Flashpoint Budget Studio Monolight Flash, 160 Watt Seconds, with User Replaceable Flash Tube.

2013-12-09T19:00:00

Great for my home studio.

Stacey M.

2013-05-28T21:00:00

I think this product is now discontinued, but I have mixed feelings about it. I owned 3, but ultimately needed to return 1. Positives: - Very inexpensive - Variable power control - Built in slave sensor - Replaceable flash tube - Small and light - Availability of inexpensive accessories, like barn doors. Negatives - Blows fuses a lot. This seems to be a bit of a crapshoot. Two of my units rarely if ever blew fuses, the other one seemed to eat them for lunch. Since I was using this for an on site photo booth type setup, this just wasn't reliable enough. If the fuse blowing didn't happen, this would be a great product. - Power level modest - about the same as a decent Speedlite. - Slave function cannot be switched off. If you are in an area with other people using flashes, your strobe will go off. I had to use several layers of heavy tape to cover the slave sensor.

DAVID F.

2013-05-27T21:00:00

Out of the box one didnt work at all, other 2 are worthless as you have to change fuses after 2-3 shots! absolutely worthless. i bought hoping to save money well i just wasted enough that i could have spent on on decent strobe. dont buy its not a cost saver at all.

Lorria R.

2013-03-26T21:00:00

Before I purchased Flashpoint budget studio I was using a Speed-o-tron set that was about 70 years old. It was dependable but time consumoing to set up as well as heavy. The new system is quick to set up and light weight and well worth the price. I'm glad I found the article in Shutterbug Magazine. I ordered it immediately and have been using it ever sice.

Wild W.

2013-03-18T21:00:00

You really do get what you pay for....im new to studio photography so i tried to find a set that wouldnt break the bank and still let me explore the world of studio flash. I got 2 of these in a kit and after about 15 shots, the flash wouldnt fire in one of the strobes. I thought it was a cable or bulb, but after trying the other bulbs and cables it was the strobe....so off to RMA land. I decided to get a different strobe and keep the other one as a secondary light. Well after about 30-40 shots, the second strobe from this kit wont fire unless you press the manual button, no cable or optical fire at all.....off to the junk pile with you

JONATHAN D.

2012-12-31T19:00:00

Fix the fuse popping probable and I'll reconsider. I will be sending back tomorrow

SHAD R.

2012-12-23T19:00:00

I have 2 of these. One of them , the slave will only work if it is pointing up (that is my background light. The other I use as a hair light. These are cheap, and only good as a supplemental light for a pro. They would be ok as a hobbyist or student light to experience flash, but I don't think they will last. You do get what you pay for. They are however, powerful enough for small groups, recycle fast, light, and really cheap in price. I won't recommend them because one of mine has an issue after less than a dozen shoots.

Dana S.

2012-12-22T19:00:00

I find that the budget moonlight works for those quick setups that I need when I don't to breakout the larger strobes. It does need a better way of detecting off camera flashes at some shorter distance when it is blocked an object. But, for the most part it does the job for me.

PATRICK G.

2012-06-03T21:00:00

ok for what we needed it for but not great BUT, good enough

VICKIE R.

2012-06-03T21:00:00

I never write any consumer ratings, but since this one came in the mail I can't resist complaining. This appeared to be the flash we need for a photo booth. Adjustable settings, fast recharge and compact. However after installation in our photo booth set on 1/16 of the power and recharge every 10 seconds, the unit stopped flashing after about 20 cycles. No problem, we purchased 3 this was just a faulty unit. Second unit did not work correctly either. I have not tried the third one, since I don't trust them anymore and will go back to our trusted old flash that can be purchased on this web site as well.

Frank

2012-04-29T21:00:00

I use this as a kicker, and a hair light, as it is light and is stable on a boom.

Dana S.

2012-03-25T21:00:00

very good at the price...reliable, easy to use,accepts most umbrellas. Attaches easily to most stands...adjustable power and adjustable mount.

PATRICIA L.

2012-03-14T21:00:00

I received both of these lights with blown fuses fresh out of the box. I was so disappointed. However, after a thousand trips around the world, I FINALLY found fuses at a Shack that has Radios, if you know what I mean lol!! If you need fuses fast, ask for 5 amp 250 volt slow-blow fuses. (Measurements are 5x20mm in case you need that info.) You get 4 in a pack for just a couple bucks. I got 2 packs lol. Needless to say, my lights are now working, but I haven't had them working long enough to say whether they are worth the money or not. I am only writing a review because I searched high and low online and couldn't find any info about these fuses. Very frustrating. I hope this helps other people out and maybe they can avoid having to order them or be inconvenienced by waiting.

Just_A_Girl

2012-03-11T21:00:00

I use the during special events like retirement parties, church functions and baby showers.

BigDaddy

2012-03-04T19:00:00

Good starter kit. These are not real powerful but they work and can be used easily for additional lights to accent a shot. Also good for product or table top work. They are AC only and probably best for indoor only but they do offer about a 2 f stop adjustability. Sync cable or light trigger. There are both Model and flash. They run hotter then on can imagine. The centers of the filters that come with them will melt in a short time if left on. Good for a starter kit, support lights and indoor use.

Wayne

2012-02-29T19:00:00

The build quality is not excellent, but the price was! This monolight will overheat if fired rapidly at higher powers.

RYAN N.

2012-02-27T19:00:00

I have 3 of these units. I don't use them all the time but when I do they perform as they are supposed to. I have a 650 watt Honda silent generator that I at times take to my outdoor shoots and that allows me (technically) to connect all 3 lights to the generator. So far I've only used 2 at a time outdoors. For indoor use they are great for me since I shoot in a small 10 x 20 ft studio. So far I've never had to replace a tube and only 1 fuse gave up on me. I advise you have fuses available which are sold by Adorama (don't buy them elsewhere for they won't work; don't ask me why). The modeling light is OK for brief use but it will get super hot.

LUIS T.

2012-02-12T19:00:00

If i kept da box i would have sent them back

GEORGE L.

2011-12-11T19:00:00

Be careful. While these work well, they blow fuses QUICKLY! If you're purchasing because you're on a budget - better be able to afford at least one extra for when the other blows - because it will happen. I purchased two, one blew, purchased a third instead of sending it back just because of hassle, and six months later the second blew. Fuses do not work, entire unit shot! Just don't be too dependent on these at any given time unless you have backup!

JASON D.

2011-12-11T19:00:00

The is an excellent low output strobe for studio, or location where A/C power is available. Since the output is variable, it is great for a hair light or background light -- and yet has enough power to use as a main or fill light for portraits.

Greg

2011-12-10T19:00:00

Bought four and they worked great, then one blew out, then the second. Thought it was fuses, had to order those and wait, then nothing happened. Still blown! Waste of [$]!

JASON D.

2011-11-20T19:00:00

Excellent choice when on budget !!! quality to price comparison A+ I have 2 of them and use them in high key for background burning most. It's really good strobe for hair lighting or background accents Sample 1 - I used two Flashpoint Budget Studio Monolights to burn out background Sample 2 one Flashpoint Budget Studio Monolight as hair light and background accent

SEBASTIAN G.

2011-11-20T19:00:00

These budget flashes are great value and I have four of them. The ability to change the light output is great. However, all 4 of my flashes blow fuses after 5-20 flashes during an hour period. If you can deal with that I'd say buy these flashes.

tony8gj

2011-11-14T19:00:00

So first, lets cover what these lights are not. These lights are not expensive Alien Bees or Einsteins designed to deliver perfect results every time. They are inexpensive lights that allow you to add light in places without having to deal with big expenses or big lights. I own three of these now and I use these for hair lights, accent lighting, backlighting, and anywhere else that calls for additional lights where a larger unit would be too cumbersome. The optical slave works well but can be prone to triggering from pre-flash. They go well on a boom, are easy to hide behind a subject, and you can buy some nice accessories like a snoot, barn doors and gel caps. They are perfect for those purposes. They can even be used as regular studio lights for location work although I feel they are slightly under powered for groups. There are a few things to watch out for. The gels and the snoot cannot be used when the modeling lights are on. This is inconvenient - especially with the snoot. I would like to see the snoot made out of metal or a high temp plastic. But that's more about the accessories than the light itself.

KEVIN F.

2011-10-23T21:00:00

the reason I rated so high is because of the great price. I just needed another fill light, and it's working great! I did have to replace a fuse once because I was shooting too fast.

photomom

2011-09-17T21:00:00

Like i sade save your money

Pictureman

2011-09-05T21:00:00

This is a great little light that serves very well as a hairlight or fill light. I have also used it occasionally as a key light for headshots with very good results too. I bought some accesories like barn door and honeycomb grid, which makes the light very versatile. This inexpensive light is a great value.

RANJIT L.

2011-09-04T21:00:00

recycles fairly fast and adequate power for studio and church weddings. Can be used with two or more lights.

RR

2011-09-03T21:00:00

I have seen quite a few comments from people who have experienced problems with this product shorting out fuses. I used to be one of them.When this flash burnt out the first fuse, I went to the hardware store and bought what I thought would be a replacement. A Bussmann 5 amp fuse (BP/GMA-5A) made for holiday lights. The unit began tripping fuses almost every time I turned it on. I made more frequent trips to the hardware store and fianlly started buying the fuses 3 packs at a time. I have the flash mounted on a ceiling in my studio and hated to take it down. [...]Since I switched to using the Adorama fuse I have not had a single problem with the fuse blowing. And they are about half the price I was paying for fuses at the hardware store. All I can say is that is you are getting frustrated with fuses blowing in this unit, don't give up on the product until you try it with replacement fuses from Adorama that appear to be a better match for the product.I have found this product to be quite versatile. Small, light and powerful. The size/weight makes it very easy to use on a boom arm with the metal snoot as a hair light. And if you use it at less than full power the recyling time is very fast.

MICHAEL K.

2011-09-03T21:00:00

Great for the price. I had a Interfit blow up at a shoot that was only used sparingly so I didnt want to spent a ton of money. These are great for the price.

Steve