You don't buy a new lighting kit every few years, so it pays to choose carefully. Think first about the way you work: do you want separate monolights that you can quickly put on a tripod, or a power pack with several flash heads for heavy studio work? Anyone who shoots a lot on location looks at battery units and compact heads. And don't forget the peripherals — a kit without matching softboxes, reflectors and triggers is a job half done. You'll find many of those modifiers and wireless receivers separately under Softboxes & Accessories and with the Studio Strobes.
What should you look out for with used lighting?
With flashes, the most important thing is how many flashes have already been fired and whether the flash tube is still clear. Check that the tube and the modelling lamp work, that the housing has no cracks and that the bayonet for your modifiers is not damaged. With power packs and battery units you look at the condition of the battery. With us, every item is professionally inspected, so you know it works as it should.
Brands and systems
Profoto is by far the most widely represented here, from the battery-powered A series such as the Profoto A2 Monolight to the D2 series with the Profoto D2 AirTTL 1000W/s Monolight, and for location work the Profoto B1X 500 AirTTL To-Go Kit and the Godox AD200Pro TTL Pocket Flash. Elinchrom and Broncolor are popular in the studio, Godox offers a lot of value for money and Rotolight is popular for continuous light. Stay within one system if you can: then your modifiers, heads and triggers fit together seamlessly.
Who is it for?
Whether you're setting up a home studio, doing portrait and product photography or working on location as a pro — there is always a suitable lighting solution. Beginners often start with one or two monolights and a softbox; more advanced users build up with extra heads, grids and gels. On all purchases you get at least 12 months' warranty and a 14-day return period, so you can try out at your leisure whether the kit suits your workflow.
