New eBay Studio Issues
On 6/20 I bought a Continuous Photo Video Studio 3 Softbox Lighting W/ Backdrop Stand Kit on eBay. It arrived last night via UPS (a little faster than expected, great!) & I set it up to take some test shots of my kids.
Unfortunately, it has some minor issues. The black muslin has a snag in it, in an unfortunately prominent location. Not the end of the world, but disappointing considering it's brand new. I'm hoping the Muslin Protector hides it well enough that I don't have to fix it in Photoshop. The green appeared to be ok and I have not yet opened the white. the bag that holds the backdrop stands has a small hole in it, again, not earth-shattering, but disappointing. Incidentally, there is no amount of light I can put on this green to make it look like the picture (it's way darker), but my software doesn't seem to mind, so I don't really care, other than not being an accurate representation. The description accurately measures the lightboxes, but in the photo, they are square, also not really an accurate representation.
Unfortunately, it has some minor issues. The black muslin has a snag in it, in an unfortunately prominent location. Not the end of the world, but disappointing considering it's brand new. I'm hoping the Muslin Protector hides it well enough that I don't have to fix it in Photoshop. The green appeared to be ok and I have not yet opened the white. the bag that holds the backdrop stands has a small hole in it, again, not earth-shattering, but disappointing. Incidentally, there is no amount of light I can put on this green to make it look like the picture (it's way darker), but my software doesn't seem to mind, so I don't really care, other than not being an accurate representation. The description accurately measures the lightboxes, but in the photo, they are square, also not really an accurate representation.
Speaking of the light boxes, I use CFLs (13watt) everywhere in my home. I have 4 in my livingroom light fixture. These did not seem to be 4 times brighter, so today I took a lightbox to work & put it on a meter (below). Running all 4 bulbs, it fluctuates (fluctuation is normal) in the 90watt range. They are also noticeably cooler than my flash.
90 watts for 4 bulbs is not 45 watts each!
From the listing:
From the listing:
I have a 500 watt halogen shop light. Theoretically, based on the above you could expect (4) 200 watt equiv to be brighter than (1) 500 watt bulb, but these (if you'll forgive the pun) don't hold a candle to 1 500 watt bulb - not even close!
So, am I satisfied with my purchase? Would I leave positive feedback?
Well, not really. It's awesome to have a setup for taking pictures of my kids & I can overlook the other issues** (even the balancing of the bulbs, I know how hard it is to balance bulbs), but the brightness of the bulbs is really souring me on the deal. I created this page for the seller to see (if you are reading this, you are likely either the seller or family as this page is not linked currently) to help me work out a solution. I don't want to pay return shipping any more than you want to process a return of equipment that has been opened (especially since I'd have to replace the box that UPS mangled - not your fault, which is why I didn't mention it above).
I don't think you were dishonest and I don't think you screwed up, I think the bulbs were mislabeled. I took a picture of the bulbs I have and compared it with the pictures of the bulbs you are selling & think this is (at best, because they are only using 23 watts) one of the 35 watt bulbs, or likely a 26 or 26 watt bulb that the manufacturer sent you (hopefully in error). All I want is bulbs that are at least close to what these were rated at.
So, am I satisfied with my purchase? Would I leave positive feedback?
Well, not really. It's awesome to have a setup for taking pictures of my kids & I can overlook the other issues** (even the balancing of the bulbs, I know how hard it is to balance bulbs), but the brightness of the bulbs is really souring me on the deal. I created this page for the seller to see (if you are reading this, you are likely either the seller or family as this page is not linked currently) to help me work out a solution. I don't want to pay return shipping any more than you want to process a return of equipment that has been opened (especially since I'd have to replace the box that UPS mangled - not your fault, which is why I didn't mention it above).
I don't think you were dishonest and I don't think you screwed up, I think the bulbs were mislabeled. I took a picture of the bulbs I have and compared it with the pictures of the bulbs you are selling & think this is (at best, because they are only using 23 watts) one of the 35 watt bulbs, or likely a 26 or 26 watt bulb that the manufacturer sent you (hopefully in error). All I want is bulbs that are at least close to what these were rated at.
I just want bulbs that are within 10% of the rating of the bulbs I paid for**
** As long as I don't have to pay to ship anything back,
I am ok living with the snagged muslin and the bag with a small hole (not pictured).
All images herein are either my own or used under fair use.
I hereby release all images on this page that are my own to the public domain.
I am ok living with the snagged muslin and the bag with a small hole (not pictured).
All images herein are either my own or used under fair use.
I hereby release all images on this page that are my own to the public domain.
Nothing above this line will be edited until after the case is settled with eBay. If I need to add or modify anything, all additions or corrections will appear below this line. Everything above this line is as it was prior to my sending a link to this page to the seller.
First update post-sending to seller: eBay case #5031123832
Comparison to incandescent:
The three pictures above were with the exact same settings except shutter speed. All with the diffusing cover.
The first one was a 100 watt incandescent bulb in the light box, 1/4th second
The second one was just 1 of the CFLs, 1/3rd second
The third one was 2 CFLs, 1/8th second
These bulbs are roughly a 90-100 watt equiv. Considering the listing said 45/equiv 200, these being 22-25/equiv 90-100 sounds about right. I do not have 4-100 watt bulbs, so I can't compare 4 to 4, but I also don't want to put 400 watts worth of bulbs in this lightbox for fear of hurting it (not knowing what it is rated for).
The first one was a 100 watt incandescent bulb in the light box, 1/4th second
The second one was just 1 of the CFLs, 1/3rd second
The third one was 2 CFLs, 1/8th second
These bulbs are roughly a 90-100 watt equiv. Considering the listing said 45/equiv 200, these being 22-25/equiv 90-100 sounds about right. I do not have 4-100 watt bulbs, so I can't compare 4 to 4, but I also don't want to put 400 watts worth of bulbs in this lightbox for fear of hurting it (not knowing what it is rated for).