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 $1,000: Tungsten Package: Photoflex Two-Box Starlite Kit
IN THE BOX: Starlite 3200 fixtures (2). Medium-size. SilverDome softboxes (2). Starlite connectors (2). 1,000-watt lamps (4). LS-2218 LiteStands (2). Dome accessory lighting kit. SilverDome grid attachment. 22mm casters (6). Contact: www.photoflex.com; 800-486-2674.
THE SCOOP: Designed for location shooters, this kit comes with a wheeled, pro-caliber transport case that really impressed us with its ruggedness and capacity. The kit also has two super SilverDome Platinum 24x32-inch softboxes, with an interior baffle for even output. Made of heat-resistant materials, the Domes don’t scorch when exposed to the hellish temps of 1000-watt bulbs. Photoflex tosses in adjustable louvers, a strip mask, and a circle mask for the SilverDomes, which are useful for directing light, but awkward to attach, remove, and store.
WHAT’S HOT: Unlike some softboxes, the SilverDomes set up in a trice, and the lightstands’ casters (included) make moving and aiming lights a cinch. The convenient lightstand brackets, with their large locking levers, make tilting the light easy, too. We like the case’s many interior compartments with adjustable walls, cinch straps, and zippered lids. A solid-foam lamp storage cube protects the tungsten bulbs in transit.
WHAT’S NOT: Took some practice to mate lights and softboxes. Extralarge Transpack carrying case wouldn’t fit in our Mini Cooper!
 $1,000: Strobe Kit: JTL Studio Systems TL-510 Soft Box Kit
IN THE BOX: Versalight D 300 strobe. lights with digital remote receivers (2). 24x24-inch softboxes (2). Reflectors(2). #800 lightstands w/ con necting handware (2). Versalight J-160 backlight. #300 backlight stand. Light case. Lightstand case. Contact: www.jtlcorp.com; 714-670-6626.
THE SCOOP: With controls seen on systems costing many times more, the TL-510 kit intrigued us with its wireless remote operation (with optional transmitter), and well-engineered features, such as the 300-watt-second heads that glide on built-in rails. The rails let us find the perfect balance, regardless of the light modifier in use (none, reflector, umbrella, or softbox).
WHAT’S HOT: Heads automatically release excess charge when you dial down flash intensity (no manual discharging required), and flash output is adjustable in 1¼2- or 1¼10- steps. The modeling light can be set to full, proportional, off, or a custom setting. We like the smooth-gliding, air-cushioned lightstands with thumb-flip lever locks. The background light features a built-in umbrella holder and continuous output adjustment from 1¼8 to full power. We also like the generous accessory package, with its barn doors, filters, and gridspots.
WHAT’S NOT: Kit includes the receiver (“E” in photo above) for remote operation, but not the transmitter.
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