In January I bought a third Bowens mono-block flash head to make it possible to accomplish more complexed lighting and introduce an air of resilience.
Literally as soon as I get the additional flash, one of my other heads starts flashing intermittently. And the first time I used the new flash I discovered it was very difficult to adjust because the locking clamp was very tight.
The following week I spoke to Calumet in London whom I bought the flash head and they shirked their responsibility as a retailer and by telling me to call Bowens direct. Bowens were very helpful and I was able to repair the clamp issue myself by cleaning out the poorly drilled hole in the clamp mechanism.
While I was chatting the to service guy, I asked about my other light that had just started firing intermittently. My first thought was the flash tube itself although my older lights that I’d bought second hand and used for several years had not burnt out one flash tube to date. The service engineer advised swapping the flash tubes and see whether the problem persisted on that flash head. He advised me that the potentiometer for controlling the power of the light have been known to cause this type of problem.
I tried swapping the flash tubes round last week. The problem didn’t move with the tube, so I packed away the faulty head ready to get repaired.
On the following photo session the second year old flash head started displaying the same symptoms. And then to cap it all, on my last session a couple of days later, the handle broke off my new flash head!
I spoke with Bowens last Tuesday and they said it was OK for me to bring the flash heads in. So yesterday afternoon I took a trip to Bowens International based in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. Everyone there was very helpful.
They repaired my new flash head there and then, admitting there had been a quality issue that they’d now resolved. I had to leave the other heads with them. But it could be up to two weeks before getting them back! It only remains to negotiate they’re FREE repair when I collect them.
As my clients know, I often work with only one light and usually only use a second to retain the quality of image in the deepest shadow area. Hopefully it won’t become a problem with my current schedule otherwise I’ll have to dig my faithful Bowens Quad Generators out the garage – ha ha.
At least now after getting such good service, I know I did the right thing choosing Bowens. For one they’re made in Britain. And for another they’re less than an hours drive away! 
Pat
Professional Boudoir Photographer
top studio lights go off for repair
Related Posts
Want tips for your boudoir photography? You're in luck - I've written a series of FREE articles to help you get the best from your boudoir experience.
Click here for your FREE Boudoir tips now. And be the first to find out about special offers in your Inner Beauty Photography Newsletter.
Bookmark and promote!
