Westcott uLite is a potential replacement for Westcott TD3 for location photography

For 2016 we plan to evaluate lighting both for photo studios as well as for location photography. We at FLAAR have been reviewing lighting for photography for over fifteen years.

Precisely ten years ago we looked at the Westcott TD3 as an option for photographing outside (in locations with no electricity, where you would have to bring your own batteries). Today, in 2016, Spiderlite TD3 is not available; and frankly the new Westcott uLite looks even better.

I say better because it offers a single fluorescent lamp which is 85 watts compared with 50 watt lamps, which less wattage-per-bulb for the old TD3. Plus the uLite comes with the option of a 6' reflector.

When I do studio photography, or outdoor photography, of flowers, we prefer to have backlighting. A softbox is too large (too visible, so would be seen in the background). So I prefer a uLite 6' reflector.

We do not yet have any Westcott uLite, so we hope to have two to evaluate this year (with a set of Spiderlite TD6). We would use two TD6 for side lighting and two for front lighting, and the two uLite for backlighting.

This comment on the uLite and TD6 is written in January 2016.
The rest of the discussion on this page is from 2006-2008.

Westcott TD3 Spiderlite as a portable alternative for photography outside.

Westcott Spiderlite

We are looking for portable strobes to help in our digital photography of Mayan archaeology in Central America. At PMA 2006 trade show in Orlando Thomas Waltz, president of the F.J. Westcott Co. showed me the portable aspect of his new Spiderlite line of lighting.

At present we have the Westcott TD5 Spiderlites, since the extra light power of five lights is helpful in the studio. Out on location it is understandable that your battery lasts longer on less power, so the portable units have three lamps per unit.

We don’t yet have the portable TD3 Spiderlites, but they definitely look like they should be considered when you are shopping for portable strobe lights. The fixtures also work with tungsten and fluorescent lamps.

Personally I prefer actual lights rather than flash or strobe; I prefer to see my actual results before I shoot. I know, yes, strobes have modeling lights, but these are not the same strength (or the same effects) as the actual strobes.

I occasionally forget that these lights are called Spiderlite and write them Spiderlights. But I guess the idea is that they are light to carry. This aspect is helpful when out in remote areas.

Westcott Spiderlite TD3: Portable strobe lighting system

Westcott Spiderlite TD3 fluorescent for digital studio photography lighting

FLAAR has the Westcott Spiderlite TD5 fluorescent lighting, at our main studio in Guatemala, Central America.

The Westcott Spiderlite TD3 system is at BGSU in the College of Technology, for students of digital photography. This is not a portable set, but for a traditional studio.

Presently we (FLAAR) have only the fluorescent lighting (the fluorescent lamps). But the Westcott Spiderlite TD5 system will also allow using halogen lamps.

FLAAR has also experienced that fluorescent lighting is ideal for photographing plants and flowers, in greenhouses. So we would recommend that botanists consider using fluorescent lighting for photographing specimens in their botanical gardens.

Most recently updated Feb 5, 2008.
First posted Feb. 27, 2006.

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