These lights were recommended to me by a friend who does a lot of camera and video work to advertise his handwriting and fountain pens. The lights are great, very compact, attractive looking, easy to assemble and fit very well in the corners of my desk and add just the right amount of lighting for writing. However, I rated 4/5 because the lamps came with one screw that was loose from one lamp and one screw completely missing from the second lamp. It is difficult to find the right screw to replace in the light and it's impossible to find where I can get some help to replace the screw.

I bought these to use with a 36x36x36" light tent. In that role, they're great. I really appreciate the quality of the light that comes from these and the consistent temperature.

These don't put out much light, however, they are just enough for use with the tent. I've also used them for other specific purposes, such as christmas tree decorating pictures. Placing one on each side provided just enough clean light to get much better pictures than I had in the past.

My only issue with these is the physical construction. It just feels a hint on the shoddy side. However, I don't complain about this much because the price is very good. The tripods are very small. Good for travel, not so great when you need them to be stable, especially on a carpet. Fully extended, they are very very easy to topple. A gentle brush from a cat or dog is enough. And that's with the vertical part all the way down. I find that I cannot reasonably use them fully extended vertically as they will just fall over, it's just a matter of when.

The light bulb sockets could be a lot better. They feel as if they are attached by one weak point into the shrouds, and they move around quite a bit. If anythings going to break, I feel it's that. Speaking of the bulbs, the bulbs stick out past the end of the shrouds by quite a bit. For me that means I kept the nice foam packaging the bulbs came in, and I always take the bulbs out and transport them in those when it's time to move. However combined with the light socket issue, I am nervous every time I put them back in.

One of my power switches is somewhat bad. At times, I can turn it on and get light. At other times, I won't get light, or they'll be partially on in that goofy rapid on-off phase. A gentle tap is all it takes to resolve, however, this shouldn't be an issue in a new product. Once it's on, it stays on, but I have to check it every time.

I'm sure it sounds like I'm bashing this product but I'm really not. They do what they're designed to do, perhaps with a slight degradation of grace. I'd certainly be willing to pay more for a more solid version of these.

A long time fan of Cowboy Studio full scale products I should have considered this pair of table lights initially. I have two in home studios one portraiture and on one Chromakey (green screen) both outfitted with backdrop frames and studio lighting by Cowboystudio and have zero complaints.

A few months back I began to photograph jewelry and working on this smaller scale is an entirely different ball game. My first set was a pair of "'MyStudio" lights which were dreadful - they stand 24" tall, created far too much ambient light and tip easily. A pair of Julian Halogens were nice but not bright enough - the 5/K Full Spectrum bulbs of this set really do provide superb light that's easy to direct.

* Quality stands are adjustable and well made

* Effortless Assembly

* Full Directional lighting

* Creates very little ambient light

* Stays cool

* Stable, well weighted and sturdy

* Fine for most any type of Light box or background

The Tripod design is perfect for tabletop photography and the lights are hefty, well balanced and not likely to be tipped over while moving them around and working. I had thought the 10 inch reflector hood would be too large but I was mistaken they're great for the light boxes I use and the light lends itself very well to working with bounce cards and other diffusers if you have the need and or inclination.

What did surprise me was the enormous box this set arrives in - It's Huge! however it's a plus as each component is packaged with incredible care, including a double foam encasement for each bulb as well as the reflector hoods.

If you're looking for a pair of accent lights for your tabletop studio you'll find yourself hard pressed to beat these - especially at this price.

Highly Recommended.

We use large umbrella lights for our wedding business but sometimes the area we are given in the venue does not allow the room needed for those lights. So, we bough these hoping they would do the trick and they absolutely did. The only thing missing is diffusion of the lights, but I plan to try to find a slip on diffuser and maybe even buy the disposable shower cap type things somewhere to try and diffuse it. The lighting itself works just fine for the subjects being photographed, I just don't like the aesthetics of the bare light bulb after having used the umbrellas for so long. Also, if you do not like the small height of the tripod legs, the fixture does screw on or off the pole and could be used easily on the longer poles sold with the umbrella lights, etc.

Arrived fast and Safe . Packed Very nice , each section is in a separate box, ( tripod) , (reflector socket and cable w/switch) , (Bulb).1 set for each unit (2) all in a master box good for storage. Bulbs not only in there own box, but packed in formed Foam cube. I set them up . very nice to me. one light powered up , one did not. so I put a normal bulb in that unit, it lite up. so then I started to think Bulb was defective. I installed again , but gave it slightly more torque. Bingo it fired up when I tried the switch. so all delivered in Great shape, I guess I was to careful not to over tighten . Light looks like normal Blue/white from a fluorescent (no sounds no flicker) . when compared to a Halogen , I had in the unit. it is slightly brighter then the halogen , but more Blue white. the halogen is a GE reveal Flood Beam 35 watt warmer cooler. Not scientific did not use a meter except , MY Human eye ;)

Have not tried to take images yet, but so far looks like this will be a Great solution , when used with My 17" Cube tent also from Cowboy .

The only issue I see is the Curly Q Bulbs stick out from reflector say about 1 1/2" , and would be damaged very easily . So will have to be very careful of that. If Not ill look into using the small Halogen Flood PAR20 , which I think come in 50 watt and I might be able to install a Par30 , unfortunately I do not see a UL listing on the socket or reflector . The switch is UL listed for 3 amps 120 125 VL . BTW the Ceramic Socket looks to be of , very good Construction. Socket has markings but I cannot make them out threw the Vent holes of the Reflector . Phillips screw could get the interested there.

The Tripod mounts I was surprised is Studio Type (light Stud) just like Big Cousins. it measures 0.585" on lip (neck is 0.464") so cant be a 5/8" (0.625") spigot but same spigot type shape. That is a pleasant surprise. this will add possibilities :)

The bulbs that came in the Box are 45W 120V 5500K RoHS

I am sure the white Balance controls in My Nikon will handle these No problem at all.

Hope Info is Helpful to others. If you need affordable set of Table Top Studio Lamps, This is It ,especially with Free Amazon Shipping. Take note I just got these , so as far as wear and tear life. I cannot help. But I am sure if one is "Careful " and handle them with Care, they should serve well.

Follow Up: First Test's with Camera one light only No filters No diffuser . White Balance seems Best when simply set on Flash Preset , Daylight -3 Close but still to Blue. so My choice for quick and dirty is just set Preset Flash white balance on Nikon . I don't know about the other Guys. Hope Helps.