Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit
The Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit holds 2 Gemini 500R monolights, which have the unusual ability to operate from standard AC power, or from the Travelpak portable battery unit, making this powerful monolight a good choice for versatility as well as control. The simplicity of analog dials with the precision of digital control makes the Gemini 500R a joy to use. One dial easily changes output in 1 f-stop stages, another in 1/10 f-stop steps, to set power over a 5 f-stop range. One switch changes modeling light from full power, to proportional (to actual flash output), to off, or you can choose the model light level. The 500R has a card slot which will accept an optional radio trigger card compatible with the Pulsar, PocketWizard, or Litelink radio systems. And the monolights can also be controlled (including all basic features and advanced settings from up to 32' (10 m) away with the optional Bowens RC3 IR remote handset.
In addition to the 2 monolights, this kit gives you 2 light stands, 2 white/silver umbrellas for light modification, 2 wide angle flash head reflectors, a sync cord, a user's guide and a rolling kit case.
- Twin-dial power control system - offers flash power adjustments in exact 1-stops, or 1/10-stop adjustments
- 7-segment LED display
- Infra-red remote control capabilities
- Plug-in radio trigger module facility. Modules available for Bowens Pulsar & PocketWizard radio trigger system (modules sold separately)
- Auto dump
- Audible & visual "ready" indicators
- Advanced photocell
- Side & rear function display LEDs
- Other functions include Invert Display, Lamp-Saver Mode, Flash Count
- AC or battery powered (compatible with Travelpak battery)
- Compatible with all "S" type attachments
| Maximum Watt/Seconds | 500W/s |
| Guide Number | 278 ft/ISO 100 (85 m/ISO 100) |
| Recycle Time | 1.3 sec. |
| Flash Duration | To t=0.5 1/900 sec. |
| Flash Variability | 5 stops 15W/s - 500W/s |
| User Replaceable Flashtube | Yes |
| Changeable Reflector | Yes |
| Modeling Light Wattage | 250 |
| Voltage Stabilization | +/- 0.5% |
| Flash Ready Indicator | Yes, visual and audible |
| Operating Voltage | 90-120V 50Hz |
| Built-in Slave Cell | Yes |
| Circuit Protection | Yes 5A(F) Fuse |
| Auto Dump | Yes |
| Dimensions | 6.75 x 15 x 5.25" (17.14 x 38.1 x 13.33 cm) |
| Weight | 7.5 lb (3.4 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 26 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Durable (18)
- Good power output (14)
- Good color value (9)
- Long-lasting (8)
- Attach securely (6)
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors (12)
- General purpose (11)
- Outdoors (9)
- Portraits (8)
- Studio (7)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Semi-pro photographer (10), Pro photographer (6), Professional (4)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (15)
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 26 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Durable
- Good Color Value
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
Very good quality lights. Solid construction and function.
Carry bag isn's as nice with all the Velcro latching and the stands are a bit flimsy.
Still incredible value.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
Cons
- Flimsy
Best Uses
- General Use
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
its easy to use, and very practice
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Good Color Value
- Great Features
- Powerful Modeling Lamp
Cons
- Umbrellas Small
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Live events
- Outdoors
- Special Events
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
Great quality system. Use for still, live event photography on location, and use the powerful quartz modeling lights for video production. Very well built. Would buy again 100 times over.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Color Value
- Good Looking
- Long-Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
- Bag is a little flimsy
Best Uses
- Indoors
- Low Light
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
Overall I love this kit. Bowens makes great product. Easy to sue. I bought the PcoketWizard cards, and my only iusse is that one light doens't always fire. Im not sure why and can't find easy support. Alsosoft bag is OK, but not as sturdy as I would hope.BUT, the overall build and quality is excellent, so much better than much of what is on the market.[...]
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Durable
- Good Color Value
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Low Light
- Night Time
- Outdoors
- Special Events
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
This kit is all you really need as a starting strobist. Best bang for your buck fore sure. Everything fits neatly in the case. Strobes fire accurately, their light and durable. The light stands are a little weak so I would make sure your surrounding are is safe. But other than that I'm pretty satisfied.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Good Color Value
- Long-Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
Very nice the reaction they have, very usefull, I like the size and how they look like.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
I have used JTL lights at my work for about five years. When i decide to get my own set of lights for home, i picked this kit up. The flash works as expected, but what I appreciate the most are the details in how the everything functions. The connections are smooth, the dials are clear, and the layout seems to be really well thought out. So, yes the strobes are really great. However, I deducted 1 star for the following reasons. There is no glass bulb over the strobes in the front. I knew this before buying these, but really, it should have this to protect the light. Second, the accessory kit is not good. The stands have no air cushion which means if you use them long term, at some point your lights are going to come crashing down. Also, the umbrellas are ridiculously small, making them almost useless. I wish they would just give us the right accessories and charge the $30 or $40 more.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Long-Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors
- Outdoors
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
I've been using Bowens for 2 years now and have had nothing but luck with their products. The newly redesigned monolights work like a charm, are built like tanks, and are 100% reliable. They can handle a good deal of abuse, work great on location and in studio, and are easy to use.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Durable
- Long-Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Outdoors
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
I use this product to make studio and location shoots, it´s very powerfull and robust case is perfect for busy days, I also like the adaptibily to accesories or other brands, it´s like everything I alredy have, fited on my bowens
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Outdoors
- Special Events
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
A great kit for family shots!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Durable
- Good Color Value
- Long-Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
- Poor user guide
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Outdoors
- Special Events
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
This is a great kit, that can give you a lot of possibilities to create lighting effects. The user guide should present more informations and should be translated (french, spanish, etc.).
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Location
- Low Light
- Night Time
- Outdoors
- Wedding
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
The travel pack is great. I do weddings and location shots. The unit has add soon. So far I am impressed and happy with these units.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
This is a great kit for all purposes.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Durable
- Good Color Value
- Long-Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Night Time
- Outdoors
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
I am a studio & outdoor photographer, but so far I've only used these lights indoors. I love the lights -- they are a dream come true after my last ones! It's fabulous also that they have the battery option as well; it makes them very versatile. The case is all velcro and not as sturdy as the one I already had on hand, but hey, I wasn't purchasing these for the case anyway -- it was just a nice bonus that came with the lights.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good bang for your buck
- Good Color Value
- Long-Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
- Cheap accessories
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Low Light
- Night Time
- Outdoors
- Portraiture
- Special Events
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
What you've got here is a mix of good quality pro lighting(the 2 Bowen's 500R mono lights which you'll love using,these are very nice) and fairly inexpensive accessories(stands,reflectors,umbrellas) which you'll probably want to upgrade for better lighting modification.However,that said; this is everything you need to get started and take some great pics at a reasonable price and I recommend it highly!The bag with wheels thats included seems like it will do the job at transporting this mini studio fairly well and for quite a while if handled carefully!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Reliable
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Studio
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
I has been looking for lights for over 3 months reading reveiws looking videos comparing price, shape, details.
After a while I decided for bowens, this kit is just amazing.
If you are looking for a studio lighting kit i will strongly recommned to buy this one.
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Reliable
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- On location
- Portraits
- Studio
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
I use this kit for on location portrait lighting. It is extremely easy to set up, extremely easy to use and works wonderfully. I think I'd have more to say if it didn't work well, but I'm in love with this lighting kit. I also plan on adding the travelpak battery to it down the road.
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Studio
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
I am a beginning photographer. This was a great purchase. It is an easy setup and take down. They work perfectly and the case is strong. The set is portable, but has plenty of power for large group photography. I would recommend it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Studio
- Traveling
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
"used for portraits, group photos
straight forward controls, plenty of power, excellent results. they are definatly quality units, the only negative is the case, every thing is velcro-ed togather but the lights are quality "
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Portable gear
- Portraits
- Studio
- Traveling
Comments about Bowens BW-4805USD Gemini 500R 2-Light Kit:
This is a great Kit for all purposes
Well constructed, sturdy and comes with a soft case that is good enough to travel.
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Lamps /Tubes /Flashtubes
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Stands & Support Equipment
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- Price: $35.06
What's in the Box
- 2 x Gemini R500Ws Monolight
- 2 x Umbrella--3' (92 cm) Silver/White
- 2 x Compact Light Stand
- 2 x 120° Wide Angle Umbrella Reflector
- 2 x Flash Tube
- 2 x 250W Modeling Light Tube
- Sync Cord
- 2 x Power Cord
- Rolling Kit Case
- User Guide
- 1 Year Manufacturer's Warranty
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