Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight

Comments about Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight:

I'm a pro photog and needed a low power monolight for location shoots that put me in small rooms and call for strobe but need shallow depth of field. I wanted to stay with Photogenic because all my other equipment is that brand. It's very nice to take such a light weight light on location. I'd replace all my location lights with this IF it were more ruggedly constructed and IF the flashtube weren't so delicate. I feel very tentative about changing modifiers too often for fear of breaking the flashtube. Also, the power switch is cheap...I do wish it were a rocker switch. Oh, also, the modeling light is either on or off....not variable power. All of these features would be found on a more expensive light, so all in all, I feel like I got my money's worth for a less expensive Photogenic monolight. If I find it is just too lightly built for location work, I'll still use it every day as a background light in the studio.

Comments about Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight:

Portraits are my most important product for the monolights, although I will use them with a light tent for commercial work. The controls worked as advertised. On the negative side, there should be a better way to mount the flash tube. Banana plugs do not seem secure. We will see.

Comments about Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight:

Very easy to use and enough power for portrait setup. The price is right for the job it does. Recycle time is good. Very easy to attach to light stand and easy to operate. Great for beginners.

Comments about Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight:

Pros:
Comes with everything you need to get started
Lots of Light for the price
Tubes are easily replaceable
Easy to tote around - weight and size
Has optical slave
Work great in pairs with Cowboy Studios wireless
Head is built in - ready for stand

Cons:
Plastic
Larger than Alien Bees

Comments about Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight:

good: clean balanced light, so far as I can tell. Lightweight.bad: a sensitive photo cell was listed as a selling point. It is not sensitive (compared to much cheaper lights). The on/off switch is a 3-way switch, the middle setting, on without model light, is difficult to stop at. Not a problem if you always want the model light, irritating if you don't.

Comments about Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight:

This unit seemed reliable until recently when the plastic in which the metal reflector attachment ring is housed melted during a shoot. This is not a professional grade product.

Comments about Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight:

I wish I would have realized that it came with a pc cable but I must have missed it. I have been using these lights for years - great performers.

Comments about Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight:

This is the fifth StudioMax that we purchase, for our mobile studio setup. It makes sense to mix 320 W/S and 160 W/S units because most light settings involve different power levels for the different lights. This type of light can suffer color drift at very low power settings. The StudioMax units are pretty solid. They allow the user to change the flash tube (always carry a spare), and the 160 and 320 use the same tube. A large array of accessories for light control make this a very comprehensive lighting solution. The units are relatively lightweight.

Comments about Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight:

I have both a 160 and a 320RF. I use them for products and still lifes where I'm relatively close to the subject with a soft box. They work flawlessly and plenty of power at that distance.

Comments about Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight:

I'm a pro photog and needed a low power monolight for location shoots that put me in small rooms and call for strobe but need shallow depth of field. I wanted to stay with Photogenic because all my other equipment is that brand. It's very nice to take such a light weight light on location. I'd replace all my location lights with this IF it were more ruggedly constructed and IF the flashtube weren't so delicate. I feel very tentative about changing modifiers too often for fear of breaking the flashtube. Also, the power switch is cheap...I do wish it were a rocker switch. Oh, also, the modeling light is either on or off....not variable power. All of these features would be found on a more expensive light, so all in all, I feel like I got my money's worth for a less expensive Photogenic monolight. If I find it is just too lightly built for location work, I'll still use it every day as a background light in the studio.

Comments about Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight:

Portraits are my most important product for the monolights, although I will use them with a light tent for commercial work. The controls worked as advertised. On the negative side, there should be a better way to mount the flash tube. Banana plugs do not seem secure. We will see.

Comments about Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight:

Very easy to use and enough power for portrait setup. The price is right for the job it does. Recycle time is good. Very easy to attach to light stand and easy to operate. Great for beginners.

Comments about Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight:

Pros:
Comes with everything you need to get started
Lots of Light for the price
Tubes are easily replaceable
Easy to tote around - weight and size
Has optical slave
Work great in pairs with Cowboy Studios wireless
Head is built in - ready for stand

Cons:
Plastic
Larger than Alien Bees

Comments about Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight:

good: clean balanced light, so far as I can tell. Lightweight.bad: a sensitive photo cell was listed as a selling point. It is not sensitive (compared to much cheaper lights). The on/off switch is a 3-way switch, the middle setting, on without model light, is difficult to stop at. Not a problem if you always want the model light, irritating if you don't.

Comments about Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight:

This unit seemed reliable until recently when the plastic in which the metal reflector attachment ring is housed melted during a shoot. This is not a professional grade product.

Comments about Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight:

I wish I would have realized that it came with a pc cable but I must have missed it. I have been using these lights for years - great performers.

Comments about Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight:

This is the fifth StudioMax that we purchase, for our mobile studio setup. It makes sense to mix 320 W/S and 160 W/S units because most light settings involve different power levels for the different lights. This type of light can suffer color drift at very low power settings. The StudioMax units are pretty solid. They allow the user to change the flash tube (always carry a spare), and the 160 and 320 use the same tube. A large array of accessories for light control make this a very comprehensive lighting solution. The units are relatively lightweight.

Comments about Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight:

I have both a 160 and a 320RF. I use them for products and still lifes where I'm relatively close to the subject with a soft box. They work flawlessly and plenty of power at that distance.