SP Studio Systems Portrait Kit

Hi, I'm just starting to get interested in studio lighting and have

come across a cheap SP Studio Systems Portrait Kit on ebay. The guy

selling it doesn't have much idea as to the specs, and the SP website

isn't much help either. I have come across some info on the B&H

website, but not really what I need. What I really would like to know

is if the strobes are daylight balanced, the power and angular spread

of the lights, and really, if they are any good. If anyone has any

info on this kit, or SP Studio Systems strobes SP-S920 and SP-S100 I

would appeciate it.

 

Andrew Amiet

Both the SP 100 and the SP s920 are 100 watt seconds flashes which means the power is not that high, for example in most studios the strobes are running between 500 and 1000 ws. They should be daylight balanced and since you will probably be using umbrellas or other "light shaping" devices, the spread shouldn't matter. These strobes are good for single person portraits (maybe) and for tabletop stuff, but they won't lite up a big room. As for quality,I have an excalibur monolight and it has proven to be pretty good in terms of reliability.

Bill

I'm guessing you'll find that strobe kit underpowered. I've been using an Excalibur 6400 and 3200 (640 and 320ws respectively) and I've found that using velvia 50, they both just barely provide me enough power. Those strobes are good (IMHO) if you intend to stay in the 400 ISO regime, or use them for hairlights or background accents. Then again, if you can get it for $60-80, it might be a good way to experiment while you look to get more monolights or a pack&head system.