'd call it 99% compatible - any Elinchrom accessory which relies on a centered-mounted umbrella hole will not fit the Genesis lights. Rob, you may remember that I found this out the hard way with my Elincrom maxi-soft beauty dish. The deflectors simply won't attach to Genesis lights. Just thought I'd mention that in case it prevents anyone from making the same mistake that I did.

tagvestibule wrote in post #8510493
Well, I'd call it 99% compatible - any Elinchrom accessory which relies on a centered-mounted umbrella hole will not fit the Genesis lights. Rob, you may remember that I found this out the hard way with my Elincrom maxi-soft beauty dish. The deflectors simply won't attach to Genesis lights. Just thought I'd mention that in case it prevents anyone from making the same mistake that I did.

I know. That's why I was careful to say it's 100% compatible with any modifier that has an Elinchrom mount. Notice I didn't mention deflectors or reference any modifier that relied on the central umbrella shaft.

i belive the 2 head light kit is:

http://www.calumetphot​o.co.uk/item/CF0502K1/

Good review as i was going to get these at the weekend, they do look well built!

Thank you for mini review

do you have any examples of photos you have taken with this set? I am trying to decide on these or Alien Bees, thanks.

oh, also I am a noob to lighting, how do you trigger these?

justagirl1980 wrote in post #8513667
do you have any examples of photos you have taken with this set? I am trying to decide on these or Alien Bees, thanks.

justagirl1980 wrote in post #8513750
oh, also I am a noob to lighting, how do you trigger these?

Hi justagirl.

One thing to understand is that I could show you images shot with a Speedlight and images shot with my Elinchrom's and you wouldn't know the difference. In that respect, light is light.

It's what you do with those strobes and how you apply techniques and use modifiers to control and shape light. In many cases, high end lights have more features, offer greater precision and digital controls, consistent output and color, etc. but on the most basic level you can produce amazing images with the simplest and least expensive equipment.

SO, seeing images shot with a Genesis 200 won't tell you anything. You're not going to see anything to identify the strobes. You'll see differences between modifiers, not the lights. Quality of light will change from the use of a 5 foot Octabox to a 24" x 32" softbox but the light that fires into that modifier is not going to make or break the shot or demonstrate a better strobe or photographer.

Regarding the trigger.... you can trigger the strobes with the supplied sync cable that connects to your camera and then to the strobe or you can use any one of several radio triggers available.

Oh, O.K. it does have a cable.
What I guess I am asking about the lights is if the 200 set has enough power to do more than headshots, I would like enough power to do 5+ people at once.

justagirl1980 wrote in post #8513926
Oh, O.K. it does have a cable.
What I guess I am asking about the lights is if the 200 set has enough power to do more than headshots, I would like enough power to do 5+ people at once.

To do full length work or groups I would get the 400 Watt second Genesis. You may not need a pair of them and perhaps a 400 and a 200 would be best but I'm not sure if they offer a kit with a 400 and a 200.

Can you elaborate more on the type of work you want to do?
You can certainly do much more than head shots with a 200 Watt second strobe but once you start doing groups and using modifiers you may find that you need more. It would depend on the size of the subject area and the ISO and aperture you want to shoot.

I bought the 200w kit last year and have been pleased with them. You can see them in use on my flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/​photos/showtm490/