erin_stine Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 I apologize, because I know many similar posts have been made... but I am about to buy my first lights, and I keep debating back and forth. I want to just get a two light starter kit and have been torn over whether to get hensels or white lightnings. I'm trying to stay under $1500. I like the hensel kit better but white lightning offers a better warrenty and I hear better customer service. Right now, these would simply be for my own projects (i'm about to go back to school for my mfa, but i want them to last a long time.) Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Both are very good but essentially similar products. Whenever buying gear like this where a substantial amount of money is at stake you need to consider why you are prejudiced in one direction or another: Is this leaning based on advertising, what strangers (who may or may not have ties to a company) say, what people you know say, or from hands on experience? You also have to look at cost of ownership issues. While electronic flash gear rarely needs repairs, how much will it cost to replace similar components, particularly modeling lights and flash tubes, and how much will will it cost to repair (including shipping and down time) components like capacitors and triacs if something drastic happens? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathan_stiles Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Erin, I hear that Buff has great customer service, but I've also never had anything but stellar from B&H. So "better"? I'd be interested in how that term came about to be used. You may want to look at your path of upgrading. What do you want to be using in 2 to 5 years? Not that you can make a greatly educated guess about this, but it's a start. Then look at the options from each kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy_kurtz Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Erin, I shoot two Hensel Integra Pro 500. Thay are very nice and easy to work with and set up. The bag works great if going on location very portable... When I turn off the modeling light and shoot 1/2 power I can get over 1000 shots with my new VAGABOND II..<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy_kurtz Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 If you look at her feet you can see its not finshed in photoshop..Just a photo I am working on know.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy_kurtz Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 A little better... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mona_chrome Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 I have been shooting with White Lightning, professionally, since 1990 and have absolutely no complaints about the lights or the service. I am still using some of the original lights with the original flash tubes--and they are very economical to replace, in any case. I also have a Hensel Porty system and recently tried to replace my batteries and Hensel was totally unresponsive to my supplier. After 3 months of this and apparently other problems, the supplier said they terminated their distributorship with Hensel. I only know what they said and will be trying to replace the batteries thru BH or Samy's in LA. If you can, call Samy's and see if they are getting good service from Hensel--that would be my only concern with that system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 B&H has the Porty batteries in stock and always has them. Who knows what the issue between Hensel and your supplier was. No issue using B&H with any Hensel product I've bought. Stuff is built like a tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barry schmetter Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 I have a Hensel kit and I love it. Well built and well engineered, the flash tubes are easily replaceable and reasonably priced. The modeling lights are nice and bright--which was important to me. The Hensels seemed like a better value than anything I looked at while shopping for monolights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_planta Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 I really like Hensel as well. White lightning are good personally I found the hensel sturdier build and more connsistent but ymmv. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandor_a._feher Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 Here you can get replacement battery for the Porty. Can not go wrong with the price. http://www.unionbattery.com/mx12070.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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