2817 Shutter Starz Professional Photography Studio 2 x 45 Watts Lighting Umbrella Kit

After reading some of the other reviews, I was somewhat hesitant on this specific item, but since it's for a hobby vs a career, and based on the price, I figured I'd roll the dice. Glad I did!! The item is exactly as described. The stand was more sturdy than some reviews had led me to expect. I mean this isn't the same as the equipment that you'll find at your "$300+ Photo Shoot" studio, but for newbies or hobby level use, this it very sufficient. I'm using it for traveling shoots, of HS sports teams and this is perfect. Lightweight, easy to assemble and take down.Now my complaint: Not about the product by the way Amazon handled the shipping.... Let me start by saying that I've always been impressed by Amazon's shipping record. Almost every item I've ever ordered in the past arrived before expected. This time I ended up in a jam, having to reschedule a photo shoot due to the items not arriving as expected.My main complaint is the wording used in shipping estimates. I selected (and paid extra) for "2-Day Shipping". This item ordered on 9/1 shipped 9/2, but did not arrive until 9/5. This item and a 2nd item, ordered from the same seller (and also photography equipment)were shipped on different dates the other item was not shipped until 9/4 and has an est arrival date of 9/6. These items were photography equipment I had needed for a school photo shoot scheduled for 9/5 that had to be rescheduled due to the equipment not arriving as expected. In the past Amazon shipping has been excellent, but this time they failed to come through as expected and on the one item, as paid extra for (didn't "ship" until day 3, when I paid for 2-Day).Technically I guess that Amazon met the "letter of their agreement" in that the item "shipped" within in 2 days. However, the second item in the same order, the same category of equipment, listed as being in-stock with Amazon, and ordered from the same vendor (hoping to avoid delays), did not ship until 3 days...Anyway, in the future, I may decide to stick with vendors who ship direct, vs Amazon fulfillment. I think I'd have been better off in this case.

This is a pretty good beginner lighting set. You get what you pay for with this. The packaging is nice and everything looks good. The carrying case it comes in works well if you keep all of the original boxes everything inside came in. light weight and very easy to setup. My concerns are with the plastic joints for the collapsible legs and the cool tones (slight blues) of the bulbs it comes with. I think if they are taken care of and not over tightened, the joints should last a while before you can purchase a better quality stand but I will likely be replacing the kit bulbs with some better warmer toned ones before I shoot my next set. If I had the money I would go with a step up but for its purpose of starting out, this will work great. I would still recommend getting some better bulbs.

is having some problem some time the lights don't turn ON, there is something wrong with bulb holders. Needs to be taken care off

This by itself, does not provide enough lighting, but if you are using this with some other light source, this will work well. It is not made with the sturdiest material, but strong enough and light enough. I box it up when it is not in use. I got the double light sockets to increase the lighting. Overall, it is good for a amateur photographer like myself.

Very good

The build of the stands is very nice! Easy access power switch and study construction. Although the bulbs are very good quality and produce a very natural light, they will be a bit dim for some people.

I am a amateur photographer and was looking for some indoor lighting solutions to shoot higher quality portraits of my family. I was a bit leery when I saw the price, but have been very pleasantly surprised with the quality of this product. The stands are very easy to use and set-up and feel like they will be durable. Set-up and break-down is quick and easy. The only thing that wasn't up to par was the carrying case, which the zipper came unstitched after two uses. It's cheap feeling but did not bother me since the actual product is so impressive. I would recommend this product to any amateur photographer looking for a low cost lighting solution.

These lights really didn't make much of a difference at all. We had to put them so close to the subject for them to make a difference that they would end up in the shot.