studio lights

hi all looking at getting a basic studio light set up for digital (ISTD) and woundering if any one has used these Fluorescent Continuous Lights
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30088&item=751... to show and example the avantages i see are its a soft light , will travel better then an element type light + use a lot less power for the same light out put what are your thoughts or what do you use looking at portrait - full body and head shoulder style of work my own expeariance is very very little cheers all Greg

The biggest single problem with continuous light is that it gets VERY hot. You need a surprising amount of power to provide enough light for photography, and this device is likely to provide only just enough. And anyway, you need two light sources ideally, if not more, so the cost is considerable.

Unless you shoot only in the winter, or have AC, I would think twice.

Also, if cost is an object, you can get 1000W of halogen lighting on a stand from various places for £30.00 or less. A DIY diffuser made of net curtain would be required.

You can nowadays get flat flash equipment, and this is what I would like, if money were no object. Until then, I will continue using conventional studio flash.

G