Hey all,

I came across the Square Perfect products on eBay today. They're selling a kit of 2 fairly large softbox (1000 Watts each) with light heads and stands that can extend from 5' up to 14'. All that for just a little bit more than 300$US (for both). The price is almost too good to be true so I'm wondering what can be the catch?

I did some research on their products (http://www.squareperfect.com) but couldn't find any reviews. Here's the product I'm looking at: http://www.squareperfect.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33&Itemid=35

It looks like Chinese made products and they're imported or branded by a US company that distribute them.

I'm far from a cheapskate and I don't mind paying the price for good quality products but I'm not dumb either... In Montreal (Canada), they're asking 400$ just for the softbox without the light head and stand. Gheeez, it's just a piece of synthetic cloth within a lightweight structure!!!

Anyway, I'm just seeking some opinions here if anyone has any experience with those products...

Thanks!


Benoit

My opinion is that the really cheap Chinese knockoffs are good as a learning tool and as extra equipment to fill in the gaps of your good equipment. Truly high grade equipment will pay for itself in time savings and longevity. Once you learn what kind of equipment you like to use to get the results you want, you may find shortcomings of cheaper gear. Then, you will probably understand the advantages of the top-of-the-line stuff.

...Gheeez, it's just a piece of synthetic cloth within a lightweight structure!!!



Only, you are asking that cloth to operate at very high temperatures for years without melting, discoloring, or getting brittle. They're going to be handled by folks who are in a hurry and may not exercise the greatest care in packing or unpacking them. Oh, and you're only going to sell a few thousand of them in a year if you're lucky.

It all depends on what you plan to do with them. If it's for occasional use on personal projects, the cheap Chinese knock-offs will probably work fine.