Interfit INT482 Monstar One Light, Three Lamp Fluorescent Kit (120VAC)

Comments about Interfit INT482 Monstar One Light, Three Lamp Fluorescent Kit (120VAC):

I have used these lights for video as well as stills. They are very reliable, but a bit clunky to put up and take down. The stands are functional, but I prefer a good set of c-stands and a sandbag on each (I bought the kit for the lights... not the stands).

Comments about Interfit INT482 Monstar One Light, Three Lamp Fluorescent Kit (120VAC):

A lot of light for not too much money. I haven't had any trouble with the bulbs like other people have mentioned. No problems with it all. Several design features are better than some of the much more expensive competitors.

I haven't had any trouble with the stand, either. Supports the whole thing just fine in my experience.

The case it comes with works pretty well too.

Highly recommended.

Comments about Interfit INT482 Monstar One Light, Three Lamp Fluorescent Kit (120VAC):

Excellent cool light option for continuous lighting though they only recommend it stay on for 4 hours at a time. Definitely cumbersome but until LED's are cheaper and better developed, this is a useful fluorescent for studio use given its modifying options. One ridiculous design flaw is that the umbrella hole is inaccessible because of the black body disc of the head.

Comments about Interfit INT482 Monstar One Light, Three Lamp Fluorescent Kit (120VAC):

These lights are big. They are easy to setup and take down. Other reviewers have mentioned that it would be nice to have the lamps stay in the head when packing it away and it would be nice to be able to use the light box for other applications (collar doesn't remove). I agree. To improve on this product here are suggestions if you're going to buy: Get century stands (C-stands) and sand bags for each head. The supplied stands are too small, but nice for accessories. Accessories like, flags. If you don't have a huge area to shoot in, you will need to flag off the lights from background, camera, etc... Because the box is so big is throws a beautiful soft light, but it throws it everywhere. A reflector for this setup would be nice. So, flag it off. Another, get a bunch of replacement lamps. I bought two of these heads and two of the six lamps (there's three per head) are dead on the first use (one DOA). The lamps seem very fragile, but when they do work they throw a good amount of light without the heat[...] by spending another $600 I could get more reliability. My recommendation is solely based on a price conscience shopper that is willing to put up with the problems mentioned above.

Comments about Interfit INT482 Monstar One Light, Three Lamp Fluorescent Kit (120VAC):

This light comes with an octagon softbox that makes the light that it throws very even and soft. I'm using it for video, which makes the size of these lights a little bit much for shooting on location. The bulbs are $100 each so keep that in mind. Generally, you have to completely break everything down, put the bulbs back in their boxes (don't throw those away), and break down the softbox, stand, etc...
Two things: I will probably have made a foam cushion that slides in between the three bulbs and over the top so that I can leave the bulbs screwed into the light. Second annoyance is that the speed ring for the softbox is not removable, nor is there a standard reflector (although you could just use the softbox without diffusers). Almost perfect. If you can stand the size and don't want to use the softbox for other applications, great price for a ton of light. I bought two.

Comments about Interfit INT482 Monstar One Light, Three Lamp Fluorescent Kit (120VAC):

In checking out the Interfit Monstar Fluorescent Light, I discovered several things. Before I go further, let me say that "for the price" this is an excellent value. That, is the nub of the problem. It is too much kit for too little money, and something has to give.

The "Head" seemed to be very well made and quite solid. The rest, not so much. The Light stand is totally INAEQUATE for a light of this weight. Fine for a small shoe mount flash, but that's it. The Octa-Softbox will never be mistaken for a Plume or, even a Chimera, but it seems to be adequate. The case you receive the kit in, appears well made. The supplied lamps are large, and appear to be fragile. Two out of the three, malfunctioned upon opening One final note. Interfit is VERY responsive to any problems you may encounter, and seem to do their best to try and rectify any you are experiencing.
I would recommend this WITH THE ABOVE RESERVATIONS.