(2 views/week)
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Review Date
June 17, 2008
Overall Rating
 2 of 5
Value Rating
 2 of 5
Used product for
Less than 1 month
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Reviewed by
Carl Feather
, Professional
Price Paid
$479.00
at Paul Buff
Photography Experience
21+ years
, People
Summary
Unit is well built but antiquated at this price point because it lacks a digital display or built in Pocket Wizard option.
The unit's reflector is pretty basic and the light from it is harsh and cannot be focused.
The worst part of this flash is the inconsistent output from shot to shot, rendering it useless for portraits at larger apertures. At a recent wedding, it was all over the board when using just one capacitor. Back home, I tested it with a meter and it ranged form f/11.1 to f11.5 from shot to shot.
A great strobe for photographers who abuse their gear and want aircraft aluminum cases, but it would be nice if Buff would put a little more attention on the inside of the thing and give us consistent output. A great strobe if you enjoy post processing.
As a side note, I have AB 800s and they also drift all over the place in their output. I got to believe the the circuitry is the same in these strobes, so if you don't need the extra weight, buy the cheaper strobe, or better still, buy a strobe that gives consistent output.
Strengths
Built like a tank. Made in USA. The Chevy of lighting gear.
Five year warranty, unfortunately, from my experience with Alien Bees, you'll probably need to use the warranty.
Weaknesses
Inconsistent light output, lacks radio remote, antiquated design, lousy reflector, weak mounting system.
Similar Products Used
Photogenic 1250, much better.
Alien Bees.
Customer Service
Has always been good, although they'll lead you to believe that the flash won't be inconsistent in its output and want you to keep sending it back for repair, when it's really the design of the thing.
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Review Date
January 10, 2003
Overall Rating
 5 of 5
Value Rating
 5 of 5
Used product for
Less than 1 month
Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 5 votes
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Reviewed by
Mitch
, Intermediate
Price Paid
$399.00
at white-lightning.com
Photography Experience
6-10 years
, People
Summary
I purchased an Ultrazap 1600 to use for portraits and occasianal field work for weddings, etc. I am just starting out working with studio strobes and am limited on budget, so I did quite a bit of research before buying. Everyone who has used Paul Buff's stuff consistently said they are by far the best bang-for-the-buck. I agree. There is simply no other system that can compare for the price, plus it has all the features I need. The design is very well thought out- even to the point that the modeling light uses a standard bulb socket so you can use a household bulb in a pinch. The remote control socket uses readily available telephone cord. The case is substantial (made out of anondized aluminum) and the latch system used to attach softboxes and reflectors is solid.
Strengths
Well thought out design; SOLID construction; great power; fast recycle
Weaknesses
none yet
Similar Products Used
none
Customer Service
Very friendly on the phone and prompt at email replies.
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Review Date
May 4, 2002
Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Used product for
More than 1 year
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Reviewed by
rschiller
, Professional
, from Oakland, CA
Price Paid
$0.00
at from factory
Photography Experience
6-10 years
, People
Summary
I have used various White lightning products, including the 5000 & 10000 units, Ultra 600, Ultra 1200, Ultra 1800 and an 800 UltraZap, two X1600 & an X2400.
Basically these monolights are the best bang for the buck. If you need lower end stuff, instead of buying Britek or Novatron look to the 5000/10000 units. If you're doing any type of Pro work, you will need mint condition Ultras or the newer ultra-zaps or X-series. For use softboxes or rapid commercial or fashion shooting use the X-series with built-in fans.
Strengths
The older Ultra units were totally bullet proof, though there was a built in glitch that the factory could correct concerning model lamp flickering in the 600s and some 1200s.
Weaknesses
I had ongoing problems with a new X2400 that I felt was a design defect. The situation was finally resolved by Paul Buff to my complete satisfaction.
Similar Products Used
none
Customer Service
The best, a quality company.
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Review Date
February 20, 2002
Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Used product for
3 Months to 1 year
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Reviewed by
Jeremy
, Expert
Price Paid
$300.00
at Direct from manufact
Photography Experience
6-10 years
, People
Summary
These things are amazing. I have been using the older ultras for the last four years and the ZAP for about 6 months. All of them don't yawn or crap out and have some pretty nice power to them. I also use a Speedo Brownline 800ws and the ZAP 800 (not it's ws rating) is almost as powerful in a larson soft box. Far more flexible and lighter as well! Ends up being cheaper too. 4 of these are cheaper than a new Brownline set up.
Strengths
Uses Balcar reflectors and accesories. Easily available on eBay or used localy. Good build and can take a pretty heavy day of shooting. Not too heavy though...
Weaknesses
If you are a high octaine, full power-motordrive on 5fps fashion shooter...well, first of all, you're probably not that good of a photographer. But ultra heavy loads of shooting will make these things overload and trip the breaker. The other is that it trully needs it's own plug on a seperate circut. But these things are common sense. I've dropped an ultra head before and, well, the modeling bulb broke, kinda sucked getting that out...but the piece still was Locked, Cocked and Ready to Rock. So that makes up for not being able to pop at 5fps. Or continually heavy (full power) at it's real recycle rate.
Similar Products Used
Ultra 600, Speedo 800ws Brownline
Customer Service
EXCELLENT! Very sweet and nice. Quick service. If more buisnesses used their buisness model...the US manufacturing industries would be in far better shape.
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Review Date
September 8, 2001
Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
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Reviewed by
swcook
, Professional
, from Memphis, Tn USA
Price Paid
$0.00
at Nashville, Tn
Photography Experience
21+ years
, Other
Summary
I believe in the Ultra Product. I use them for all facets of commercial shooting. I have six 1800s and three 3200s. The monolights are
the best buy for the wattage.The inventor Paul Bluff's BCPS (beam candlepower seconds) calibration is justified in his literature using
a high silver reflector but my bare bulb comparison against Norman 24/24 will rate the 3200 Ultra at 2400 and the 1800 Ultra at 800.
Even so the Ultras will stand against price comparisons. I am rough on equipment so I have sent one or two back for repairs. Paul Bluff
backs his products and has repaired them with no charge. The service has been great as well as turnaround on the repairs. The units
themselves are versatile. A sliding bar will allow you to set the needed output from full to 1/32. The internal slave is sensitive so you can
hide them behind pillars without direct light contact. I recommend these units all the time. However, the Ultra promotional literature sucks.
The literature suffers the product in comparison to the coffee table slicks of the competitors but I suppose he is passing on the savings
to us.
Strengths
None
Weaknesses
None
Similar Products Used
None
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