Dewman Loc: SW Idaho

Today, I was given a complete Novatron 440 lighting system, including Heavy Duty tripods, four umbrellas, reflectors, light bulbs and the power pack electrical box. It all came in a large, padded, heavy wooden box.

I've never used anything akin to this set-up. So.... do any of you have any experience with it and do you have any pointers you can shoot my way?

Thanks in advance for any help/advice/suggestions.

fstops1957 Loc: New Hampshire

I have a Novatron 600 system that is over twenty years old and still works. The power pack has variable output wattage but the power is evenly distributed to the number of heads that are connected so all heads fire at the same power all the time. BE CAREFUL of the trigger voltage in any of these old studio systems as they can fry the flash sync circuit of your camera and/or some trigger systems. I would never connect this directly to your camera via the pc connector or a hotshoe adapter. Sync it via a radio remote (may fry the circuitry in some of these) or an optical trigger by using the pop up flash on your camera as the trigger source.

roxiemarty Loc: Florida

I have Novatron studio lights, they are old, but very reliable. You will have to have a flash meter, and if you contact Novatron, they will send you a pamplet of information about the setup. They are known as workhorses. I still use mine, bought them when my boss was closing his studio. Mine came with 3 heads, some of which must be stopped down, meaning not at full power. Otherwise you will blow the capacitors. I am not at my home right now, won't be back for 2 weeks, but I can give you any more help then when I get back to my lighting file. I hope I have been some help, I personally think you have been given an awesome gift to experiment with. If you should decide not to keep, please let me know, I might be interested in adding light heads to my setup. Thanks.

roxiemarty Loc: Florida

I also used a hotshoe attachment on my flash shoe. Mine are also the 600, now I use triggers, with a small cord from B&H, so I am wireless.

Dewman Loc: SW Idaho

I doubt very seriously that I will be using this set-up, but I can certainly use the umbrellas. I do a lot of still life photography and they will come in very handy. If you'd like some or all of the heads.... or any of the other parts/pieces of the setup, let me know and we'll see what we can work out. Thanks for the interest.... and the information.

roxiemarty Loc: Florida

I will not be back at my home until May 6th, then I will be interested in discussing this further. I really don't use those white umbrellas, I purchased black lined with silver from westcott. The white ones are good to shoot through,but they tend to leak light. You might want to play with the lights, you might change your mind. Thanks! I hope we were helpful.

Dewman Loc: SW Idaho

Whenever you get back home, get in touch with me and we can discuss it further. Thanks.

roxiemarty Loc: Florida

Sorry I did not get back with you until now. Things have been a little crazy around here. Did you try out your lights? I hope you had time to think over using or not using , let me know. Thanks, Roxie

Dewman Loc: SW Idaho

No, Roxie.... I did not try out the lights. I very seldom use flash and especially in a studio setting. I'm more of an outdoor photographer, with the occasional still life.

Dewey (Dewman)