Photoflex Constellation3 Fluorescent Light with Case (120-240VAC)

Comments about Photoflex Constellation3 Fluorescent Light with Case (120-240VAC):

Got to agree with the other review of this product. Using the large fluorescent bulbs makes this light so front heavy that it is impossible to balance it - very bad design from Photoflex and very disappointing. I bought the lamp to use for interviews for my television work, but will not actually take it on set because it is completely unsafe and could topple.

So was forced to use smaller bulbs that don't have the same output as I thought I would get with the three 150watt bulbs, in which case I would have been better buying a much cheaper fixture !

One other thing to note is that here in the UK we have had news coverage regarding the UV output from these lamps being dangerous from prolonged exposure, and I have personally fitted a Lee UV filter to all my bulbs, however they are fragile and if they do break, you will be releasing mercury !

Comments about Photoflex Constellation3 Fluorescent Light with Case (120-240VAC):

I like the Constellation3 fixture, and wrote a lengthy review on the B&H website under the Photoflex 150w Fluorescent lamps.

This fixture has a nice rotating ring assembly supporting the Photoflex LiteDome. This makes it easy to orient the light box, though the ring does spin rather freely and does not have a lock, which can make rigging the LiteDome a bit difficult.

I'm enthusiastic about my first daylight source fluorescent. I believe the Constellation3 can also be used with Photoflex StarLite tungsten lamps, though you may want to confirm this with Photoflex before purchase if this application is important to you. If you do use hot lights, make sure you purchase heat resistant LiteDome fabrics, or you are asking for trouble.

I also use Photoflex Starlite fixtures. I find the Constellation3 much, much easier and faster to use than the awkward quad ganged configuration of Starlites.

The one downfall of the Constellation3 is the cheap stand mount. By the time you add all 3 fluorescent lamps to this fixture, each the size of a football, plus a Photoflex LiteBox, you are looking at significant weight. This requires a serious stand, and unless you are hanging the LiteBox from a counterbalanced boom, this light exerts a large amount of off-axis torque on the mount because the whole rig hangs off the side of the stand.

This proposition requires a beefy stand and 50+ lbs. of lead shot on the base to control, or maybe 25+ lb. shot bag on a boom counterbalance.

The tripod-head like mount supplied with the Constellation3 is fairly lightweight, like a Tiltall tripod head. Fortunately, this mount is completely detached from the fixture, so it may be possible to rig something more substantial, or to upgrade if Photoflex goes to something heavier.

Due to the mount limitation, I would not plan to use the Constellation3 with an Extra Large LiteBox. I'm using mine with a Photoflex Large LiteBox, though I think Medium is recommended by Photoflex.So far, the large LiteBox has been workable, with caution.