Impact VSD400 Digital Monolight - 400 Watt/Seconds (120VAC)

Comments about Impact VSD400 Digital Monolight - 400 Watt/Seconds (120VAC):

I bought this as a kit. I think it was a fair price for the kit and great to get started with lighting equipment. I like that you can adjust the intensity of the lighting. Recently though the lights don't always fire when I take the picture. That could be user error, not sure yet! I am still learning how to use everything, but so far I have been able to get nice product shots of string instruments really showing the beauty of the wood.

Comments about Impact VSD400 Digital Monolight - 400 Watt/Seconds (120VAC):

I usually use it to shoot indoor studio photos.
its great quality and a great money saver item.
One bad part is little bit of uncomfortableness taking on/off the soft box.
Especially after the use of the lights. (Light bulbs are really hot and you have to put your hand very close to it in order for you to take it off)

Comments about Impact VSD400 Digital Monolight - 400 Watt/Seconds (120VAC):

I purchased this product as part of a 3 monolight package (2 VSD400's and 1 EX100A) that also included 3 stands (one a boom stand), 2 umbrellas, a soft box and a radio controlled trigger. My review will reflect not only my satisfaction with this particular product - but with the entire package. Some of you who are reading this review will want to check out the package deals that include this product. I would certainly recommend a package if you are looking for a complete set up.

To begin with - I was impressed with the amount of quality equipment for the cost. The package is a great option for those who need a pro-quality lighting set up at a reasonable price. I suspect that if I was a full time pro I might want something more substantial -- but since I only shoot part time and did not want to spend a fortune on lighting equipment -- this was a great buy.

The product is well designed. It has a nice tactile feel. It has intuitive controls. I had it out of the box, set up, and working within a half hour. I use it for individual, couples and small group portraits, and for photographing objects. The results of my test shots were fabulous, as were my first sessions with real people. I am looking forward to experimenting with other uses.

One of the better features of the VSD400 is its ability to auto-dump excess power when "dialing" down the flash. I'm one of those people who always seems to forget to manually change the all settings when I take a new picture. I cannot count the times my white balance was off or that I didn't increase or decrease the ISO appropriately. Anything that adjusts automatically is great for me!

So if you are thinking about this product, go for it. I give it four stars - and for me that is pretty much a top rating because I like to keep the five star rating for those relatively few items that are truly the best of the best.

Comments about Impact VSD400 Digital Monolight - 400 Watt/Seconds (120VAC):

I purchased this light as part of a kit in order to begin doing some studio work. The monolight itself is pretty well built, functions intuitively, and is easy to set up. The rest of the impact products are great as well, but I will caution that you get what you pay for. They definitely represent a good value and are fine for the hobbyist, but if you are looking to use the products for professional applications you should definitely spend more money and get some products that are build more durably.

Again, not complaining because they do the job for me, but everything about the kit contents is pretty cheaply made. Still works though.

Comments about Impact VSD400 Digital Monolight - 400 Watt/Seconds (120VAC):

Plese notice that is a excellent product but when you recived the item, is important to arm all the items that come with the light and try them. I give 4 stars, because it work incredible but it came with the model light bad.

Ask for replacements lights.

Comments about Impact VSD400 Digital Monolight - 400 Watt/Seconds (120VAC):

Modeling light deserves an excellent mark, in my opinion. Bulb is easy to change as well as the flash tube. Excellent marks for the digital controls on the back. Gotta love the optical sensor for slave or primary flash. Stand base is my only beef. Why have a possible 12' stand with a less than 2' base, it's GOING to tip over with out a heavy bag. That's it though. The head it comes with directs light with excellent focus, no surprises. **Note the bulb it comes with leaves something to be desired. Get a better one. The long tube makes a "flashlight" effect on your subject if used at a close range, small dot in the middle ring around the outside. Get an eddison style bulb @ the same wattage @ [...] for $3.