Novatron D1000 kit

Hi all, I searched but didn't find much.

I have a chance to get this kit for a good price.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …003_1000_W_S_Pr​o_Kit.html

It also comes with a 60" octabox, a 24x36 softbox, a boom stand, a background stand.

How does this kit compare to Alien Bees and such? I'm currently have 2 AB-400 but since this price is so low, I'm consider upgrading (or is it a downgraded?).

Any comments on this kit is appreciated.

I read this thread from FM and someone mentioned it's rubbish???
http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/76062​0

Thanks

I've been using Novatron stuff. It does what I need. Everything I've got has had the daylights beat out of it and most of it has survived. I have a bunch of heads, a 1600 Ws pack, a 1000 Ws pack, a 600 Ws pack, and two very old 330 Ws packs. I used to have another 1600 Ws pack that I bought for a song, but it really was worn out and I was only able to use it for a couple of years. It was old enough Novatron couldn't couldn't get to parts to repair it. Everything I own, I bought used and super cheap. But it works. Would I like a shorter flash duration? Yes, I would sometimes, but not very often. Would I like to be able to dial each head infinitely? I haven't missed that feature at all. Novatron has heads that will switch down one stop or two stops or both. If I need finer adjustment, I can move the lights. Rarely is lighting so critical that you can't work with it in full stops or by moving them. Granted, it isn't as handy, but its not a deal breaker for me. Pros have used Comet, Speedotron, and others without infinite head adjustability for an awful lot of years.

4x4rock wrote in post #8607894
Hi all, I searched but didn't find much.

I have a chance to get this kit for a good price.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …003_1000_W_S_Pr​o_Kit.html

It also comes with a 60" octabox, a 24x36 softbox, a boom stand, a background stand.

How does this kit compare to Alien Bees and such? I'm currently have 2 AB-400 but since this price is so low, I'm consider upgrading (or is it a downgraded?).

Any comments on this kit is appreciated.

I read this thread from FM and someone mentioned it's rubbish???
http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/76062​0

Thanks

I hate gear snobbery. Calling the Novatron gear "rubbish" is just ignorant.

Yes, a monolight kit like AB or Calumet's setup is more flexible and you can probably get the same number of lights and gear for cheaper than the Novatron setup you have listed here, but the Novatron lights are still solid workhorse systems that many people have used for years.

Novatron is good but this kit would be a downgrade from AB. You did not say what your good price is. Is it enough to get an AB 800 plus acc…? Paul C. Buff makes great stuff and if you have never used power packs than it’s a lot more complicated. It also is nice to build on a system where everything is compatible and there are a lot of accessories available. If you need more you can add as many lights as you need with out losing power like you do in a pack. Also for reliability if your pack goes down the shoot is over with mono lights your just down a light. I have used alot of strobes (mono and Power packs) and I think for lightweight, durability, ease of use, and reliability you could not pry my AB out of my fingers. I have 4 AB’s and love them.

Jim M wrote in post #8608179
I've been using Novatron stuff. It does what I need. Everything I've got has had the daylights beat out of it and most of it has survived. I have a bunch of heads, a 1600 Ws pack, a 1000 Ws pack, a 600 Ws pack, and two very old 330 Ws packs. I used to have another 1600 Ws pack that I bought for a song, but it really was worn out and I was only able to use it for a couple of years. It was old enough Novatron couldn't couldn't get to parts to repair it. Everything I own, I bought used and super cheap. But it works. Would I like a shorter flash duration? Yes, I would sometimes, but not very often. Would I like to be able to dial each head infinitely? I haven't missed that feature at all. Novatron has heads that will switch down one stop or two stops or both. If I need finer adjustment, I can move the lights. Rarely is lighting so critical that you can't work with it in full stops or by moving them. Granted, it isn't as handy, but its not a deal breaker for me. Pros have used Comet, Speedotron, and others without infinite head adjustability for an awful lot of years.

I have had a similar experience with Novatron. I bought all the ones I have used over 20 years ago and with the exception of one 880 plus pack that went belly up all of them still work fine. I don't use them much anymore and they're too beat up to sell so I keep them just in case. They are generally reliable lights and every bit as color correct as my Balcar and Dynalite systems. With the accessories the OP listed it might be a good deal. I've never used ABs but I really can't see how they would be a downgrade to a couple of AB 400s. Sure, they have some limitations, I didn't buy other systems just for fun but I've been impressed with the durability of Novatron. I wonder how many ABs will be around 20 or more years from now after being used like I used my Novatrons.

Thanks for all the info. The kit was bought a few years ago and used maybe a couple of times. He bought from a local store but the price was comparable to B&H; roughtly about $2500 for everything. The 60" Photogenic octabox is almost $300 on B&H

One thing I don't know is if Novatron requires its own speedrings for those softboxes.

OK, what I know is old news, I bought softbox adaptors many years ago. Then the only thing available were anything but speedrings. They are fixed and don't rotate and a bit of a PITA to install, mine just stay on the head. It's been a long time so maybe things are different now. I would ask the seller what comes with the kit.

I've got an older Novatron 1500VR that was well used by a studio before I got it. Its served me well, and while it doesn't have the name appeal of other lights, its been a solid performer, highly reliable, and has published a lot of work for web, catalog, magazines, and other print work.

To me, its the end result that matters, and the Novatron lights have an end result that my editors and graphics teams like.

Thanks all. I bought the kit and he threw in a pair of PW Plus too. Well I can always sell it back if I don't like them.