I recently needed a portrait lighting kit, and decided to try an entry level one. This is my Product Review – LimoStudio 600w Continuous Light Portrait Light Kit.
I already had a single stand for my flash, and wanted to be able to mount a second one. I knew it would be a light weight kit, but could be a great place to get started, you get three stands, two umbrellas, and three continuous light kits for the price of just 2 stands from other vendors.
What do we get for $50?
- (2) x LimoStudio 86″ Tall Studio High Output Umbrella Flash Strobe Light Stand
- (1) x LimoStudio 28″ Tall Studio Quality High Output Accent Light Table Top Light Stand
- (2) x LimoStudio White, shoot through umbrellas
- (3) x LimoStudio Studio Single Head Photo Lighting Fluorescent Light Holder
- (3) x LimoStudio Digital Full Spectrum Light Bulb 45W Photo CFL 6500K, Daylight Balanced, Pure White
- (1) x Convenient Umbrella Carry Case | (1) x Bulb carry bag
A basic studio, or video kit, with not a lot of power. But you could upgrade the bulbs to 105 watt CFL bulbs, which are the equivalent of 400 watt standard bulbs. (Replacing these lights is cheaper than buying a kit with these bulbs, and you get more “stuff”)
Build Quality – Lighting Kit
The Light stands
2- 86″ and 1- 28″ stand – I found them to be light weight, as expected at this price point. The supports for the base are thin and I think they may end up bending, if I’m not careful. The metal inserts for the thumb screws seem a little light as well. The mounting stud on the top of the stand is riveted in place. The tubes are smooth, allowing them to rotate, freely. If you over tighten, you may dent the tubes. Like all entry level stands, these will blow away in a light breeze, so using them outside will require adding some weight to the base.
Umbrellas
The umbrellas are light and inexpensive, making them inexpensive to replace, if they get bent, or dirty.
Lamps
The lamps are all plastic, with light weight inserts for the screws. The threaded aluminum for the bulbs is only a few threads deep, I expect they won’t last long.
Bulbs
45 Watt, 6500K daylight balanced CFL’s – a little more blue than I like, but they will work for close ups and some video work.
Bags
The bag for the bulbs isn’t much, but it will hold all three bulbs in their original boxes. The second case is better made and should work fine for holding the stands and umbrellas.
Overall rating?
This is a decent kit for $50 or so. I chose it because I needed two more stands with umbrellas and swivel brackets for my flashes. I had to purchase the brackets separately, but for a little more than the price of two stands from Cowboy Studio, I picked up a lot of “stuff”. I am now equipped for both multiple flash photography and continuous lighting for video.
The light weight of of the kit, allows me to carry it with me, almost anywhere. Heavier, sturdier professional stands and lights require additional hands, or some kind of cart, to move around.
So, what will it do when they break? I’ll probably buy more. I can afford to replace these with the same, or similar, a couple of times, before it gets too expensive. As I go forward, I plan to upgrade to professional stands, sturdier and better made, but for now these are a great place to start.