Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC)

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

It's good for the price but lacks some features. It is not easy to transport. Most light kits will pack into a case and when you need to use it, you bring out the stand attach the light head and plug it in. This approach is different. The light bulb is totally separate and can not be stored screwed into the head. Well, you can store it screwed in but you would need to unscrew it to disassemble and assemble the light box. That to me is the biggest detractor. The other less than elegant aspects of assembly I can deal with. It's fine if you assemble it once and set up it in a studio, but if you have to go from location to location, you will find it to be quite annoying.

Like many other folks who have commented. One of the light bulbs was broken when opened. It must be how it is packed for so many to end up this way.

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

This was a gift for my son, and even though I waited until the last minute, you shipped it to me in time for Christmas and on time!

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

great lighting for our unique purpose - green screen video that converts into flipbooks - thanks![@]

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

I purchased this because I needed the convenience of picking up shots in my apartment rather than having to reserve a studio every time. I'm not a pro and haven't learned how to work with strobe lighting, so I like the ability to keep the lights running and tailor the look. Buying the additional fluorescent adapters is great--preventing the room and actor from overheating--though the fluorescents don't have the powerful blazing glow like the lights included in the box.

I've been doing homebrew knockouts for a while on a white background, and didn't think the green screen would add much. But it did. It appears to be much faster to knock out the green digitally, though it gets tricky with items such as bottles and glassware. The further you can get your actor away from the background, the better, because there is a tendency to reflect some green onto contours.

They claim the material is wrinkle-proof, but mine seemed a little too wrinkly out of the box. I used a hand-held clothing steamer on it to reduce any harsh lines.

I needed to get the boxes up high, and extending the stands to their maximum made the balance feel iffy. But otherwise, the stands are sturdy.

While the tutorial claims you can get the shots you want with just the two lights, you may wish to get an additional light box. The output of only two lights acting as fill for the background as well as lighting the actor results in an unnatural look with minimal shadows. Sure, it's easy to knock out, but the character doesn't look realistic against the background you throw them on. You can adjust the angles of the two lights, but be careful that you aren't casting shadows on the green screen (that's why having a third light might come in handy here). Allowing for minor directional shadows on the face/body--heck, even trying to match the lighting of your character with the lighting of the final scene--makes a more convincing end product.

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

Awesome Value
Easy to set up and take down
Standard socket for many bulb choices
Nice green screen (Cloth)

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

used for photography/video
Lights and stands are an excellent starter kit
stands are not commercial grade but well made
quick set up and tear down for short shoots, great portability yet still gives enough light
green screen a nice plus

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

This is a great light kit. I expected the stands to be cheap but they are well built. The light is great and really fills out. The green material is about as wrinkle proof as any material can be. I pulled it out of the box and hung it on the wall with no issues.
The only thing that would have been nice fir me would have been some clearer instructions on light placement. The enclosed DVD covers the bases but some graphic instructions would have been nice.

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

I was skeptical about the green screen. But after opening the box, I was pleasantly surprised. It's a good heavy screen with grommets and a pole pocket. Easy to attach to a backdrop pole set. I agree they should just not include the bulbs and lower the price. [...] The lights are great for the price. It's not a heavy duty kit, but if you know what you're doing, you shouldn't need the most expensive lights. I may change my review, as I just set it up. Depending on the shots I get with it, I may go 5 stars. I couldn't justify doing that without shooting it. I just wanted to post a review right away to say, if you're on the fence about it, get it. It's a good kit for the price. You won't be disappointed.

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

I didnt have any problems setting the lights up. It is a great kit for a small studio.

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

I bought this kit to make individual photos of team members and was very pleased. Only problem was with the bulbs there were included in that one didn't work so I replace both with expensive LED floods which I had intended to do anyway. So my suggestion would be to leave the bulbs out and sell the kit cheaper.

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

This lighting kit works well. It could use more light though. The lights give off just enough light to shoot at 1/30th f:4 iso: 400. Shots of people jumping are pretty blurry.

Also the softboxes are attached to the fixtures and I will have to breakout my MacGyver wig to mount flashes in the softboxes.

Other then that everything works well.

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

I would switch the lights it comes with as soon as they burn out,I would suggest the 4 socket adapter with 4 30 watt florescent lamps. they dont get as hot. also not as harsh lighting. Easy kit to put together!

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

I use this light kit for events and Kid parties. The light kit serves it purpose. But just be for-warned have extra light bulb standing by when you order this both bulbs were broken when I opened the box.

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

I WAS TRYING TO GET AN AFFORTABLE LIGHT KIT, BECAUSE I JUST BEGINING IN THIS BUSINESS.I HAD A SMALL BUDGET FOR INVESTMENT. THE ADQUISITION WAS EXCELLENT, GREAT VALUE, GREAT PERFORMANCE I ALSO GET THE 4 SOCKET FLOUORECENT ADAPTER, I JUST INSTALL IN EACH SOFTBOX ,FOUR 25WATTS FLOURECENT LAMP EACH ONE GIVE EQUIVALENCE OF 100 WATTS, SO THE KIT WAS DESIGNED TO ILUMINATED 1000 WATTS, BUT I ILUMINATED 800 WATTS COLD LIGHT AT A 20% OF OPERATIVE COST

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

This a great lighting kit for a great price. If you know what you are doing this is all you need to get "pro-look like" images. The light bulbs that come with it will run hot but those are perfect when you are taking pictures of products or things. For people or animals I highly recommend using fluorescent lights. Although they don't have as much light output as the ones provided in the kit, they are much cooler and won't make your subject sweat. This is a great lighting kit suitable for beginners that can learn the basics before moving to something 5 or 10 times more expensive. If you are thinking about getting one, just get one today from B&H. You won't regret it.

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

Excellent package kit with all you need (almost) included. Very minor but what I found missing that would have been helpful is a carry case of some kind to safely carry your kit. Second helpful item would have been to have some kind of erector kit to prop up and size the green screen for your needs. Other than that it is a greate package providing what you need all (almost) in one.

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

For all the reasons that you always hear, I have shot "available light" my entire photographic career. This has been challenging for me, since I do a great deal of portrait work in my loft. Skylights and huge windows provide the light on sunny days; when the weather turns bad, I reschedule. With my uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit I now have a great way to light the loft on those gray days. But, I have much more. I am now able to learn lighting, and offer my clients studio--as well as my more traditional "natural"--portraits. In addition, the green screen has allowed me to do away with multiple backdrops, and to relocate my clients around the globe. For a fun way to learn, a great way to broaden your offerings, and a quality starter lighting kit, this is the best!

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

These lights, which I use to get reference photos for my portrait painting, provided light that is excellent for painting the face and figure and are very portable.

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

The uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit by Westcott is a great starter kit for green screen photography. Even though the kit only comes with two lights, it was plenty of light to illuminate the included green screen. If you don't have a stand to spread your green screen across, I highly recommend that you purchase one with your order (fortunately I already had one).

Someone just starting out with this kind of photography will not be disappointed with the kit. I was able to take pictures right away once I set everything up - which didn't take long at all. If you have a program like Photokey 3 Pro or a similar software product, it will take all of the green away the minute you drop your picture into the program.

The only complaint that I had was that one of the bulbs was broken in the kit, but I suspect it happened during shipment.

Overall I am quite pleased with my purchase.

Comments about Westcott uLite 2-Light Digital Photo Lighting Kit (120VAC):

So far, the light kit seems good. One of the stands sticks a bit when extending it, but it still extends to its full height. The soft boxes are fairly easy to assemble and collapse. The system seems well made, and produces a lot of light. The 500 watt photo floods are very hot. (Be sure to let them cool for at least 20 minutes before attempting to unscrew them.)

I would recommend getting the PhotoBasics four-socket fluorescent adapter. I'm going to order one. Fluorescents are much cooler to work with and last a lot longer.

Also, if you buy the ulite reflector and a 250 watt photoflood, you can use one of the lights as a separation (aka hair) light, and use a silver reflector for a fill light. This gives you a very versatile lighting system at a very good price.

I haven't tried the green screen yet. I'm not sure what to attach it to. It's very large.