I would never say outright that gear doesn't matter at all. But I do think that having a concept and the skills to capture it are step 1.

If you hand Eddie Van Halen a $100 guitar, he will still sound better than 98% of other guitarists, no matter what guitar they play on.

What gets me is people that are gear-obsessed, or pixel peep-obsessed, to the point where they essentially automatically discount almost everything they see unless it was shot on the exact kit that they think is the "right" kit. The worst of these seem to lack the ability to like anything, because it threatens their smug confidence that they have the best camera and everyone else is an idiot. These are the folks who will quickly glance at whatever image or video you offer them and immediately ask "what did you shoot this on" and if the answer is not the kit they like, they're automatically dismissive or offer "advice" like "yeah those are ok I guess, but you really should be using [insert preferred camera/lens here] if you are serious."

These are often the same people who have taken like at most 10 photos total all year and spent most of their time on the Internet, criticizing everyone else's work and crucifying other shooters over a pixel they don't like when viewed at 8x crop as opposed to getting out and trying to produce art themselves.

To clarify though, of course I agree you should at least use the right type of gear for what your goal is, i.e. don't use a small-sensor point-and-shoot if you are trying to get a large-print landscape in low light or some other challenging goal. And I am well aware of what more pixels can do, etc cetera. But it does get ridiculous really quickly and comes off as a barrier to entry that is both purposefully and inadvertently designed and maintained to keep out the dreaded "amateurs."

Thanks for that post, Timmers.

So, unfortunately I seem to be stuck at step 1 here, and for a very aggravating reason...I didn't really notice til yesterday (when I set out to try digitalbill's suggested steps for testing) that the connector ports where one would plug in an AC cord are housed in perfectly round sockets containing the male plug that is built into the unit's chassis. Unfortunately, after looking at literally every extension cord I have in the whole house and garage, I can't find a single one with a female plug end that fits into this circular port. Every single one of them is too big, due to either/both the bump on the bottom for the 3rd prong, and/or the plastic "nub" commonly found on the top of extension cord female plug ends. I don't feel comfortable shaving these down, especially the bottom bumps. This leads me to believe that these units came with proprietary AC cords, or something like that (?) which I do not possess. Anyone know about that aspect? Suggestions?

No worries, we're good. I get why the replies were what they were, and now you all have more insight into my position as well. I've had a chance to elaborate, and I got some good tips from digitalbill as well. As far as I'm concerned everything is cool. Now I just have to decide if I am indeed brave enough to follow bill's instructions. :) I've already had a few inquiries stemming from my CL ad too, so we'll see how this goes.

Thanks everyone for your interest and again, please feel free to ask me anything if anyone wants more info than was already provided. If I do get a test done, I'll also come back and report the results.

Hi all- I'm struggling a bit with the quote function so I will make clear which person I am replying to in each case.

To roxiemarty:
Although I did not sign up to comment until two months ago, I have been reading forums here for years. In any event, I'm following all the rules, so not sure why you are on my case about that.

As for not testing, I admit freely I am not very familiar with older strobe gear. The reason I said they're not junk either way is that I know that even if they DIDN'T work, there are only so many of these left in the world so maybe somebody would need them to repair theirs. And no, I don't know how to test them. I read that it was easy to blow them up doing it wrong though, and I read it was not nearly as simple as just plugging them in and hitting the button, so I didn't.

You say "find someone who knows about old studio strobes" and to that I reply: "great point...so why doesn't it make sense to you that I went to a serious photography forum where someone would be likely to know about them?"

Would you prefer that I lie and say "Yeah I tested these and they are guaranteed perfect?" I think my post is 100% legit...I gave a completely thorough, true account of the gear, what I know, what I don't know, and complete photo coverage to show every angle of the gear in detail.

To nikonbug: It's true I got them out of an attic...so what? I provided all the info, pictures, and a very frank post. Now a buyer can decide if that's something they want, or not. And a price can be negotiated. How is that different than any other used item? I know I am not going to use these personally cause I don't do studio portraits. So...no "suckering" going on here.

To digitalbill...if that's really the case, maybe I will try it. I just looked at it all, read some articles, and decided I was risking disaster if I just started trying to fire up this type of gear without experience. I chose the guaranteed safe route. I had hoped to get positive attention, maybe even a little advice other than "just plug them in" ...(is it really that simple? Asking honestly) and I'm not sure why this seems to have upset everyone so much.

Guys... This gear is what it is. It's worth whatever a buyer thinks it is/whatever they want to pay in their given situation after viewing all the info (and if possible, the gear themselves in person). How else am I supposed to go about this? It's not like my post is vague, makes crazy promises, or doesn't clearly show the gear.

Hello-

I have these on Craigslist and I may eventually put them on Ebay but I wanted to post here as well due to the appropriateness of the audience.

For sale are:
(1) Norman P2000D
(1) Norman P1250
(1) strobe unit with all parts (see pics)
(1) strobe unit missing one piece (see pics)

****SEE PICS, items shown are all of the actual items for sale!!!!

Please read carefully. I am selling these, hopefully, to someone that knows their way around them. These are UNTESTED but could very well be functional. We all know they are not just junk even if they don't work. I'm willing to entertain offers - provided said offers are not ludicrous. Please don't ask me to let these go for $40 or whatever .

If you are interested in buying them outright, or in coming to check them out first, please contact me. I will answer all reasonable questions but please remember these are NOT TESTED by me.

I will consider selling individual items but prefer to sell as lot. I will also entertain trade offers for other types of photo/video equipment.

I am located in Massachusetts.

(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

Hello ggenova-

It allows one to use Canon EF/EOS lenses on Canon XL series camcorders (XL1, XL2 etc.)

as B&H describes it:

"F Adapter XL Allows you to use over 50 different Canon EF lenses on the XL-1. Simply mount the adapter between the XL-1 and an EOS lens and your capabilities are dramatically expanded. Potential focal range, from extreme wide to super telephoto (in 35mm equivalent), is 24mm to 17,280mm."

from YouTube (a guy reviewing/explaining it):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=qeHov16b0Ko

I have additional detail pictures too if anyone wants to see more.

Hello-
Both these Items are on eBay but i figured why not post here too.

Item 1: Canon EF Adapter XL


Item 2: DVCPROHD FS-100 DTE box by Focus Enhancements

(Download)