Pros and cons of the Dedolights in studio photography.

Rather than selecting fresnel lamps I experimented with using Dedolights.Ten years later I am still using them, and just this year bought an entire additional set to store in Germany, since my other set is in constant use in Japan, Mexico, and Guatemala.

I did an entire coffee table book for a major Japanese publisher with Dedo lighting. I use up to five at a time.

My Dedolights have survived thousands of miles of rough roads throughout Central America. Heat, humidity, and constant use have not even left a scar.

Lowell TotaLamps provide my main illumination when I use tungsten balanced film. When using digital cameras Lowel DP lights are needed to provide the extra light required by a scanning back. The Dedolights do all the details, the teeth, earrings--anything that is recessed and otherwise lost in shadow.

I never recommend anything that I have not purchased with hard earned money. You can get Dedolights the same place I buy them, either directly in Germany (Munich) 089 52 5064, fax 089 52 91 73, or in the USA.

FLAAR does not sell lights, but we do sell photographs, and Dedolight illumination helps sell photos. I have won several major contracts because I could do "iconographical lighting"and others did traditional lighting the way they were taught in photography courses. Since I never went to photo school, I worked out a method of lighting that best suited the needs of archaeologists and art historians, namely to reveal all the pertinent detail, whether it be traditionally lost in shadow or not. The purpose of the Dedolights are to fill in and light up the portions of an object which are otherwise left in shadow by your main lights.

For high-end digital photography, you may need to avoid using the Dedolight system with the four or six-pack transformer. This transformer, or the lamps, caused digital defects in many of our photographs. At that time we lacked a Sola constant voltage power line conditioner, but we still suspect that it was the Dedo transformer that ruined dozens of our photographs. Mr Weigert stated that his other models (with an independent built-in transformer directly attached to the light fixture) will not cause digital interference--but try them out before you have a serious digital deadline. And, for extra insurance, buy a Sola hevi-duty line conditioner suitable for your electrical lines.

Or you can avoid doubt altogether and consider alternatives such as the Soft Spot system from North Light (www.northlightproducts.com). Soft Spots are available exclusively from Calumet (Calumet Photographic, www.calumetphoto.com) or Calumet Digital Solutions.

If you need a reliable source for professional camera and studio equipment, Calumet Photographic/Calumet Digital Solutions has everything.