Can someone school me on Paul Buff White Lightning?

[PGillin]

I shot a pair of the 1200 or 1600 units in school a few years ago and almost bought them when the University's photo club switched to Godox. (I was managing the darkroom for them and would have gotten a sweet deal...)

Now, I'm looking to get set up with some lighting gear of my own. I always liked the simplicity and build quality of the WL, and found the Paul Buff modifiers to be good quality. I've seen a few sets online and locally within budget. I could spend slightly more and get a Speedo kit, but I've been using Speedo (Blackline) at work and don't really like the size and weight of the packs, so I'm thinking I will buy a set of 3-4 Monos and rent out gear if a pack or additional lights is truly called for.
The gear will mostly be used for portraiture, some product & still life, and occasionally other odds & ends. The recycle time is not ideal but isn't a large concern.

What is a concern is that these lights have been in production for a long time, and I am interested in finding a more recent production version. To that end, I'm wondering if anyone hear could help me distinguish between the versions. I believe the squared-off cases are the oldest, the gold, rounded, cases with two umbrella holders are newer, and as per the Paul Buff website the black, rounded cases are the current production. I'm wondering, beyond the rough dating mentioned, how to tell when these lights may have left home in Nashville.

Thanks!

 

[mgb74]

First, from my experience, Paul Buff is a company that will actually talk to you if you have a question. So perhaps best to contact them for specifics.

They started with their basic White Lighting 5,000 and 10,000 (look like white paint cans). Probably the cheapest way to get into studio style flash at the time. Then the Ultra series, followed by the X series. The 1200 and 1600 flash you referred to are likely either the Ultra or X.

I have an Ultra series flash that does not function. It's likely a bad capacitor that Buff says is out of production. So the flash can't be repaired in it's current form factor. They offered me a discount on a new flash that I felt was a reasonable accommodation. I haven't decided yet whether to do that as it would mean - for me - having to buy a 2nd WL flash as well.

 

[Jim Jones]

The Ultra 1200 and 1800 have been the biggest and best investment I ever made in photographic equipment. They have worked perfectly since new. If I ever had to expand or replace any of the Paul Bluff equipment, I'd stick with that brand, even if the units are no longer young.

 

[Adrian Bacon]

I shot a pair of the 1200 or 1600 units in school a few years ago and almost bought them when the University's photo club switched to Godox. (I was managing the darkroom for them and would have gotten a sweet deal...)

Now, I'm looking to get set up with some lighting gear of my own. I always liked the simplicity and build quality of the WL, and found the Paul Buff modifiers to be good quality. I've seen a few sets online and locally within budget. I could spend slightly more and get a Speedo kit, but I've been using Speedo (Blackline) at work and don't really like the size and weight of the packs, so I'm thinking I will buy a set of 3-4 Monos and rent out gear if a pack or additional lights is truly called for.
The gear will mostly be used for portraiture, some product & still life, and occasionally other odds & ends. The recycle time is not ideal but isn't a large concern.

What is a concern is that these lights have been in production for a long time, and I am interested in finding a more recent production version. To that end, I'm wondering if anyone hear could help me distinguish between the versions. I believe the squared-off cases are the oldest, the gold, rounded, cases with two umbrella holders are newer, and as per the Paul Buff website the black, rounded cases are the current production. I'm wondering, beyond the rough dating mentioned, how to tell when these lights may have left home in Nashville.

Thanks!

I have two white lightning X-1600 units along with several newer units from other manufacturers. They are built like a tank and will last a very long time. Mine have gone from primary lights, to secondary lights, for really only one reason: They don't have a built in radio trigger. I've since gone to newer and smaller power units that have built in radio triggers from other manufacturers, but still keep the white lightnings around for the times I just need the power. At 640 watt seconds, the X-1600s have more than enough juice for pretty much anything. For in-studio use, you can easily get by with half that much power and still have power to spare.

 

[ParkerSmithPhoto]

I have a six of the Ultra 800s from at least ten years ago. They have worked almost flawlessly for me. Any issues were quickly and inexpensively repaired by Buff. The only flash tube I've ever replaced was one I broke myself. Checking the output with a meter, most of these will not vary more than 1/10 stop, one or two will vary about 2/10 stop. Love the modifiers, especially the folding octabox. I have made a lot of money with these lights. They are a tremendous value.

It would be very nice to have something with built in remotes, or digital touch pads instead of sliders. The practical reality is that it doesn't really matter. They get the job done very well.

Compared to the Speedos, I would go with monolights every time. The central pack concept really holds you back with light placement and, especially, power control.

 

[mgb74]

And there are lots of choices for inexpensive remotes.

 

[pentaxuser]

If it is possible to do it, you might want to ask a moderator to remove the first "n" in lightning in the title so it reads lighting. Paul Buff White Lightning made me think of "Thunder Road" and possible a kind of powerful "moonshine" way up in the Appalachians

pentaxuser

 

[mark]

But it is white lightning.

 

[pentaxuser]

But it is white lightning.

Thanks. Yes just an attempt at a bit of humour given that there is another kind of white lightning. I take it that these lights are in fact flash type lights. It just seems a strange way to describe what I assume is a large flash unit but that may be me only or may be something to do with having British as opposed to U.S. ears so to speak

pentaxuser

 

[reddesert]

Please just google "Paul Buff white lightning." It is the model name of a series of monolights that have been popular (in the US, perhaps less widely distributed in Europe) for over three decades.

 

[pentaxuser]

Yes I found Paul Buff and his white lightning OK and I am sorry my humour fell on stony ground as the parable of the seeds goes

pentaxuser

 

[PGillin]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I am going to contact Paul Buff directly with information about the lights I'm looking at and see what they have to say about age and future repairability.
Though they are robust I'd rather not put down much money on something that can't be maintained.

As for our English friends - Perhaps they should switch from gin to white lightning! It might brighten up the dreary winters over there.
I do appreciate the humor in the name, the delivery just didn't quite connect. Cultural differences, perhaps.
Two countries divided by a common language.... (and I say this as a US citizen living in Canada!)