The Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC) is an economical 100W/s monolight with modeling light and power variator. This kit includes two monolights, two softboxes with silver interiors and mounting rings to soften the light output, two 8' air-cushioned light stands, and a light kit bag for storage and transport.
| Maximum Watt/Seconds | Each Monolight: 100 |
| Guide Number | f/8 @ 10' @ ISO 100, with reflector |
| Recycle Time | 3 sec @ full power |
| Flash Duration |
1/1500 sec @ min power 1/1000 sec @ full power |
| Flash Variability | Full to 1/8 power |
| User Replaceable Flashtube | Yes |
| Changeable Reflector | Yes |
| Modeling Light Wattage | 60 |
| Voltage Stabilization | No |
| Flash Ready Indicator | LED on test button |
| Operating Voltage | 120VAC, 50/60 Hz |
| Built-in Slave Cell | Yes |
| Circuit Protection | Fuse |
| Fan Cooled | No |
| Auto Dump | No |
| Dimensions | Each Monolight: 9.5 x 7.75 x 5" LxHxW (without reflector) |
| Weight | Each Monolight: 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg) |
| Kit Weight | ~10 lbs (4.5 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
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Most Liked Positive Review
Great Strobe lights for the price!
I've used these lights since April of 2006 and they've worked flawlessly. I haven't had any issues with them. I've used the softboxes that come with the kit and they've worked well.
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I've used these lights since April of 2006 and they've worked flawlessly. I haven't had any issues with them. I've used the softboxes that come with the kit and they've worked well.
The air cushioned stands have saved my lights more than once. A great deal to be included in a kit at this price!
I've used my Sunpak flash, aimed away from the subject, to trigger the lights rather than using the sync cables. This works very well as long as the shutter speed is slow enough... under about 250 as I recall.
The only issue with these lights is that the flashtube is NOT user replaceable. At present, there is a listing at B&H for used flashtubes that you can use to replace the tubes, BUT they need to be soldered. (#506937)
However, I've had these strobes for over 2 years before the flashtube gave out. At under $10 a month for lighting, they have been well worth the price.
When the flash finally does give out, it might be just as good to buy another monolight. (And the second monolight in the kit still works fine)
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Most Liked Negative Review
Just not enough juice
Was excited to get this product and it does work well. The bulbs just don't put out the juice I want it to though. I went with Nikon's speed lights instead and they are ...Read complete review
Was excited to get this product and it does work well. The bulbs just don't put out the juice I want it to though. I went with Nikon's speed lights instead and they are more powerful, more portable, and more options in the field.
The kit was actually still worth buying as it comes with a lot of great stuff. Bag, light stands, soft-boxes (just that alone was worth the money. Just don;t care for the lights.
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Reviewed by 61 customers
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
For a first set of "studio" flashes, these are fantastic. Reasonibly quick recharge rate, simple to use, easy setup
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
Obviously it is not professional grade for the price, but it is quality merchandise. I bought it for a home studio and have not had any problems in the month I have owned it. Its great for a beginner like me. Click on the following link to see some photos using this gear. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ekimdnayma/
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
Easy to set up. Great for starters and more advanced. I got this to teach my High school class and wish I had something like this when I was learning.
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
I use this for extra lighting in combinatio with my two othwr strobe lights for onsite locations for portraits, nature, and events.Just to add a little light. I also use
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
The lights work great as long as you know what your doing, and if you don't it is very simple to learn. The only problem I had with them was that the sync chord does not match to my camera. [...] apparently most cameras are made so that they wont fit with the typical sync chord. You're also going to need to get an adaptor which i just purchased for about 20 dollars called an Nias 15. Good lighting kit for photo students just starting out!
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
I bought these lights for an event and they performed flawlessly!. I am used to using wireless strobes which require a lot more on site attention. The Monolight kit was easy to set up and use.
The only thing I found finicky was attaching the softbox ring but that was a minor issue. This system is designed for a small studio setup and has more than enough power for this use.
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
I was looking for monolights compatible with my Elinchrom equipment and the those are.
They're not the most powerful, but for the price, they're perfect for white seemless background lighting.
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
The lights worked great for the small groups I photographed at a wedding. Everything in the kit seems to be good quality for the price but I wish the light stands were a little heavier.
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
This lighting kit is great, setting it up is not hard.
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
I'm using the lighting in a small home studio I have. I do like the ease of use. The softboxes were a bit cumbersome to put together.
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
Given the incredibly low price, I was very impressed at how solid the parts in the kit feel. The lights are housed in a brushed metal frame, which feels very sturdy to the touch. The controls on the back are excellent, and the recharge beep which many reviewers mention (and which I was nervous about) is really not so bad--it's short and very minor.
The kit comes with two stands and a bag, which is very helpful. The bag doesn't have separate compartments for the different pieces, but is well-padded on the outside.
My only complaint is that the attachment ring (in which you click in the reflectors or the softboxes) can be a little wobbly, and it is sometimes hard to find a good fit when inserting an accessory.
But beyond that, this is a great kit for any beginner user of studio lighting!
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
I am just starting my photography. These were very easy to set up and use.
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
use for portrait. Very easy to use.
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
The monolight lighting kit works really good. It took me a while to find the lights that I wanted' so I did some research and got this lighting kit. I dont regret buying this product and I definitely recommend it.
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
I purchased these lights for a small studio shoot. I didn't need a lot of power and having looked at the cost of buying two lights that were equipped with stands and soft boxes, I decided these were good enough. They worked well except they always beeped. The client asked why they made so much noise. It would have been great to say "oh, don't worry I can turn that off." But of course you can't with these. I did get some great shots with these lights. They worked well using the supplied sync cord.
Recently, I powered them up and one of them blew a capacitor in it. I was disappointed but was able to use a reflector for additional fill. Then today about 9 months after I bought them, the second light had two capacitors blow on me. I plugged it in and there was a pop...pop, and then smoke rose up from it. I quickly unplugged it.
I would not recommend these for anyone. If I had brought these on a paid shoot when this occurred and I set off a smoke detector, it could cause a lot of trouble.
I know what you are thinking, why would anyone bring a low cost set of lights on a paid shoot? I wanted a hair light. That's all. I have learned my lesson.
If you want an inexpensive set of lights and you are just learning about studio lighting this might be a decent set for you. Never leave them plugged in and turned on unattended though and learn quick. I am not sure why mine both broke down on me within a couple weeks of each other, but I am very disappointed to have to go out and purchase additional lights.
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
It's a great starter lighting kit, complete with softboxes, modeling lights, PC cables, and stands (that will hold umbrellas).
Sync up nicely and work as expected... Definitely worth the price!
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
This kit is very easy to set up and operate. After using a do-it-yourself lighting kit for location portraits, I feel like I'm spoiled with this easy-to-carry kit that works great and produces great color value and in most lighting conditions.
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
I use the lights at home to light portraits and my wifes cake creations. It does the job well, but I have to get additional equipment because I have a Canon T2i and this camera does not provide for manual flash. The problem is that the monolight kit fires with the first flash from the Canon, and therefore there is not light when the camera fires the second flash. This is due to the ETTL of the Canon on one side and the lack of this in the Monolight.
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
After my first poor experience ordering lights [@] I am extremely pleased with these Impact lights. Everything works well and it easily put together. The softboxes are kind of hard to get together but not a bid deal. Overall, its a quality kit especially for the money. Use it mostly for tabletop shooting and portraits.
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Comments about Impact Two Monolight Kit with Bag (120VAC):
Very portable for those "on the go" locations as well as home studio applications. Very easy to set up and start shooting within 15 minutes. As a hobbyist this was my inexpensive solution which gave great results.
As a side note: I wanted to wire one of the lights direct to my camera (T2i), however the provided PC cable requires a hot shoe adapter, sold separately. Alternate solution... you can just trigger the mono-lights as slave flashes triggered by your camera flash, but you may have to play around with removing shadows.
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