KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

Hi guys, do any of you have any experience using "newer" studio lights for backdrops? Are they any good, or maybe you could suggest an alternative. Thanks in advance.
Ray.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Are you asking about Neewer, the brand?
https://neewer.com/collections/monolight
Can’t comment on them.
I have a mix of Bowens and Godox.

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

Sorry, I should have mentioned, softboxes for studio backlighting. And I'm looking at that brand, (neewer), but I'm open to suggestions.
Ray.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I use Paul C Buff White Lightning and Einstein. Also their alien bee ringflash. I bought them because I didn't want to break the bank and if I took one for a shoot at the river and it fell in I could afford to replace it. Softboxes and other light modifiers are inexpensive compared to the major brands. I have had them for at least 12 years. I planned to upgrade to better lights when I bought them but never felt the need to after using them.

I am a little rough with my lights and have had to send three of them to Paul Buff for repair. (ie:One time a light was on a light stand and I tripped over the cord causing the stand to fall over and the light crashed onto a concrete floor).
Each time I sent in a light for repair the turn around was about a week and regardless of how much they fixed it was always like $54.00 for the repair.

Customer service is great. I have called several times with questions about the lights. I was talking to a knowledgeable person within minutes and they took their time explaining things until I understood it. They are a pleasure to do business with.

I don't think you could go wrong with these.

https://www.paulcbuff.com

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

HI Jim, thanks for the reply and information, I'll definitely look into those.
Ray.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

I have been using Paul C. Buff's Alien Bee's for 15 yrs or more I have only had trouble with one I sent it back it was repaired and returned in less than three weeks.
I now have 5 B400' 1-B800 and 1- B1600, I am using the older remote trigger and a wired remote light controller , I too planned to up grade when I first purchased but have found no need.
I haven't been using my lights for quite sometime now, but I do take them out a fire them twice a year to keep the Capacitors from dying. I do use a couple for my indoor closeup.
All of the PCB light modifiers are very reasonably priced and work very well. if you don't plan on keeping your light boxes set I suggest you go for the pop-open's, the folding boxes take up less room when your traveling but the can be a bitch to assemble.
You can see the results of using these light on my Pbase pages.

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

HI frank, thanks for the reply and the info, I'm definitely looking into this setup. Just another question, I already have several neewer lights with remote triggers, would the alien bees be compatible with those, or would I need to replace what I already have? Again, thanks for the help.
Ray.

Haydon

I'd look into CheetahStand light modifiers. They're the right blend between economy and durability. Importantly, you will have to know the light modifier mount is to pair them correctly.

https://www.cheetahstand.com

uhaas2009

I chose flashpoint because it’s an Adorama brand and warranty. I have a greater selection on different light sizes. I have the 360 and the 600 but if I go different locations I never take the 600 is to big and heavy. The 360 is lighter and smaller

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

I'M not sure but the may work as optical Slaves

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

Good post. Thank you. I have Godox speed lights and Stella Lights. Both great. I also bought 2 Neewer led panel kits with stands, because of price. Have never used them, but they appear to be ok. I was particularly pleased with the price, and that is why I bought them. In looking at their site, they have quite a bit of useful lighting equipment and backdrops at very reasonable pricing compared to Buff, Godox and Stella, however, decision really depends on how much and how you will use them. These seem to be more of a light use solution. I would not expect them to last like the others.

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

One quick story. I bought a soft box from Neewer, and due to the way it was packed, I accidentally cut the flap on the bag that holds it. I wrote a letter to Neewer, and they sent an entirely new soft box to me. So yes, this is a company that stands by its products, as economical as they are!

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

I have lots of Neewer stuff and it *all* works fine. Sure, there is a *cheapness* factor, but absolutely the product(s) do what's advertised. YMMV.

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

I think much depends on the performance you expect to get from them. Some years ago I got 3 of the Flashpoint flashes from Adorama and they've worked well for my simple needs. I'm sure you get what you pay for if you plan on capturing water drops or splashes you may need to get better lights with a guaranteed flash duration. If you plan to do professional product photography you may need to invest in better lights that guarantee color temperature accuracy. Some lights will pair with your metering system and give you TTL flash metering instead of doing it manually. Some lights have faster recovery times.

Nailing down your expectations will help you determine what to buy.

For about 5 years now my cheap Flashpoint lights have never let me down, haven't even had to replace a flash tube. They've gone through about 20,000 actuations. I suspect Neewer will do about the same?

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

I don't think you want to be using soft boxes for backlighting no matter whose they are. Soft boxes are better for fill and key lighting but not the way to go for backlighting. Backlighting is a light that is aimed towards the camera (or in that general direction) from behind the subject. Light boxes are too big and non directional. Lens flare would be a major issue if you can't gobo or block the stray light from hitting the lens. If your studio or shooting space is really high you might use them by aiming them almost straight down from above but they wouldn't be very controlable. Usually back lights are more directional and controlled with grids and barn doors or even cardboard and clamps. If you really meant back lighting and not lighting the back ground you might want to study some lighting setups before you decide what to buy.
...Cam