12 “Bullies for Bowens” and Its Gemini 400 Studio Lighting Kit

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bowens_gm400_2 image 1. Many serious hobbyists and enthusiasts are eventually attracted to portrait photography beyond what they can do with natural light or off-camera flash units. If you include yourself in this group, then you’ll need a comprehensive studio lighting system to produce pro-like portrait results.

Read real customer reviews of the Gemini 400 Studio Light Kit here.

2. Bowens is a British company founded in 1923, and is considered one of the finest manufacturers of studio lighting. An excellent choice from its catalog for your first studio set-up is the Gemini 400 Kit. Not only will you be able to shoot any solo portraits, but also the kit’s 400 watts of power will allow you to illuminate large groups, or shoot in large spaces.

It includes 2 small, but impressive Gemini 400 flash heads; 2 aluminum, wide-angle reflectors; 2 35.4-inch (90cm) umbrellas; 2 lighting support stands; 2 flash tubes; 2 modeling lamps; 2 power cords; 1 sync lead; and 1 hold-all bag. Packed in the bag, the entire kit weighs 38 lbs. (17.23kg).

3. One of the benefits of Bowens’ manufacturing experience and reputation for serious hobbyists is that the Gemini 400 flash head has the build quality of the company’s professional-grade heads, but in a smaller size. You’ll recognize the strength of the head immediately, as it is six-sided and made of steel. The cast alloy of the front piece and reflector mount and the solid plastic of the rear control panel and handle combine into one sturdy, solid unit at 5.7 lbs. (2.58kg).

4. Bowens has also kept the controls straightforward for the amateur new to serious studio lighting equipment. The rear panel features simple on/off switches, a ready “beep” signal and the slave trigger cell. Another simple switch with three selections controls the power. The Gemini 400 head operates with either 190–250V AC or DC from the optional Bowens Travelpak rechargeable battery pack. The modeling light also has a three-way control: off, full power or matching the flash output.

You can select six different power-output settings with the large dial on the side of the head, giving you accurate ratios of light for various flash units. Each setting on the dial represents twice the output.

5. As someone using this level of lighting equipment for the first time, you’ll appreciate the resistive power dump function. When you require less flash output, the remaining power is safely dispersed, readying your next flash to illuminate at the precise output.

6. Power output and color temperature is quite constant from shot to shot.

7. The Bowens 400 flash head recycles in approximately 1.2 seconds at 100% power.

8. Many professional photographers who rely on Bowens flash heads will tell you that the flash tube seems to last forever. Thankfully so, since a new one is $96.75. It is more likely to need replacing because it’s vulnerable to accidents if handled carelessly.

9. Those same pros will tell you that the life of modeling lights tends to be short. Gemini recommends that you use Halostar 250W bulbs that have a life of approximately 150 hours and cost $15.95. Gemini does extend the life of the bulb as much as possible by designing an automatic shutoff that is activated after 30 minutes without flash firing or adjustment.

10. Because Bowens has cleverly designed the Gemini 400 Kit for the hobbyist with less experience working with studio lighting equipment, you’ll find it easy to assemble and control and to give you great results from the first day of use.

11. As a serious enthusiast, you’ll also like the versatility of the Bowens 400 Kit. Add the optional battery pack and you won’t be limited to studio photography, since the kit is portable enough to use outdoors.

12. If you’re ready to advance to the kind of photography you can create with a Bowens 400 Kit, then the price tag of $942.50 is a worthwhile investment. Considering the 400 flash heads are $418 each, when purchased separately, you are only paying another $106 for the 2 reflectors, 2 umbrellas, 2 stands, 2 flash tubes, 2 modeling lamps, 2 power cords, 1 sync lead and 1 hold-all bag. That makes the Bowens 400 Kit a true high-value package.

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