Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps)

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

We love this light, very powerful.

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

I'm a pin up photographer with a strong preference for continuous light (octagonal soft boxes primarily) . It makes my clients happier and ALWAYS looks great. I was in the market for a new main light and needed one that packed a punch. This fits the bill amazingly. I love the output and the ability to just turn on certain banks and dial the light up and down are amazing. I'm actually off to purchase 2 more so I can replace my current fills. My only gripe about this one is that it doesn't collapse and is a bit of a bear to put together. It also doesn't come with it's own travel housing. I'd love to see either of these improved for future versions. For now I'll keep this guy in the studio and continue to pack my other lights when I travel.

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

I'm very impressed with the quality of this product and for the price you can't beat it. I plan on using this set of lights for a photo shoot, but because I also shoot video they'll also come in handy for that purpose as well. Setup for this light set was pretty easy and straight forward. The ability to turn on which lights you want to enables you to have a variety of light exposure. There are also three stages of diffusion the first would be going with just the deflector. Second is an inside diffuser and third the outer diffuser. Using CFL 32watt bulbs keeps the light set a lot more cool the traditional constant lighting.

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

I'm using this unit and 4 more like it as video studio lighting and have been quite happy with it. Build quality is very good ... a nice sturdy handle, composite metal base, well made softbox and so on. Someone really seems to have put some time into the design of this product. Looks good in the studio, too! My only quibble is that the ballast hums a bit when all 9 bulbs are on. The lavs don't pick it up, but I'd prefer a dead quiet unit. Might not be possible with fluorescent lighting. Otherwise, the unit produces a nice, clean light that I'm registering at 6,500K, which is fine, but is not the 5,500K color temp advertised. I would give this unit 5 stars if the adjustable neck were made of metal, rather than plastic, even though I've had no problems at all with it thus far.

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

I bought these lights for use in my portrait studio and so far I love them. It has been really nice not needing to wait for the lights to recycle like you need to do with strobes. I also love not having a cord to deal with from the lights to the camera. The color is great. I would recommend that you do NOT put the camera on program mode but instead use manual exposure mode. The lights do not create much heat at all. There is a very slight buzz to them but it does not bother me. I tune it out after only a few minutes.

The instructions were not completely clear. Before you screw all the bulbs in you need to put the dish reflector on first. It will not fit over top of the bulbs. That was only slightly frustrating. Also the wires that hold the softbox in place have two different sized ends. It is so slight that I did not notice at first and I realized that the smaller end should go into the light and the slightly larger end goes into the softbox. Some bulbs were broken upon arrival but B&H quickly replaced them.

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

I got two of these for tabletop photography in my home studio. I love the amount of light they put out, and that there are multiple on/off switches. The size is just right for some of the taller products that I shoot. A negative is that they are a bit cumbersome and heavy - a bit too much for my basic light stands. Sadly, I don't have space in my little room for wide-legged stands, which would probably be better. Also, with 9 bulbs each they would be a giant pain to take apart and reassemble repeatedly. I could see leaving them intact and placing them carefully in the trunk of the car if I needed to use them on location, but it would still be a challenge to get them to and fro.

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

Mainly used for shooting video. The different configurations of this unit allow me to achieve any light needed. Switches on the back are perfect.

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

i love this light, it is so soft and the color is amazing....my biggest issue with the light is that there is not enough light...i usually use studio strobes so this is so different...the great thing is that i can shoot wide open and get great background blur...this works great in a 1-2 kids max in studio and light has to be so close or there just isn't enough light. i did buy i second hoping i would get more light but it still was not enough....i love the picture that i have taken with it...it feels like natural available light...i will keep the light but only use for specific jobs otherwise i will continue using my strobes to get more light. i would recommend this light but not as your only light source.

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

This product gives bright fluorescent light. I purchased two of them. I works great for portrait photography. I am satisfied with the lighting and the result. I feel that I have to have a third light from the bottom or a reflector to light up the faces.
Although it takes time to assumble the unit every time, I feel it is worth it.

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

Hardware is put together so well. Always afraid of video lighting and if it's going to feel cheap or not. These are awesome. They hold 9 CFL bulbs. Amazing lights. Very nicely made.

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

I got this light because I needed a quick solution at an affordable cost for occassional work. I couldn't justify buying a kinoflo or another more expensive fluorescent unit so I got this one. It's a nice design and throws a good amount of light. It's perfect for interviews. You may need to add some warming gel or use different color balanced bulbs. It comes with the daylight bulbs and those don't mesh very well with most indoor light situations. The 9 bulbs are definitely powerful enough for an interview at 8 feet from the subject and not so bright that blinds them. I used it as a main light and was great.

The worst part about this unit is that you have to remove the builbs to take the softbox off. This is probably a safety feature to prevent you from leaving the bulbs in and breaking them, thus causing a mercury hazmat situation in your car. Either way, it's a pain.

Could also be used as a continuous light for product photography. If you're on a budget I recommend it, if not you should get a more professional model.

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

I have made the jump from account executive for a cable company to advertising agency owner. Translation, I am now responsible for everything. My fear was that I was going to purchase the wrong equipment because of my lack of knowledge. Fast forward... the Octacool 9 makes a rookie like myself look and perform like a professional. The key for me is the versatility these lights (I bought the kit at a very reasonable price) give me. I can turn off a bank of lights when they are not needed. My friends who have been in the business for years are floored by what they are seeing from this product. A bit bulky yes, but thats a small price to pay for the performance.

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

I purchased this light kit, which included two octacools, light stands, and bulbs. I formally used softboxes that only displayed a constant, non-adjustable light, and I was constantly having to move the lights around the room to adjust the intensity of the lights. With the octacools, I have 5 light switches on each octacool which I can turn off/on to control light intensity. Using fluorescent lights also keeps the room significantly cooler than traditional softboxes - which tend to generate a lot of heat.

The kit included both hard and soft covers.

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

Have only used them a couple times so far but they seem to be constructed well. The two photo sessions I used them on they worked well for me. Would have given them a fifth star except for the fact that their are no ready made containers if you have to transport them. I will figure out something. And taking them apart is an effort. But they do work well. Ordered a light tent this week and will be puting them to the test on some jewelry.

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

Product is high quality, fits the Impact light stand perfectly and is easy to use. Had a question for the helpline, then had no trouble with anything after that. All connections were perfect.
I am an artist, using the lamp for still life and portraits. It is very useful to have separate on/off swithes for each lamp.

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

the kit is very nice and built well, I use the 9 light complimented by a 6 light for fill, I have ordered the three light to use as a hair light.
I use the system in my studio and they are portable enough to use on location, I am very happy with this purchase.

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

I have had continuous lighting in my small home studio for 5 yrs. I first bought a cool light kit with 5 lights...stands...etc for around $600 from another website. After having the lights topple over & break the ($50) bulbs & after the collapsible reflective housing refused to re-open after a couple years of use...I started hunting for a replacement. This light was bigger than any of the 5 that I had before & I planned to use it along with the 3 remaining from my old kit. BUT it puts the old ones to shame & I can see SUCH a difference in quality of light & output, that I now have decided to ONLY use the Octacool light (with all 9 lights on) along with a reflector. This works great along with my large window for fill light. I LOVE this light. It's heavy though & I'd recommend purchasing the proper stand to support it. I may buy another down the road. Plus the bulbs are inexpensive & in a pinch can be found at a local hardware store til new proper temp ones can be shipped.

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

I chose fluorescent lighting for maternity shots and working with our newborn. I wanted nice soft constant lighting and this kit delivered. For large studio shots strobes would be a better option. I feel the soft cool constant light offered by this fluorescent kit is more suitable for infants and small children. A perfect kit for my purpose.

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

Also comes with a metal hood (in case you want to use it for something other than soft light--I don't recall seeing that mentioned in the ad). I would be nice if it came with a travel case.

Comments about Impact Octacool-9 Fluorescent Light with Octabox (9 Lamps):

Professional Product Photography
Provides a very nice soft light
I was very happy with the results.
Easy to set up.