Calumet Genesis light kit

Are you looking for an entry level studio strobe lighting kit that is simple to use and simply works? It’s hard to beat the value of the $170 (on sale) Genesis 200 1-Light Kit from Calumet Photographic. Calumet also throws in free shipping for orders over $75, an additional bonus.

It was affordability that first attracted me to the Calumet Genesis 200 and 400 studio strobe units. When I first began the studio lighting videos on prophotolife I purchased a Genesis 200 1-light kit from Calumet because it fit a few attractive criteria:

1. I wanted to illustrate lighting techniques using quality equipment that was accessible and affordable to most readers. The price of the Genesis units is very attractive. Normally an already low $245, the Genesis 200 1-Light Kit currently comes complete with strobe, lamps, reflector, 10′ light stand, reversible umbrella and cords for just $170, complete. Not much else comes close in terms of price, certainly nothing I know of with this level of quality and support.
2. Prophotolife has readers all over the globe and Calumet Photographic provides quality service through 29 locations worldwide (10 in the U.S.). They are perhaps best known for their strong online and catalog business. I find this product attractive because both sales and support are widely available to most all prophotolife readers.
3. Many readers have inquired about setting up a home studio and, since Calumet has long been an affiliate sponsor of prophotolife, I felt I should become familiar with the Genesis light units.

Since purchasing the first Genesis strobe kit many of the lighting videos on prophotolife have been illustrated using the Calumet Genesis 200 (and later, the Genesis 400) lighting kits. For a home studio setup I think they are great units at a very affordable price. I think these strobes are ideal if:

1. You have a modest budget and want to set up your own home studio
2. You want to start with one inexpensive unit and have the ability to expand the system affordably, if desired
3. You want a lighting system that is relatively simple to use and simply works
4. You want to purchase from a retailer that has been serving photographers for many years

There are a myriad of other choices out there for studio lighting but few at this entry level price point. Westcott makes the beautiful Spiderlight continuous (non-flash) studio units that are a favorite with some. There’s always the option of adapting your existing camera flash to a light stand and umbrella. And the Alien Bees are also popular strobe units manufactured by Paul C. Buff. An internet search will turn up the technical specifications on various options and choices and there are a number of internet forums that discuss the subtleties of each system.

But if you’re looking to start a home studio inexpensively with well made equipment and quality company support, the Genesis 200 1-Light Kit (with free shipping) provides a very attractive option. For other kits and options you can do a search on “genesis” at Shop Calumet Photographic - It’s Where the Pros Go.

Below are links to other equipment ideas you may be interested in:

Four-channel Radio Flash Trigger Kit This battery-operated radio trigger kit will work with all flashes and has an effective range of 80′. The four-channel transmitter is equipped with a hot-shoe for on-camera mounting and a PC cord for cameras without a hotshoe. It is powered by a 12-volt battery, which is included. The four-channel receiver has a PC sync outlet and a standard phono-jack plug that can be reduced to 3.5mm with the supplied jack adapter. It can be attached to your flash unit with the enclosed Velcro mounting kit. Requires two AA batteries. (not included)

Four-channel Radio Receiver This four-channel receiver is designed for use with the Calumet Four-channel Radio Flash Trigger kit. The receiver has a PC sync outlet and a standard phono-jack plug that can be reduced to 3.5mm with the supplied adapter. It can be attached to your flash unit with the enclosed Velcro mounting kit. Requires two AA batteries. (not included)