my personal review of the east gear flash strobe kit

lytefunk · 22nd July 2004

Ok, I went down to east gear today and finally got my set =)

$499 for

3 x 120Ws strobes
2 50x70cm softbox (my approximation) - comes with 1 difusser
2 high lightstands
1 low lightstand
1 plastic snoot
3 sync cords
2 extra fuses per strobe
1 bag to contain everything

note: there is no umbrella in the kit now..

ok first, the good..
I tested it with subject at 2.5m from camera, 1 lights at 45 degrees and 1 back light approx 1 m away from the back of subject

good exposure at F16, 1/30 sec

very happy about this point..

but then, theres a list of bad, some significant, some not

1) the snoot is plastic, after a while there seems to be a slight burning smell
2) the soft box is not the usual kit of soft box. in this case, you have 4 screws to screw in to the light head itself, making it inconvenient to remove or adjust
3) following point 2, the screws causes scratch marks on the light head
4) this point is rather critical, not sure if its a flaw of the set or the design. If you leave the lights on for sometime without firing off the flash, and u connect the flash to the camera with a sync cord, there will be electric charges accumulated on the body of the camera itself. Mind you, I'm using a D70, its a plastic body. What this causes is that if you touch the camera then, you'll experience some electric shock or tingling, depending on how long you left it on.

I believe this is due to the fact that the flash heads are made of plastic and there is no grounding in the electric socket (since its a 2 pin plug). Maybe the manufacturers might want to look into this?

Anyway, you can easily overcome this problem by just firing off the flash once before touching the camera

So overall, I'm quite happy with the power of the system, but asthetically, I would prefer more in terms of quick release, easy adjustability etc etc

lytefunk · 22nd July 2004

forgot to add... anybody else experiencing the electric shock effect?
I seem to get it when i'm touching the flash head itself also..

raychan · 27th July 2004

Since it is a 2-pin plug without any grounding, reverse/rotate the plug. This will resolve the electrical leakage. Was told to do that when I complained to the electrician.

Sputnik · 27th July 2004

a also rather important point to take note of
it costs $499

while other normal 500/600W strobes (Bowens/Elinchroms)
will set u back by more than $2k

As such, it'll be important to adjust your expectations accordingly

enjoy your shoots

pit · 27th July 2004

Yes I did get the electrical discharge but only on 1 light. The other 2 are ok.

I'm using a Minolta Dimage A2 and the shock comes from the hand grip sensor which is metal.

Since, I've used my internal flash to fire the strobes. But I set it manually to the lowest setting to not affect the final output.

Might consider an IR trigger instead.

But overall, still good value for money. Had lots of fun trying out several settings.

EOS500N · 27th July 2004

Originally Posted by Sputnik

a also rather important point to take note of
it costs $499

while other normal 500/600W strobes (Bowens/Elinchroms)
will set u back by more than $2k

As such, it'll be important to adjust your expectations accordingly

enjoy your shoots

same sentiments...

surfs · 27th July 2004

Thought it was pretty worth the price too (499 sometimes gets u only one softbox and one tripod). Just get another 2nd hand main light at 500W and you've got a pretty usable and portable set of lights.

Would like a cover thou. The modelling light protrudes and might be damaged when no softbox is mounted. Using the snoot for that purpose now.

Rubber ended screws for softbox mount would be good. It now fits my Bowens light too, just tht have to be careful when screwing.

Maybe Eastgear should explore importing portable batteries for AC. The whole set of lights can then be used on location!

limhousen · 27th July 2004

Wah Lau!

I'm a bit concerned about this electrical grounding issue. The set has PSB safety mark approval or not?

No one should compromise safety for lower price. Strobes can be very dangerous due to the use of large capacitors.

raychan · 31st July 2004

Hi Lytefunk

I've checked the Eastgear's website, but I couldn't find any photos of the setup. Do you mind taking a photo of yours strobe kit and post it for us to see ?

PS: Does it work when you reverse the pins on the power plug ? If not, that means I kenna snooked by the electrician.

Ray

Firefox · 31st July 2004

Should work if you reverse the plug. Then make a marking on it for the Live/ Neutral.

2100 · 31st July 2004

Originally Posted by Firefox

Should work if you reverse the plug. Then make a marking on it for the Live/ Neutral.

It will not work. This is simple physics. The load does not care if it's live/neutral, it's not as if you are using a test pen to test for live and neutral terminals. In reality, it does not work from amplifiers to VCRs to aquarium lights, esp people wouldn't use a ground for the chassis to eliminate slight shocks to users.

Firefox · 1st August 2004

It does work for switchers from my experience. My guess is because the neutral line is connected to earth at some point before the ECB.

22nd July 2004	#1
lytefunk Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 333	my personal review of the east gear flash strobe kit Ok, I went down to east gear today and finally got my set =) $499 for 3 x 120Ws strobes 2 50x70cm softbox (my approximation) - comes with 1 difusser 2 high lightstands 1 low lightstand 1 plastic snoot 3 sync cords 2 extra fuses per strobe 1 bag to contain everything note: there is no umbrella in the kit now.. ok first, the good.. I tested it with subject at 2.5m from camera, 1 lights at 45 degrees and 1 back light approx 1 m away from the back of subject good exposure at F16, 1/30 sec very happy about this point.. but then, theres a list of bad, some significant, some not 1) the snoot is plastic, after a while there seems to be a slight burning smell 2) the soft box is not the usual kit of soft box. in this case, you have 4 screws to screw in to the light head itself, making it inconvenient to remove or adjust 3) following point 2, the screws causes scratch marks on the light head 4) this point is rather critical, not sure if its a flaw of the set or the design. If you leave the lights on for sometime without firing off the flash, and u connect the flash to the camera with a sync cord, there will be electric charges accumulated on the body of the camera itself. Mind you, I'm using a D70, its a plastic body. What this causes is that if you touch the camera then, you'll experience some electric shock or tingling, depending on how long you left it on. I believe this is due to the fact that the flash heads are made of plastic and there is no grounding in the electric socket (since its a 2 pin plug). Maybe the manufacturers might want to look into this? Anyway, you can easily overcome this problem by just firing off the flash once before touching the camera So overall, I'm quite happy with the power of the system, but asthetically, I would prefer more in terms of quick release, easy adjustability etc etc __________________ Do life. Live visually.

22nd July 2004	#2
lytefunk Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 333	forgot to add... anybody else experiencing the electric shock effect? I seem to get it when i'm touching the flash head itself also.. __________________ Do life. Live visually.

27th July 2004	#7
surfs Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 323	Thought it was pretty good too Thought it was pretty worth the price too (499 sometimes gets u only one softbox and one tripod). Just get another 2nd hand main light at 500W and you've got a pretty usable and portable set of lights. Would like a cover thou. The modelling light protrudes and might be damaged when no softbox is mounted. Using the snoot for that purpose now. Rubber ended screws for softbox mount would be good. It now fits my Bowens light too, just tht have to be careful when screwing. Maybe Eastgear should explore importing portable batteries for AC. The whole set of lights can then be used on location!

27th July 2004	#3
raychan Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Hillview Posts: 333	Since it is a 2-pin plug without any grounding, reverse/rotate the plug. This will resolve the electrical leakage. Was told to do that when I complained to the electrician.

27th July 2004	#4
Sputnik Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 216	a also rather important point to take note of it costs $499 while other normal 500/600W strobes (Bowens/Elinchroms) will set u back by more than $2k As such, it'll be important to adjust your expectations accordingly enjoy your shoots

27th July 2004	#5
pit Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 139	Yes I did get the electrical discharge but only on 1 light. The other 2 are ok. I'm using a Minolta Dimage A2 and the shock comes from the hand grip sensor which is metal. Since, I've used my internal flash to fire the strobes. But I set it manually to the lowest setting to not affect the final output. Might consider an IR trigger instead. But overall, still good value for money. Had lots of fun trying out several settings.

27th July 2004	#8
limhousen Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 281	Wah Lau! I'm a bit concerned about this electrical grounding issue. The set has PSB safety mark approval or not? No one should compromise safety for lower price. Strobes can be very dangerous due to the use of large capacitors.

31st July 2004	#9
raychan Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Hillview Posts: 333	Hi Lytefunk I've checked the Eastgear's website, but I couldn't find any photos of the setup. Do you mind taking a photo of yours strobe kit and post it for us to see ? PS: Does it work when you reverse the pins on the power plug ? If not, that means I kenna snooked by the electrician. Ray

31st July 2004	#10
Firefox Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bedok Posts: 716	Should work if you reverse the plug. Then make a marking on it for the Live/ Neutral.

1st August 2004	#12
Firefox Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bedok Posts: 716	It does work for switchers from my experience. My guess is because the neutral line is connected to earth at some point before the ECB.