On Friday, August 29, 2003, at 08:44 AM, David Preutz wrote:
However, far more important than this, 2003 is the 50th anniversary of that
British photographic institution called Strobe(x).
Sadly, it seems they're going to cease trading at the end of September as
there doesn't seem to be enough call for their fantastic kit. Probably
because it hardly ever goes wrong & therefore rarely needs replacing.
Strobe- dear Strobe. You'll have to forgive me Ed - I can't really work out a way to couple this to a digital thread, but having had a more than just cursory connection to Strobe for 35 years I do feel compelled to write a bit.
My first Strobe experience was at the Polytechnic of central London, 68 - 71. they had a couple of 5000 consoles which we weren't allowed to touch. we had to have a technician to operate them for us. Seemed strange as we were let loose with the then equally lethal Balcars - I actually - believe it or not - used a couple of Balcars to shoot by the Poly swimming pool. Crap shots but the risk now makes me shudder!
Fast forward to 71- working for Duffy, with what I think must have been one of the very first 5000 units. I remember having to be careful how we used it, allowing the (oil filled?) capacitors to warm up gently, plus the ringflash made out of a pudding dish plus the precursor to the Swimming Pool - a one off light bank with 12 - 16 individual heads in a bank. I blew that 5000 - after a long day I forgot to discharge before turning the selector switch (long before the interlocking clutch system) which wrecked a day's shoot with 3 models, make-up, stylist etc. Didn't half make a big blue spark which blew all the fuses in the studio. Thought I would get the sack but after he'd cooled down dear Duffy treated me to a a meal after I raced to Turnmill Street in a fast black and got it all fixed in an hour or so. I think it was Margaret who ran things at Strobe in those days,
In 1974, after 4 days in the employ of Keith Johnson, I was charged with collecting a 5000 console and a Super Fish Fryer and SF stand and delivering it to Ken Ross-Mckenzie at Cadbury's in Bournville in a Morris Marina. Arriving in Turnmill St at 09.30, David hadn't, of course, quite finished building the stuff. 14.30, with the front seat removed, I set off. Arrived at Bournville 17.00. Set it all up. Got back to Gt Marlborough St at 20.30 to give the car back to Peter Tallent. Next morning at 06.00 David Ballantine (now of the Pro-Centre) picked me up to take me to Photokina - those were the days.
So - at KJP we continued to sell Strobe gear at a premium - + 15% I think, because we had a standing order with David so we could offer a shorter lead time (2-3 weeks against his 3-4 months). Eventually in 1986 we managed to seal a deal (largely due to Hardy Haase now at Hasselblad UK).
So - we bought stock from David and exhibited at Photokina 86. I have to say I became a real Strobe expert and the accolade was when David told me he had listened to my sales pitch and was very impressed. That was praise indeed. It was interesting to see the (mainly) german photographers who initially derided the product as large and old fashioned, particularly when thwy compared strobe with their much smaller low voltage 5000K Units, but gradually became converts when they started to understand the unique light output offered. The other manufacturers saw Strobe as a unique almost non competitive product.
So I enjoyed very nice sales trips to Bologna and New York, but there was never really enough sales margin to allow it to work - and David viewed every user as his own personal customer, so there were always problems. With the Takeover of KJP by Wolseley in 87 it all died a death.
At that time we also worked with Tim and Rob - and I wish them both well.
One last thing. being a larger organisation, at KJP we stored all the bits and pieces in fixed locations in the warehouse. So when we delivered a 5000 we sent out the control console, the bodywork, the 5 capacitor boxes, and the back plate. Yes - but the backplate screw holes didn't fit. I understood why when I saw the final assembly. Put the back-plate in and drill the holes in situ with an electric drill. No template. Truly one-offs.
End of an era
----------------------- Best, Francis Newman Webshot Ltd, UK
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