StudioFX 400W Continuous Lighting Hairlight Boom Stand Set, Weight Bag Kit/Includes 85watt = 400 Watt CFL Bulb/Weight Bag/Grip ARM

Needed a new hair light for head shots but didn’t want to spend a ton of money. This light is study and easy to use. One of the handlebars was broken upon arrival but I contact the seller directly and they priority mailed a replacement with easy instructions for replacing. Highly recommend both seller and product.

The light box is nice. Nice design and nylon diffuser is a simple but effective solution. Unfortunately the stand is sub par for the weight of the light if you need any sort of height. The boom mechanism is plastic and does not hold up. I purchased a $150 heavy duty metal boom stand to use with this light which is a dream to set up compared to this plastic cheap version. It worked out okay though because, with a couple modifications I am using this lightweight boom stand to set up my Rode Video Mic overhead.

I am a serious amateur whose body of "work", if you want to call it that, was primarily concert photography. But I don't get to see many shows anymore due to work, and I got tired of having my Canon equipment confiscated at the gate at certain shows.This past Christmas, my wife gave me a gift of a basic studio rig -- two umbrellas and a backdrop, which was actually plenty. Some have said it was more than enough, but I don't think so. No such thing as too much light if properly managed and manipulated to suit the needs of the shoot. I can subtract, add or multiply, and I like having the flexibility to do so. I've purchased three more lights since Christmas. And fills and reflectors, too.All that I lacked was a hair light, and the StudioFX 400W fit the bill quite nicely, thank you. Mine arrived completely intact, albeit a couple of days late due to recent winter "storms". Despite the lack of instructions, it was a breeze to set up, although they would have been nice to have. Is it "professional grade" equipment? Of course not. Check the price tag. Is it suitable for an amateur's home studio? Absolutely. The CFL bulb runs cool and presents no immediate threat to the softbox cover that I can detect. I'm anxious for an opportunity to shoot someone with hair, because I have none. Oh yeah... figure out what you're going to put in the weight bag, because it comes with nothing. Sand, lead weights, something has to be placed in there, just in case your boom-to-tripod ratio becomes precarious.I am happy with my purchase of this item.

I have a pair of StudioFX umbrella lights that I use for occasional portrait photography, and wanted to add a softbox to use as a hairlight or side light. I was a little hesitant to order, because the umbrella lights are very lightly built and on the flimsy side. But the price was reasonable, so I gave it a shot.This is surprisingly well constructed. I wouldn’t use it outside, but it should hold up to being shifted around a studio. The boom extends enough that the bottom of the light, pointing down, is about 7’ above the ground. There is a weight bag included; I used a pair of 2.5 lb plates (from a weight-lifting set) which worked perfectly with the boom fully extended. Note the light is just on/off , so if you need one that’s dimmable, you’ll have to go up in price range a bit.It took about 20 minutes to set this up the first time, and 5 minutes to break it down. In the future it will go much more quickly.I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this light, particularly at this price. If you need to take your lights on location, or shoot outside, you’ll need something more sturdy. Otherwise this should work just fine.

After a previous purchase of a similar light(not a boom) I did not expect much from this different company. I needed a Boom type set up and frankly need to be on the ECONOMY ( cheap) side.This one fit the bill. Had very few complains so I gave it a try. It Got here today and when unboxed it and I grabbed the frame, the actual tripod, part out the box I had to stop and go look the invoice to make sure I paid for the right one and got the one I ordered.Because is much heavier duty than the one i got from a different manufacturer for about the same price. This one is a very good piece of equipment and is strong. I am super happy.Finally a fair priced good piece of equipment.Used it this afternoon:The hood is the same. The boom also strong with thick metal. NOT flimsy at all.The sand bags are ok ( the other one did not have these bags)I highly recommend this.See the picturesIt's the one in the foreground in the picture.I'd be open to so a video on this if anyone is interested.

Two comments offset an otherwise good review. 1. The switch for the light is in the cord, but too near the top. It would be much easier to operate if they had installed it further down the cord, making it easier to reach. 2. The little sand bag has a grommet in it to hang it from a hook on the boom as a counter balance. However, the grommet ripped out of the bag after the second use.

Metal is a bit bendy. Everything sets up really easy. If you need instructions, it is because your thinker is not of the mechanically minded variety. If you are at all familiar with clampy standy thingies, you'll do fine. The thing does its job, as advertised. Can hold a hair light out of the way of the camera's view. The whole thing kind of sways like a tree in the wind, so my sense is that the constant little movements will wear out the cheeeaaappp plastic parts eventually, but I will be a very big time video producer at that point and will likely have three different sets of kino flo lights by then anyway. ;) I think even when it breaks, I'll still find something useful in it, so it is likely worth the price. If you will be using this hard, but two or save up for something stronger! Good luck!