What are the best monolights from China?

What are the top Chinese monolight brands and do they offer a real saving over buying a European or American brand?

I was meeting today with a new photographer to give him advice about lighting. His budget is so tight that even Elinchrom's FX200RI is too much for him. That's when I thought about suggesting Chinese brands, but honestly I didn't know any. I found my self in this same situation a couple time before and that's why I am trying to learn more about Chinese brands.


Any feedback would be appreciated

Alien Bee seems like a good, inexpensive-ish brand. They are also made in the USA. Or the Genesis lighting kit.

Austin.Manny wrote in post #9109096
Alien Bee seems like a good, inexpensive-ish brand. They are also made in the USA. Or the Genesis lighting kit.

+1. For the money/quality, Alien Bees and Calumet Genesis cannot be beat.

Genesis lights are manufactured in China, most probably by Ningbo Jinhui:

http://jinhui.en.aliba​ba.com …0_studio_flash_​light.html

Dave F.

Since the OP lives in 'The Arabic World' I don't imagine he'll be ordering Alien Bees. Parts for Bees are made in China but it's assembled and distributed in the US.

I wouldn't buy the cheapo no-name strobes sold on ebay that are from China but Dave has the right idea with the Genesis lights, which are available outside the US and the distributors will provide service and support.

I fully agree with Rob's post above.

I would never purchase anything significant without being able to get back to the manufacturer or an authorized distributor if I ever had questions, need for service, or need for parts. Thus, I completely ignore most of the "ebay" sources for equipment.

Thanks everyone for the feedback.


I would defiantly recommend Alien Bees to beginners, but they stopped shipping internationally about two months ago.

tetrode wrote in post #9109631
Genesis lights are manufactured in China, most probably by Ningbo Jinhui:

http://jinhui.en.aliba​ba.com …0_studio_flash_​light.html

Dave F.

OMG Dave, the new photographer I was referring to in my first post was asking me about this particular brand. It just he didn't know how to pronounce the name (actually I don't either) so I did not mention it.

I am glad you are familiar with it. I think they would provide a decent alternative for new photographers. One question, though, what is the mount of those lights, is it elinchrom?


Thanks

got this link of Pilot series: http://www.goldenshell​.com.cn …tsHow1.asp?prod​uctCode=96

looks very impressive.

Buy the chinese brand but buy it as a disposable strobe.