Bowens Gemini 200/200 Kit

The Gemini 200/200 kit is Bowen’s entry-level studio flash kit and includes two 200w/s heads, two light stands, two 90cm umbrellas, cables and a carry case.

The Gemini 200/200 is quite an expensive kit but the build quality of the heads is great with a metal casing and the umbrellas have a similarly reassuring feel with thick material and a solid mechanism. The lighting stands aren’t quite so impressive, though, with thinner base legs, although once erected they’re more than sturdy enough, and fully extended they give you plenty of reach for high angles.
There’s a power dial to vary output between 6-200w/s and this can be set incrementally, not just in full stops, so you’ve got plenty of control. Standard power cables are supplied for connecting the heads directly to the mains, but this Gemini kit is also compatible with travelpak battery packs (£490-£560), via a 16-pin battery input socket, which is a nice bonus for shooting out on location. The flash can be triggered via the supplied sync cable, or as a slave using the built-in photocell and once the head has fired, there’s a lamp and beep to confirm it’s recycled.

Performance & Handling
Setup is quick and easy as there are no softboxes to put together, although the Bowens ‘S’ type mount means these heads are compatible with a large range of accessories if you want to expand your options. Each head connects to the light stand via a large metal arm, which is convenient for adjusting the direction of the flash. There’s also a 5m sync cable, long enough for most shots, but if you do need more reach the sync-in socket on the back of the head accepts a 6.3mm jack.
The modelling lamps are a bright 250w, and their output adjusts proportionally alongside the flash power, which is very helpful in previewing the flash results. The guide number is listed as GN54 which, on paper, puts the Gemini kit towards the more powerful end, although we only managed to achieve GN32 (ISO 100, 1m) which isn’t any more than the competition. On the plus side, we clocked full- power recycle times at a respectable 1.5secs.

AT A GLANCE
Fuse rating: 5 amp
Stated recycle times (full power): 0.7secs
Recycle confirm: Lamp & beep
Modelling lamp: 250w Halostar
Flash duration: 1/1200secs
Power range: 6 - 200w/s
Colour Temperature: 5600ºk (+/-300ºk)
Mount: Bowens ‘S’ type
Weight: 2.1kg
Dimensions: 310x170x130mm

www.bowens.co.uk