Interfit Super Cool-lite 5 Fluorescent Flood Light with 24" Square Softbox - 120 Watts (120VAC)

Comments about Interfit Super Cool-lite 5:

I bought this lighting setup for a home studio and for taking with me to nursing homes to photograph the elderly. The light is bright and cool enough to keep on for up to an hour at a time even close to the subject. It's not powerful enough for group shots or for shots where the light is a long way from your subject, but close up for half-body and headshots, this light is very good. It can be used as a hairlight for other situations or a backlight. The reflector that comes with this kit is large enough to be used as a small beauty dish, and the sock that goes over the reflector gives a nice soft concentrated light source. This makes the whole kit a very nice versatile combination.

My only peeves with this lighting setup are that it's not quick to setup and you have to remove all the bulbs to put the reflector on and to take it off. This makes setup and takedown take a long time, longer than I would like. A few changes to the design could easily fix this issue. It's also not terribly portable as it doesn't come with a case for the kit.

Comments about Interfit Super Cool-lite 5:

I used it for on location head shots.

As long as you turn off all lights and maybe use natural light as fill it works well.

You do have to unscrew all the bulbs to change from dish to soft box.

Comments about Interfit Super Cool-lite 5:

Using this for video and still shoots.

Pros: I love that the light is daylight balanced and doesn't throw a lot of heat. 5 individual switches allow for precise light level control. Comes with a reflector, a reflector diffusion sock, and a nice softbox. Good little kit.

Cons: The light is daylight balanced, meaning I have to gel it or color correct when shooting in mixed light situations (i.e., tungsten practicals in a room). Really a pain to have to remove the bulbs and protect them each time I take off the soft box, the reflector, or to transport.

Comments about Interfit Super Cool-lite 5:

This a fine combination of possibilities.
I am a professional photographer, studio portraits are my forte. Over 50 years experience.
The light works perfectly.
I began with the soft box to complememt a similar light. Being able to adjust the power is outstanding. Most similar lights do not have this capability.
I have now switched to the parabolic reflector. the changeover was very easy. With the new bulbs the color is excellent.
If you are into continuous lighting this combo is one of the best available ... and the price is right.

Les Jacobs.

Comments about Interfit Super Cool-lite 5:

This is a good video light for those who can't afford the more powerful lights out there. The softbox design creates a nice quality of light, and is powerful enough when used indoors up close. It is not powerful enough to offset sunlit areas, no matter how close you get it to the subject. I tried lighting a subject indoors, using the sun as rim light, but the sun overpowered the video light to the extent that I had to do things differently. The sun was much brighter. Even so, the light is a good buy, and as long as you're not competing with the sun, it works well.

Comments about Interfit Super Cool-lite 5:

Bought this for filming interviews. The amount of light is great. Setup isn't the simplest but it's not too bad - and for the price it's well worth it. It's a bit top heavy so be sure to use sandbags on your light stand.

Comments about Interfit Super Cool-lite 5:

We've used this several times now for indoor studio work, both photo and video. It's essentially a big, adjustable lamp and it works exactly like you think it would. Each bulb has its own switch and the unit really throws light well. For the price, it seems like a pretty great deal - probably because so much of this type of stuff seems overpriced.

Comments about Interfit Super Cool-lite 5:

this light is a true value ,they work great and are easy to use.I love the fact that you can turn each bulb on or off by it self as needed.kool lights are the lighting sorce of the digital age.

Comments about Interfit Super Cool-lite 5:

good beginner light for studio work. very cool and long running.

Comments about Interfit Super Cool-lite 5:

You get a lot of value and flexibility in this light unit. The ability to selectively switch on and off each light (or just keep them on and use the Master switch), the choice between using the included soft box set up or the aluminum dome with shower cap gives you a lot for the money. However, the design is based on traditional bulbs/flashes. In this new era of spiral fluorescent bulbs (5 are included with the package) they are longer and as a group overall, wider than the traditional set up. This means you cant change set ups in a hurry (see below). The cooler (in heat) operating temperatures and color (K) are nice. You may wonder after dinging this item in design and functionality department why I didnt just return it? Again it comes down to value. The closest thing at this price (at this time) had 2 less bulbs and no controllability (fluorescent bulbs are happily dimmable) let alone a softbox option. I just have to plan ahead or make preparations for time in the future. If B&H/Interfit had this unit with just the dome (and a lower price) with the softbox as an option, they would sell even more. In the ad needs to be updated as it does not show the softbox black on the outside and silver on the inside with a white diffuser on the front; the normal setup. My dome was black not grey, silver or translucent like the picture.

Expertise: Semi-Pro

Problems Encountered: I dinged this item in design. Because the fluorescent spiral bulbs are longer and wider as a group and the use of the speed ring for the softbox is not practical. You have to remove each of the 5 bulbs before you can slide the softbox off the light unit. Be careful, the bulbs may still be hot and are $20 a piece! You then have to add the 3 set screws to add the 15 dome and the, in my opinion, slightly too small shower cap diffuser over it. Want to switch back? You have to unscrew the bulbs and unscrew the set screws (the speed rig wont mate otherwise). Another consideration is the added frontal weight of the lightbox. It is relatively light but on my 8 light stand (Interfit Air Cushioned) it is toque-ing it toward the front. You better have a weight or sandbag handy, or heavier, thicker poled, wider stand or it may fall forward from the weight. The lamp shade is fine. The inner diffuser which stretches across the front of the bulbs (you can see the 5 bulbs more readily through the outer light diffuser without it) physically touches the 5 bulbs. While the bulbs run cooler (very warm but touchable) than regular bulbs, I wonder if this will discolor the inner diffuser over time, or worse be a melting or fire hazard.

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Interfit / Paterson Interfit Fluorescent Flood Light with Bulbs, Light Stand

Items I Recommend: Impact Compact Air Cushioned Light Stand, 4 Sections - Black, 8'