CowboyStudio Complete Photography/Video Studio Triple Light Kit with Lighing Kit, Background Support System and Black, White and Green Muslin Backgrops

I bought this after much searching on amazon for other similar packages of lights and backdrops. Since I read just about every review ever posted for every single version of this light kit I can say I well knew what to expect. One thing I didn't expect was that I would get a different brand than Cowboy Studio. Instead I got Kaezi Photography equipment which seems to be of similar quality with the exception of some sad looking wingnuts and a few other minor engineering/packaging flaws. But everything arrived unbroken, on-time and functioning as I expected. Here's what you can expect from these kits and how I learned to stop worrying and love this kit:- THE BACKGROUND STANDS ARE VERY UNSTABLE UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE MUSLINS WHEN THE BACKGROUND STAND IS FULLY EXTENDED. - This doesn't mean they won't stand up on their own at all, but you have to be in a very controlled environment with a perfectly flat ground and your models being very aware of their movements. -The top support bar that the muslin slides over bows slightly under the weight of the muslin when you are using all of the support bar sections. A simple vertical support bar can be made for the middle using some PVC and a little ingenuity. and if you use forethought, you'll make the support bar collapsible to the same size as the backdrop stand pieces so it fits in the same case. - CHEAP SOLUTION: This is what sandbags are for and why when you do a search on Amazon for them there are tons to choose from in the photography section. buy some and/or make some and stop chasing falling stands.- THE MUSLINS ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP COMPLETELY WRINKLE-FREE. - if you want wrinkle free it would seem the best solution is to buy a paper roll instead. or a lot of spray starch and just pin them to the walls.- THE LIGHTS AREN'T REALLY BRIGHT ENOUGH FOR MOST SITUATIONS USING SLOWER LENSES(f/3.5-f/4). - The CFS bulbs that come with this kit are almost the brightest bulbs I've seen on amazon with the exception of some 105 watts I found but don't know if that'll be much brighter than the 80 watts the kit includes. The kit is plenty bright for video however. - CHEAP SOLUTION: I use my wireless trigger and flash as my key light and the others as fill/background/hair/etc. only problem with this is you're limited by the sync speed of your flash but 1/200-1/250 is still pretty fast. so, you know, just get more creative. - EXPENSIVE SOLUTION: Is to buy a faster lens...something f/2.8 or faster...you'll like the bokeh better anyway so just suck it up and buy one already. - Another option I saw which I've yet to try and I only advise trying in a highly monitored situation is that you can buy a special plug that screws into the single plug spot and provides 4 light sockets. Again, only try this if you can monitor heat levels and ensure that the housing doesn't get too hot or begin to melt. but considering they're CFS's, maybe it'll work. I would recommend using lower wattage bulbs as long as the equivalent of the 4 bulbs is greater than the wattage of the single bulb. If you try this method, you assume all liability for any damage that may occur to you physically/mentally or to anything on this planet.- THE CARRYING CASE IS BARELY BIG ENOUGH FOR THE BACKGROUND STAND AND A FEW UMBRELLAS. -they have some cheap bags on amazon that look like they could fit not only the light stands but the backdrop stands and umbrellas as well for around $25. I'd just do that though I haven't yet. or find another bag somewhere else. there are no shortage of bags in the world.all in all, I've achieved some absolutely gorgeous photos with this lighting kit which is not to say I didn't wish I could afford more expensive equipment but this will definitely do in the meanwhile. I would recommend this for the anyone who's just getting into learning lighting technique and portraiture. Students could benefit from owning this as long as they understand the difference between this and the equipment they may use in school if they happen to be using more high powered strobes or any professional grade lighting equipment. I bet the lights in this kit perform better for video.

For $130 you can't go wrong with this kit! 3 light stands, 2 umbrellas, 3 muslin backgrounds, the backdrop stands, a carrier case for the backdrop stands!!!! I looked at kits with far less for 3 times this amount before I stumbled across this kit. The only way to improve this is to have a case to carry the lights in and one to store the backdrops in. The backdrops do come all folded and they are difficult to iron all the wrinkles out. I thought I would put one in the dryer with a damp towel. NOT the way to go! This trick works great on shirts but not great on these huge sheets. Ironing worked ok but if you have access to a steamer that is probably the way to go. I have yet to figure out how to store these so that they don't have to be ironed/steamed every time I want to use them. I guess that if you have a permanent studio that is less of a problem. Since I have a portable studio, it is an issue for me. I am completely happy with the quality of everything I received so far. With my portable studio, I can set this up in about 10 minutes time, it is light to pack around, but sturdy enough to support the weight of all three backdrops and then some. I haven't had much experience with lights but I have to agree with several of the other reviewers when they said that the lights were not quite bright enough. I will probably be replacing the lightbulbs with something a little more powerful so that I can set them up a little further away from my clients. They work great if you are looking for a more surreal type of lighting but they are too harsh to use without the umbrella if you are looking for a brighter light. I managed to get the lighting I wanted but the umbrella was literally inches away from my clients face and barely out of the picture. Pretty small complaint considering what I paid and how much I got though. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to further their photography into a studio.

Okay, maybe it's that I'm not a professional photographer, so I'm not quite clear on what some of the negative feedback is referring to. After reading reviews on this, and very similar offerings from other manufacturers, I was half expecting almost "toy-like" stands, lights, etc... While I can't speak to some of the feedback referring to broken items, everything was well packed, well conditioned, and I was shocked at the relative "high quality" versus my expectations. Look, this package doesn't cost $1,000, and I only want it to have fun with the kids (and I won't be packing/unpacking constantly for travel shoots). Everything will stay relatively where it sits right now, so that is not my concern. For more "elites", I wouldn't fathom why they'd even be shopping here for their equipment in the first place. This obviously is not for pros.If you're an amateur just getting into green screen photography, this is a great starter package. Everything you need and I have zero concerns about the light stands. The muslin stand, while I certainly wouldn't mess with it too much and I've warned my kids to not bump into it, etc... I'm satisfied with the ability to withstand any use that I plan on putting it through.I've been using it since it's arrival (1 day early, I might add), and it works great. Pictures are turning out as I had hoped with my first green screen. Through research, I would highly recommend a good software program, and I have just purchased Photokey. Excellent compliment to the green screen.As mentioned in numerous feedback, the screens are pretty light weight, and if you have it in front of a window, you will definitely get a hot spot. Unfortunately, that was my only choice, but easily solved by blocking the light from behind the screen.Hope this helps.