OT: Has anyone had any luck or bad experiences with these guys?

FrigidNDEditing wrote on 12/7/2004, 7:40 AM

http://rostronics.com/products.asp?cat=27
I was looking at their lights and it seems that they have very good prices almost too good, I know that when I asked about lighting gear I was given the link and he said that he had heard reports of their bulbs blowing almost right away (but he's never had that happen) .

So I'm curious if anyone here has had problems with Rostronics lights. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

michael_morlan wrote on 12/7/2004, 9:14 AM

This is a better question for DV.com's "The Craft of Lighting" forum.

http://www.forums.dv.com/jive3/forum.jspa?forumID=4

The Britek line of lights are acceptable, inexpensive lights. But you get what you pay for. These are all open-faced sources. Some of them appear to merely be a souped up version of a Home Depot worklight with barn doors attached. (Which is a fine solution to cobbling your own work light together.)

You won't have much creative control with these lights. For instance, you can't adjust the beam like you may with a Lowel Omni or any fresnel light. The Britek lights will cast very hard shadows. Consider buying some diffusion gels to adjust the properties of the beam. The following diffusion gels should be in your kit: Full, 1/2, 1/4, Opal Frost. Check out http://www.leefiltersusa.com/ or visit a local grip store for more info.

David_Kuznicki wrote on 12/7/2004, 9:28 AM

Strangely enough, I posted something about these in another thread yesterday. I have a pair of their 650's (w/ softboxes) & 1 of their 200 or 300's (I can't remember which). And I've had NOTHING but good luck with them.

--The Britek line of lights are acceptable, inexpensive lights. But you get what you pay for.

That's certainly one point of view. But give me the choice between the Briteks & the lower end Lowels (the Omni's, Totas, DPs, etc.) and I'll pick the Briteks every time. They're a little larger than comparable wattage Lowels, but they don't get as hot.

--These are all open-faced sources. Some of them appear to merely be a souped up version of a Home Depot worklight with barn doors attached. (Which is a fine solution to cobbling your own work light together.)

Again, that's pretty much as with everything at this price point.

--You won't have much creative control with these lights. For instance, you can't adjust the beam like you may with a Lowel Omni or any fresnel light.

Sure you can. Unless I've got a unique option on mine that others don't.

--The Britek lights will cast very hard shadows.

As do all open faced lights.

--Consider buying some diffusion gels to adjust the properties of the beam. The following diffusion gels should be in your kit: Full, 1/2, 1/4, Opal Frost. Check out http://www.leefiltersusa.com/ or visit a local grip store for more info.

Words to live by!

David.
(and I'm certainly not a Britek shill... just someone who has had a great experience with them & with Rostronics)