Bowens Prolite studio lights - any info?

[ehasler]

Does anyone know anything about the Bowens Prolite range of studio lights - specifically the 41 and 41a?

I can't find any info on the net about them - specifically the spec, when they were discontinued and whether it's easy to fit current accessories like soft boxes to them.

TIA!

[luca brazzi]

Don't know about those Ed.....but I've been looking at these...


www.warehouseexpress.com/PHOTO/studio_lighting/bowens.html#Esprit3heads


Good price for 3 big lights, with ALL the accessories needed. Can't get them now, as I'm getting the new body instead.

LB

[ehasler]

Looks like a pretty nifty set that, but I'm looking to spend a fraction of that - hopefully I can get this set for under £175 which isn't bad for a basic kit I think.

I actually phoned Bowens up, and they were very helpful. They told me that the Prolite range was produced between '89 and '94, and the 41 model is the baby of the range with a power output of 150W/s. They are also compatible with the current range of kit, so if I ever wanted to upgrade in the future it would be very easy to just swap the lamp units.

[Bacardi]

For my sins, I shot the pictures for the brochures for that era of Bowens gear. I think? I have an old brochure in the archives somewhere. If you want to know anything specific let me know.

As I recall, these were the base units with reasonable recharge rates and short flash duration's, mainly because they were gutless. The more popular units were the 60's and 80's which had more bells and whistles more power output and more control over the output.

[ehasler]

Bacardi said:

As I recall, these were the base units with reasonable recharge rates and short flash duration's, mainly because they were gutless. The more popular units were the 60's and 80's which had more bells and whistles more power output and more control over the output.

Yep, only 150W output, so pretty gutless I agree, but this should be sufficient for macro stuff and getting to grips with different lighting techniques should it?

I reckon I can get these for about £175, so I'm not expecting them to be great, but as long as they work then I'll be happy!

[Bacardi]

ehasler said:

Yep, only 150W output, so pretty gutless I agree, but this should be sufficient for macro stuff and getting to grips with different lighting techniques should it?

Yep, for portraits and small stuff, should be fine.

[ehasler]

Bacardi said:

ehasler said: Yep, only 150W output, so pretty gutless I agree, but this should be sufficient for macro stuff and getting to grips with different lighting techniques should it? Yep, for portraits and small stuff, should be fine.

Great, thanks!

Thanks to a bit of last minute bidding on ebay, I'm now the proud owner of a set!