Built like a tank. Made in USA. The Chevy of lighting gear.
Five year warranty, unfortunately, from my experience with Alien Bees, you'll probably need to use the warranty.

Inconsistent light output, lacks radio remote, antiquated design, lousy reflector, weak mounting system.

Unit is well built but antiquated at this price point because it lacks a digital display or built in Pocket Wizard option.
The unit's reflector is pretty basic and the light from it is harsh and cannot be focused.
The worst part of this flash is the inconsistent output from shot to shot, rendering it useless for portraits at larger apertures. At a recent wedding, it was all over the board when using just one capacitor. Back home, I tested it with a meter and it ranged form f/11.1 to f11.5 from shot to shot.
A great strobe for photographers who abuse their gear and want aircraft aluminum cases, but it would be nice if Buff would put a little more attention on the inside of the thing and give us consistent output. A great strobe if you enjoy post processing.

As a side note, I have AB 800s and they also drift all over the place in their output. I got to believe the the circuitry is the same in these strobes, so if you don't need the extra weight, buy the cheaper strobe, or better still, buy a strobe that gives consistent output.

Customer Service

Has always been good, although they'll lead you to believe that the flash won't be inconsistent in its output and want you to keep sending it back for repair, when it's really the design of the thing.

Similar Products Used:

Photogenic 1250, much better.
Alien Bees.

Well thought out design; SOLID construction; great power; fast recycle

none yet

I purchased an Ultrazap 1600 to use for portraits and occasianal field work for weddings, etc. I am just starting out working with studio strobes and am limited on budget, so I did quite a bit of research before buying. Everyone who has used Paul Buff's stuff consistently said they are by far the best bang-for-the-buck. I agree. There is simply no other system that can compare for the price, plus it has all the features I need. The design is very well thought out- even to the point that the modeling light uses a standard bulb socket so you can use a household bulb in a pinch. The remote control socket uses readily available telephone cord. The case is substantial (made out of anondized aluminum) and the latch system used to attach softboxes and reflectors is solid.

Customer Service

Very friendly on the phone and prompt at email replies.

Similar Products Used:

none

The older Ultra units were totally bullet proof, though there was a built in glitch that the factory could correct concerning model lamp flickering in the 600s and some 1200s.

I had ongoing problems with a new X2400 that I felt was a design defect. The situation was finally resolved by Paul Buff to my complete satisfaction.

I have used various White lightning products, including the 5000 & 10000 units, Ultra 600, Ultra 1200, Ultra 1800 and an 800 UltraZap, two X1600 & an X2400. Basically these monolights are the best bang for the buck. If you need lower end stuff, instead of buying Britek or Novatron look to the 5000/10000 units. If you''re doing any type of Pro work, you will need mint condition Ultras or the newer ultra-zaps or X-series. For use softboxes or rapid commercial or fashion shooting use the X-series with built-in fans.

Customer Service

The best, a quality company.

Similar Products Used:

none

Uses Balcar reflectors and accesories. Easily available on eBay or used localy. Good build and can take a pretty heavy day of shooting. Not too heavy though...

If you are a high octaine, full power-motordrive on 5fps fashion shooter...well, first of all, you''re probably not that good of a photographer. But ultra heavy loads of shooting will make these things overload and trip the breaker. The other is that it trully needs it''s own plug on a seperate circut. But these things are common sense. I''ve dropped an ultra head before and, well, the modeling bulb broke, kinda sucked getting that out...but the piece still was Locked, Cocked and Ready to Rock. So that makes up for not being able to pop at 5fps. Or continually heavy (full power) at it''s real recycle rate.

These things are amazing. I have been using the older ultras for the last four years and the ZAP for about 6 months. All of them don''t yawn or crap out and have some pretty nice power to them. I also use a Speedo Brownline 800ws and the ZAP 800 (not it''s ws rating) is almost as powerful in a larson soft box. Far more flexible and lighter as well! Ends up being cheaper too. 4 of these are cheaper than a new Brownline set up.

Customer Service

EXCELLENT! Very sweet and nice. Quick service. If more buisnesses used their buisness model...the US manufacturing industries would be in far better shape.

Similar Products Used:

Ultra 600, Speedo 800ws Brownline

None

None

I believe in the Ultra Product. I use them for all facets of commercial shooting. I have six 1800s and three 3200s. The monolights are the best buy for the wattage.The inventor Paul Bluff''s BCPS (beam candlepower seconds) calibration is justified in his literature using a high silver reflector but my bare bulb comparison against Norman 24/24 will rate the 3200 Ultra at 2400 and the 1800 Ultra at 800. Even so the Ultras will stand against price comparisons. I am rough on equipment so I have sent one or two back for repairs. Paul Bluff backs his products and has repaired them with no charge. The service has been great as well as turnaround on the repairs. The units themselves are versatile. A sliding bar will allow you to set the needed output from full to 1/32. The internal slave is sensitive so you can hide them behind pillars without direct light contact. I recommend these units all the time. However, the Ultra promotional literature sucks. The literature suffers the product in comparison to the coffee table slicks of the competitors but I suppose he is passing on the savings to us.

Similar Products Used:

None

Very well, built, alot of power and extremely portable

When down to -5 fstops the power will fluxuate .5 stop. Anything above though is dead accurate

Bottom Line? Best lighting system you can buy for the money. All the accessories (and there is alot) are extremely cheap. I purchased 3 UZ so far and plan on buying anotherone. I would check out their portrait packages as you can save a good deal of money. You may think that it's alot of money for these lights, but they will pay themselves off. Even the flashtubes are cheaper than most.

Customer Service

Haven't used them very any tech assistance, but for buying other products the service was very professional.

Similar Products Used:

Only the Comet1200 powerpack and heads

Outstanding flexibility. Infinitely variable 5 stop power adjustment is truly superb and not only excellent for film photography but excellent for digital studio work. Telephone cord based remote system is the best on the planet!

none that I can think of

You cannot go wrong with these lights. I've been using them for years, and have not had one complaint. While I've recently upgraded one light to an UltraZAP, I have several other of the original Ultra series, and they give me excellent results day after day. I can think of no other photo equipment that I've owned that has been this consistently excellent!

Customer Service

ABSOLUTELY THE BEST THERE IS!!
I had one of the very first Ultra units from Paul C Buff. The unit developed a problem one evening while I was shooting. I called them the next morning and explained the problem. I had a loaner unit the very next day, which kept me going while mine was being repaired.

Similar Products Used:

Dynalite, Speedotron

durable, well built metal case. Strong and flexable modeling light. Constant set output.

no fan (if needed, get the x series version, if setting to a lower fstop you need to dump excess power.

Picked up the SP series for something to use at an affordable price.I studied different monolight systems and talked to other photographers for 2 years before deciding on the White Lighting ultra zap 1600. It is a little on the expensive side, but the quality and durability that the White Lightening offers is well above the overall price. I used it at a workshop for 8 hours straight and it preformed better than I ever expected. IMHO you can't go wrong with this system. *** as corny as this sounds as soon as I write this review I will be ordering another one. The 2400***.

Customer Service

Talked to when ordered. Customer service was very friendly and nice.

Similar Products Used:

SP series 250 and 920 monolights.

fast - durable -inexpensive

no fan - no alarm

the best you can buy

Customer Service

very nice customer service reps

Similar Products Used:

norman

Durable, accurate, excellent features, great quality of light

VIRTUALLY NONE

Don't waste your time with anything else - these are the best available! I use mine daily and heavily - they have never let me down!

Customer Service

EXCELLENT both in the U.S. and at their repair station here in Canada

Similar Products Used:

Ascorlight, Sunpak monolights, Speedotron and a few others