ePhoto Video Studio Photography Lighting kit softbox Light kit Video Lighting kit CASE H9004S

I like this product - alot. There are some limitations, but if one recognizes them, these lights can SIGNIFICANTLY improve your ability to obtain very good table-top photography for EBAY & similar. Which - I will add, will increase your sales! No BS. It is no secret, that using diffused, balanced lighting, in the 5000K - 6500K temperature range is very important to obtaining consistent results, every time you shoot. This fact alone, will reduce the time required from taking the photo to posting the photo in your ad. Also, at least for me, this lighting set up completely eliminated the need for a "cocoon" type of enclosure which significantly slows workflow. Before you buy this or any other type of lighting, balance your needs vs cost, manage your expectations. Since I purchased these in October, I am sure that I have taken well over 1,000 photos since purchasing these lights for my use on EBAY, Etsy, Pinterest, etc.Pros:Very Affordable at less than $100.00The front diffuser panel of each soft-box is 16" x 23.5" . Two stands with these soft-boxes is PLENTY of light for table top photography.Each head is made up of 4 - 45W CFL bulbs, controlled by 2 on/off switches on the back of the head.Stands are easily adjustable, up & down.Cons:The soft boxes were a pain in the a** to assemble over the head.Somewhat top-heavy, although this is easily solved by weighting the base. (See my photo, those are 10 lb dumbbells)This is not a kit one wants to assemble, dissassemble, set up in another location. Before buying I knew changing locations & set-up was something I was unlikely to do. (I bought for fairly static, table top use.)I have attached a few photos of my table top set up to show that the amateur guy can make very good use of better lighting.

These things are still working as intended for everything I needed them for and are just the most awesome lights I can think of having. I will say that those stands though, are horrific. Not enough to dock more than a point...as if positioned right I guess they do stand on their own, but any amount of wobble and the light will fall. as the mid piece of the stand will always remain too low to the ground.Update: These have stood up to some awesome, awesome, awesome abuse, and I figured out the stand problem eventually, that was actually my unfortunate ignorance regarding the use of the stand and I eventually resolved the issue by raising the midpoint of the bottom of the stand higher where I did not know how to do so before, and after doing so they stand up well. I have stopped using them only because I'm attempting a new setup and project I am working on now, and have changed cameras to the point that will allow a light reduction in light, just these stands dont aesthetically please the project I'm working on at the moment so they have ceased use, but that is due to my project, and not what I bought these for. Its been a long time, years actually, and the bulbs are even still going strong, at least the ones I havent accidentally broken.I recommend these to high heaven for doing what I was with them, they are amazing and I'm updating my review as I feel I was somewhat too critical of the stands after figuring it out, and I was going through my reviews years later. If they havent updated and cheapened them since I bought them, they are worth more than youll pay.

The truth is…for this price you are not going to get supper heavy duty stuff!!! But for the price and if you take your time and be very gentle with these…I think they can last a long time…especially if you just use them in a studio and don’t break them down. I did a lot of research and this brand may be the best of this kind of lights…and that the screws that hold the light unit onto the stands are made of metal components…most others are made of plastic. (Note: Do not over tighten these bolts…because I read that some people broke these part because of over tightening…just be very easy on these kinds of lights and you’ll be just fine…I did not have this problem…because I am very easy and patient with these lights! If you have a lot of money…go buy more heavy duty stuff!!! But if you’re like me and have a smaller budget and/or can take it easy on these lights then buy these. In my research and my opinion this brand may be the best for this type of lighting!!!I did have a problem…I had two lights bulbs broken when I got it from UPS…but I tell you if you have this problem…don’t send it back…get the number to Amazon from the internet and call them and see what they can do for you!!! Let me tell you this much…I am very very pleased what they did for me!!! Go Amazon!!!

I gave this a 5 because it works really well. But if I could give it a 4.5 I would because it is NOT so easy to set up alone. You will need another person to help you. I cannot imagine taking this up and down too often, but the softboxes are made of sturdy enough vinyl that it seems very possible one could do it.The directions are pretty good, but it will still require one to think for themselves. I am just a teacher who makes instructional videos for my students on YouTube. Thus, for me, the biggest problem I have had in the past is eliminating the shadow my body casts as I try to point to (and write on) the whiteboard.Because this has an inner diffuser and an outer one, the shadows are tremendously reduced. Add this to my standing as far a way from the wall as I can most of the time, and for my purposes, the problem is resolved.For the money, as most everyone else has stated, I do not think you can do better. Kits like this allow average folk to get better results than without any equipment. In this day of the video as a major way to communicate, kits like this are a godsend.Everything is fairly sturdy, the poles, the vinyl and the electrical component. I am not so sure this would work too well outside as they are somewhat top heavy when assembled.