Photogenic or Norman?

[lightsnshadows62]

Hello everyone,I'm thinking of buying 2 monolights and i would like to hear suggestions/recommendations from you either if i should go with photogenic or norman since they are similar on some aspects.so tell me which brand and why?
Your input will be appreciated.

Fredy.

[srwatters]

If I'm not mistaken, the two share some history. I know they share modifier mounting systems. I owned and used a Norman ML-600R for a couple of years. It was a very accurate and consistent light. The only reason I switched to Hensel was the great deal I got on a three light setup which allowed me to move away from the Alien Bees I was using in addition to the Norman.

Personally I don't think you would go wrong with either brand. But above is my experience with Norman.

[playbak]

I have four Photogenic PL-1250's, pre-digital. The newer versions have digital displays. I've been please with the results. I was able to light 150 people with the four of them and I wasn't going above half power. I also use them in a small room and find that they are consistent even at the low settings. You can see the results here. I've never shot such a large group, so any uneveness in the lighting is mostly due to my inexperience. Given it to do over, I would have moved my outside lights closer and aimed higher to get the back row better.

[bondarnes]

Photogenic and Norman are owned by the same parent company, so it is not illogical that they are very similar.

[JohnT]

I use a Photogenic 320, which is a basic studio light. I like it; but then again, I'm still pretty new to studio photography.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...tt_Second.html

[The Loft Studios]

IF WE ARE COMPARING ONLY THEIR RECENT DIGITAL UNITS, THEN HERE IS MY ASSESSMENT.....




I have owned both the Photogenic 1250DR and the Norman ML-600 and they both are pretty much identical except in FOUR instances.....

1.) The Photogenics have 1000ws, 500ws and 125ws Strobes whereas the Normans only have 600ws and 400ws Strobes
2.) The Photogenics have an easier user interface. It has a set of power indicator buttons to raise or lower the power settings in 1/2 Power and a set of buttons for 1/10 Power whereas the Normans use the same indicator buttons to raise or lower the power settings in 1/2 Power by pressing and holding the button and by quickly pressing that same indicator button, it will raise or lower the power in 1/10 increments.
3.) When it comes to using grids, with Photogenics, you have to purchase a mounting frame for each grid you want to use, however this accessory is excellent for color gels whereas for the Normans, they have snap on grids like most other lighting units. But, since Photogenic and Norman use the exact same mounting accessories (Speedrings, Parabolic Reflectors, etc....) you can purchase either/or for any of these units..... so always keep that in mind!
4.) Photogenic uses an IR Remote that allows you to wirelessly control your Studio Strobes - and have had this feature for many years which has made it so much a sought-after Lighting System. Elinchrom, Profoto and I guess eventually Alien Bees as well as other lighting systems are just really now incorporating this feature in their units. However, they have gone one step further and are using Radio Remotes instead of Infrared Remotes.

So, if your choices are between Photogenics and Normans..... I would go with the Photogenics

[lightsnshadows62]

Thank you all for your input and suggestions.Photogenic was was first choice to begin with so that's what i'll settle for when i make the final decision