Comments about Smith-Victor Smith Victor K84, 4 Light, 1000 watt Ultra Cool Photoflood Portraiture Kit:

I've taken a number of different photography courses at the college level. Currently, I'm taking a studio lighting course. There we use Visatec Solo Mono B strobes and Lowell DP 500 and 1000 watt flood lights. I wanted something that could create harse, contrasty shadows, was portable, inexpensive, upgradeable and also good for portraiture. Nothing like wanting the world.After extensive reviews on Adorama, [...] and the web, I decided to go with this kit. At only 1000 watts, 250 per lamp, it doesn't offer the harse contrasty shadows I wanted. It does provide good overall light (I would consider supplementing with another, more powerful flood or a strobe), it allows for multiple lighting configurations and experimentation, its upgradeable in that Smith Victor make additional accessories for the lamps and seems to be at the mid range price point of under $400. There seems to be a substantial jump after $450.00Now. it doesn't come with instructions. I'm technically savvy, however, I still don't know if the Boom is secured properly. The stands are sturdy enough, and for the most part the equipment is constructed fine. That being said, I wouldn't have pets or children moving around the equipment as they run really hot and could potentially tip. I love the carrying case. Everything fits (if properly stowed and yes, you have to break it down to do that). There is a little room for additional gear, but not much. Overall, a good kit that you'll be able to grow with and upgrade to some extent, while having a lower initial cost.