Line Lights for Machine Vision Applications
Line scan lights provide concentrated illumination for machine vision systems inspecting moving products, continuous materials, and high-speed production lines. They are commonly paired with line scan cameras, which capture an image one line at a time as the product moves through the inspection area.
VA Imaging Inc. supplies standard and high-brightness line scan lighting for industrial automation applications throughout the United States. Typical uses include conveyor inspection, film and web inspection, print verification, surface defect detection, glass inspection, electronics manufacturing, and continuous material inspection.
The VA line light range is available with emitting lengths from 100 to 1500 mm. Selecting the right configuration depends on inspection width, production speed, exposure time, working distance, material properties, and the contrast required for reliable machine vision inspection.
Line Scan Light Options for Industrial Inspection
VA Imaging Inc. offers two line light series for different illumination requirements: the VA-LLS5 standard line light series and the VA-LLHB2 high-brightness line light series.
| Specification | VA-LLS5 Standard Line Light | VA-LLHB2 High-Brightness Line Light |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Standard line light | High-brightness line light |
| Emitting length | 100–1500 mm | 100–1500 mm |
| Emitting width | 25 mm | 25 mm |
| Power range | 29–432 W* | 52–750 W* |
| Cable configuration | 4 or 6 poles* | 4 or 6 poles* |
| Supply | Current-controlled 48 V | Current-controlled 48 V |
| Typical use | General continuous inspection | High-speed or higher-intensity inspection |
*Depending on the selected model.
The VA-LLS5 is suited to general line scan systems where stable illumination is required across the inspection width.
The VA-LLHB2 provides greater light output and is particularly relevant when higher line rates, short exposure times, challenging surfaces, or fast-moving material increase the required illumination intensity.
Why Line Scan Cameras Need Controlled Illumination
A line scan camera builds the final image from many successive one-dimensional exposures.
Because each captured line becomes part of the final image, variations in illumination can be repeated throughout the inspection and affect image consistency.
Illumination Across the Scan Width
The light should provide consistent coverage across the full area viewed by the camera.
If the edges of the field of view receive less illumination than the center, the final image may show unwanted brightness differences. Correct light length, alignment, mounting position, and working distance help maintain uniform coverage.
Stability During Continuous Inspection
Light output also needs to remain stable as successive image lines are captured.
Changes in illumination over time can appear as repeating bright or dark bands in the completed image. A stable light and suitable power supply therefore contribute directly to repeatable inspection results.
How to Select a Line Scan Light
Line scan lighting should be selected around the complete machine vision system rather than by physical dimensions alone.
Inspection Width
The emitting area should cover the full field of view required by the line scan camera.
For applications inspecting wide sheets, webs, films, or conveyors, the selected light should provide usable illumination across the complete inspection width.
VA-LLS5 and VA-LLHB2 models are available with emitting lengths from 100 to 1500 mm.
Production Speed and Exposure Time
Production speed affects how much time the camera has to capture each section of the product.
Higher line rates often require shorter exposure times. In these situations, the light needs to provide sufficient intensity during a very short exposure period.
Applications operating at particularly high speeds may benefit from a high-brightness line light such as the VA-LLHB2.
Working Distance
Working distance affects both illumination intensity and coverage.
The line light position should therefore be evaluated together with:
- Camera position
- Lens field of view
- Inspection width
- Available mounting space
- Object geometry
Surface Characteristics
Different materials interact with illumination in different ways.
Polished metal, glass, transparent film, dark plastic, printed packaging, and textured surfaces may all require different light angles or wavelengths.
For reflective materials, changing the position of the light can sometimes improve the image more effectively than simply increasing intensity.
Required Image Contrast
The objective is not to make the object as bright as possible.
The lighting should create enough contrast between the target feature and its surroundings for the camera and image-processing system to detect it reliably.
Lighting angle, wavelength, exposure, and surface properties all influence the resulting contrast.
How to Choose a Line Scan Light for Machine Vision
Choosing a line scan light starts with the inspection width, working distance and speed of the application.
Inspection Width
The illuminated area should cover the complete field of view of the line scan camera.
For wide sheets, conveyors or continuous webs, the selected line light should provide consistent illumination across the full inspection width. VA Imaging offers emitting lengths from 100 to 1500 mm.
Working Distance
Working distance affects both illumination intensity and coverage.
The light position should be evaluated together with the camera position, field of view, mounting space and inspection width.
Production Speed and Exposure Time
Higher production speeds generally reduce the time available for each exposure.
Applications with high line rates or short exposure times may therefore require a higher-intensity light such as the VA-LLHB2 series.
Object Surface and Contrast
The surface of the inspected material affects how the light is reflected toward the camera.
Matte, reflective, transparent, dark and textured surfaces can require different lighting angles or intensities. The goal is not simply to make the object brighter, but to create enough contrast between the feature being inspected and its surroundings.
Machine Vision Lighting for High-Speed Production
Line scan lighting is particularly useful for industrial processes where products or materials move continuously.
Common applications include:
- Conveyor inspection
- Roll-to-roll inspection
- Film and foil inspection
- Print and packaging inspection
- Surface defect detection
- Glass and sheet inspection
- PCB and electronics inspection
- Textile inspection
- Long-part inspection
- Continuous material measurement
Unlike an area scan camera, which captures a complete image in one exposure, a line scan camera continuously records narrow sections as the product moves.
This makes line scan systems particularly effective for long products, continuous materials, and high-speed manufacturing processes.
Wavelength Selection for Better Contrast
The wavelength of a line scan light can influence how clearly a feature appears in the image.
White illumination is a practical choice for many general industrial inspection applications. In other systems, a specific visible or non-visible wavelength may improve separation between the feature and surrounding material.
Depending on the application and configuration, Red, Green, Blue, UV, and IR options are available on request.
A different wavelength may be useful when:
- Specific colors need stronger separation
- Printed information has limited contrast
- Surface features respond differently to visible light
- UV-responsive details need to be detected
- IR improves material differentiation
- Ambient illumination needs to be controlled
Camera sensitivity should also be considered before selecting a non-standard wavelength.
Power Supply and Electrical Integration
Line scan lighting needs to be integrated correctly into the machine's electrical system.
The VA-LLS5 and VA-LLHB2 series operate with a stable, current-controlled 48 V supply. A compatible VA-PS4-CD power supply should be selected according to the power requirement of the chosen model.
Depending on the light size and power, either a 4-pole or 6-pole cable configuration is required.
Before installation, verify:
- Selected line light model
- Power consumption
- Compatible 48 V supply
- Cable configuration
- Cable routing
- Cooling requirements
- Available installation space
- Camera integration
- Machine control requirements
Reviewing these requirements early in the machine build can help prevent unnecessary changes during installation or commissioning.
Line Scan Light Selection for OEMs and Machine Builders
For OEMs, system integrators, and machine builders, lighting should be considered early in the machine vision design process.
Before specifying a line scan light, define the main imaging requirements:
| System requirement | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Inspection width | Determines the required emitting length |
| Production speed | Influences line rate and available exposure |
| Camera model | Determines sensor sensitivity and imaging requirements |
| Lens and field of view | Defines the inspection area |
| Working distance | Influences illumination intensity and coverage |
| Surface material | Affects reflection and lighting geometry |
| Feature to detect | Determines the contrast required |
| Wavelength | Can improve feature separation |
| Mounting space | Limits the available lighting position |
| Power availability | Determines power supply and cable requirements |
Troubleshooting Common Line Scan Imaging Problems
Line scan image quality issues are often related to illumination or integration.
The Image Gets Darker as Production Speed Increases
Check the line rate, exposure time, illumination intensity, and working distance. A higher-output light may be required if the available exposure time becomes too short.
Brightness Varies Across the Image
Check the line light length, alignment, working distance, and whether the full field of view receives consistent illumination.
Repeating Bright or Dark Bands Appear
Repeated bands can indicate inconsistent light output or an unstable power configuration between successive captured lines.
Reflections Hide Surface Defects
Adjust the light angle to reduce direct reflections. The best position depends on the material and feature being inspected.
The Image Is Bright but Contrast Is Poor
Increasing intensity may not solve a contrast problem. Evaluate wavelength, light angle, exposure, and surface characteristics instead.
Standard and Application-Specific Line Scan Lighting
The VA-LLS5 and VA-LLHB2 ranges cover emitting lengths from 100 to 1500 mm.
When a standard configuration does not match the application, VA Imaging Inc. can help evaluate specific requirements related to inspection width, wavelength, working distance, and illumination intensity.
Useful application information includes:
- Camera model
- Inspection width
- Production speed
- Line rate
- Exposure time
- Working distance
- Material or surface
- Required feature or defect
- Available mounting space
- Preferred wavelength
Providing this information helps our team evaluate the complete imaging requirement rather than selecting a line light by dimensions alone.
Local Machine Vision Support in the United States
VA Imaging Inc. supports machine vision and industrial automation projects throughout the United States from our U.S. office in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Our team works with manufacturers, engineers, OEMs, machine builders, and system integrators on industrial cameras, lenses, machine vision lighting, and related imaging components.
For line scan applications, VA Imaging Inc. can help evaluate the lighting together with the camera, lens, inspection width, working distance, production speed, and electrical requirements.
Local support can be particularly useful when comparing standard and high-brightness line lighting or configuring a new high-speed inspection system.
Frequently Asked Questions About Line Scan Lights
Talk to Our U.S. Machine Vision Team
The right line scan light depends on the complete imaging system, not only the light length or maximum output.
Share your camera model, inspection width, working distance, production speed, material, and inspection objective with VA Imaging Inc. Our U.S. team can help evaluate the most suitable line scan lighting configuration for your application.
Ask Our U.S. Machine Vision TeamReviews VA Imaging
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10Absolutely thrilled
I am absolutely thrilled with the MER2-160-227U3M camera I purchased from VA-Imaging. The camera exceeds my expectations in every way. The image quality is sharp and clear, even with fast movements... I am absolutely thrilled with the MER2-160-227U3M camera I purchased from VA-Imaging. The camera exceeds my expectations in every way. The image quality is sharp and clear, even with fast movements. Installation was straightforward. VA-Imaging's customer service was also outstanding. They were very helpful in answering my questions and delivered the camera quickly and securely.
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8Cameras are a great value for money
The cameras are a great value for money and the lenses also. The software is outdated and needs refreshing. It took me considerable amount of time to discover how to access the camera features. The cameras are a great value for money and the lenses also. The software is outdated and needs refreshing. It took me considerable amount of time to discover how to access the camera features.
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Its a pleasure to contact with the sales department. They are very polite and always ready to help. Our orders are always delivered on time and the communication is easy and simple. High quality pr... Its a pleasure to contact with the sales department. They are very polite and always ready to help. Our orders are always delivered on time and the communication is easy and simple. High quality products.
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10embedded camera
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It was easy and quick process from ordering to receiving. One personal message from the team is making it even better. Thanks It was easy and quick process from ordering to receiving. One personal message from the team is making it even better. Thanks
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10Excellent quality material and attentive and reliable supplier
In the commercial phase we had maximum support and delivery times were respected. The material is quite good with low and competitive costs. In the commercial phase we had maximum support and delivery times were respected. The material is quite good with low and competitive costs.
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10Fast cable delivery
I had ordered a camera but forgotten to include the required cable. the cable was ordered and delivered very fast. I had ordered a camera but forgotten to include the required cable. the cable was ordered and delivered very fast.
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8Fast delivery
Fast delivery even without paying the speed premium Fast delivery even without paying the speed premium
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9Fast Delivery and good quality!
A very good company, I will continue to cooperate next time! A very good company, I will continue to cooperate next time!
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10Fast service
Extremely fast service. I got the camera next day. Highly recommend the seller! Thank you! Extremely fast service. I got the camera next day. Highly recommend the seller! Thank you!
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Top, good experience. Very attentive and quick to respond. Product arrived in good condition. Top, good experience. Very attentive and quick to respond. Product arrived in good condition.
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10Good products and services
Lead time are a bit long but they VA imaging is a reliable provider that simply does what it says. Each time we needed to talk to someone, we had a proper client service with real listening and the... Lead time are a bit long but they VA imaging is a reliable provider that simply does what it says. Each time we needed to talk to someone, we had a proper client service with real listening and the will to find solutions.
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So far, all components meet expectation, it would be great, though, if 3d models for all components were available. So far, all components meet expectation, it would be great, though, if 3d models for all components were available.
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10Great
These people know their subject. Thanks to their help, I was able to successfully complete my machine vision project. They are competent in optics and that makes the difference. Delivery and post-d... These people know their subject. Thanks to their help, I was able to successfully complete my machine vision project. They are competent in optics and that makes the difference. Delivery and post-delivery service at the highest level.
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9Great customer service, fast delivery.
Unfortunately they could not help me finding a suitable camera+lens combination for a specific application, but they even assigned a physicist to my query. Unfortunately they could not help me finding a suitable camera+lens combination for a specific application, but they even assigned a physicist to my query.
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10Great customer support, products and prices
I contacted GeT Cameras to help out with selecting the best camera and lens solution for me. They provided great support. I ordered with express and received the products 2 days later :) I contacted GeT Cameras to help out with selecting the best camera and lens solution for me. They provided great support. I ordered with express and received the products 2 days later :)
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Bought quite a few cameras from these guys, prices are great, service is great, delivery times of the hardware is also very nice. Bought quite a few cameras from these guys, prices are great, service is great, delivery times of the hardware is also very nice.
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10Great products. Excellent support.
GeT Cameras in Germany made some photo's of our products to show the performance of their cameras and they looked perfect. Recently we purchased a camera with lens, and LED lights. We are not exper... GeT Cameras in Germany made some photo's of our products to show the performance of their cameras and they looked perfect. Recently we purchased a camera with lens, and LED lights. We are not experienced with machine vision but the installation worked out fine. After installation on our laboratory we were surprised again of the high quality of the photos and the versatility of this system. (options in Galaxy viewer and integration in Python. Recently we had an issue with the software and the customer support was able to give us the relevant information to fix it within one day. The next time we need a camera we will not be looking to other suppliers but contact GeT Cameras immediately.
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I needed a replacement part for a camera - not only was it delivered almost two weeks earlier than expected, but it also arrived well packaged. I needed a replacement part for a camera - not only was it delivered almost two weeks earlier than expected, but it also arrived well packaged.
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10Great support and inhouse knowledge of the cameras
First I was a little bit sceptic about buying online industrial cameras. It’s a critical part for our machine. For a new product development there was a lot of price pressure. We needed a cheap cam... First I was a little bit sceptic about buying online industrial cameras. It’s a critical part for our machine. For a new product development there was a lot of price pressure. We needed a cheap camera. I called them and Caspar was providing great support. He even advised a cheaper camera than I had in mind. I was just surprised by the inhouse knowledge of get cameras about machine vision. Never expected this from a webshop. The image an built quality of the camera is also great. The camera feels and operates the same as our Basler cameras.
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10Great support by email
I ordered a 20MP USB3 camera including a lens 2 months ago for a datamatrix code reading application. In the beginning I was sceptic because of the low prices, but support by email was great. They ... I ordered a 20MP USB3 camera including a lens 2 months ago for a datamatrix code reading application. In the beginning I was sceptic because of the low prices, but support by email was great. They advise a lens and provided additional technical information. Unfortunately they don't offer a loan service, but I decided to try it. I had the cameras in house within 2 weeks and connection was easy. The SDK looks like the SDK from Basler so I felt directly comfortable with it. The camera and lens was a perfect match and now I'm able to read small DMC codes on large products with just a single camera.
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10Great support while selecting a lens
We have bought a 20MP camera and lens with extension tubes to use it as a digital microscope in our lab. The support with selecting a lens was great. Connecting the USB3 camera was easy. We receive... We have bought a 20MP camera and lens with extension tubes to use it as a digital microscope in our lab. The support with selecting a lens was great. Connecting the USB3 camera was easy. We received everything on time.
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10High quality
High quality components and service! My order was handled quickly and arrived ahead of schedule. Would recommend. High quality components and service! My order was handled quickly and arrived ahead of schedule. Would recommend.
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10I like the quality and price of the camera
I bought a camera and lens. It was delivered fast. Connecting was easy using their quickstep article. The image quality is really great. I bought a camera and lens. It was delivered fast. Connecting was easy using their quickstep article. The image quality is really great.
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10It is important to have a skilled and efficient team of workers to get the goods efficiently.
Maintained a good relationship and very good communication from start to finish to purchase the item. Maintained a good relationship and very good communication from start to finish to purchase the item.
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Get Cameras were extremely kind to sponsor us with some amazing equipment for our RoboCup student team, Delft Mercurians. We had no issues with the cameras, they perform as advertised and enabled u... Get Cameras were extremely kind to sponsor us with some amazing equipment for our RoboCup student team, Delft Mercurians. We had no issues with the cameras, they perform as advertised and enabled us to continue with the project and the company was extremely supportive of us overall. The customer service staff was friendly, easy to approach and helped us select the appropriate products which fit our use case perfectly.
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8Perfect customer interaction
Good site and perfect customer interaction. Good site and perfect customer interaction.
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10Products delivered sooner than promised
Ordered products were delivered sooner than promised, all ordered items were included in the package and we had no problems to make them work (cameras work with the attached software and with Matlab). Ordered products were delivered sooner than promised, all ordered items were included in the package and we had no problems to make them work (cameras work with the attached software and with Matlab).
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10Professional support, fast delivery and good product.
I liked that your team helped me chose the needed equipment by my description. The items that i have ordered are exactly what i have looked for. I liked that your team helped me chose the needed equipment by my description. The items that i have ordered are exactly what i have looked for.
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10Prompt responses to many questions
Prompt responses to our many questions. A good selection of cameras despite shortages elsewhere in the industry and we have been able to specify some of these cameras to keep projects moving forwar... Prompt responses to our many questions. A good selection of cameras despite shortages elsewhere in the industry and we have been able to specify some of these cameras to keep projects moving forward. We continue to buy regularly.
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Reachable by phone and smooth cooperation. Invoice provided without the need for extra requesting for it. Reachable by phone and smooth cooperation. Invoice provided without the need for extra requesting for it.
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10Quick responses and good selection of cameras
Prompt responses to our many questions. A good selection of cameras despite shortages elsewhere in the industry and we have been able to specify some of these cameras to keep projects moving forwar... Prompt responses to our many questions. A good selection of cameras despite shortages elsewhere in the industry and we have been able to specify some of these cameras to keep projects moving forward. We continue to buy from Get-Cameras regularly.
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10Quick shipping and excellent customer service
The customer service is quick, friendly and helpful, shipping takes place fast and the quality of cameras and accessoires is excellent. Very useful is also the provided software, including coding e... The customer service is quick, friendly and helpful, shipping takes place fast and the quality of cameras and accessoires is excellent. Very useful is also the provided software, including coding examples to implement the cameras in our systems.
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10Really nice products
i called them and they proposed the camera, lens and light setup. I received everything 2 days later. Tested it and it works. I didn't expect such a good image quality for the total set price. They... i called them and they proposed the camera, lens and light setup. I received everything 2 days later. Tested it and it works. I didn't expect such a good image quality for the total set price. They recommended the cheapest camera they had, but it's perfect for detecting the defects on my products.
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9Suitable product for us
We already have several of your cameras. These are for stock only. Since we are taking them into stock, that means we are happy with them. Only lead time is little bit longer. We already have several of your cameras. These are for stock only. Since we are taking them into stock, that means we are happy with them. Only lead time is little bit longer.
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10The German-speaking customer service team is very attentive to our needs.
We greatly value our collaboration with VA Imaging. The German-speaking account managers always address our individual requirements and consistently find suitable solutions, even for last-minute ch... We greatly value our collaboration with VA Imaging. The German-speaking account managers always address our individual requirements and consistently find suitable solutions, even for last-minute changes. Thanks to their support and flexibility, we have always been able to implement our projects quickly and smoothly. Thank you for the excellent collaboration!
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8Very good service
We are very happy with the quality of goods and services. We are very happy with the quality of goods and services.
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10Very good value for money
The camera arrived on schedule and gives excellent images. Very good value for money. The SDK makes it very easy to acquire images into a program of my own written using C++Builder (about 2 hours p... The camera arrived on schedule and gives excellent images. Very good value for money. The SDK makes it very easy to acquire images into a program of my own written using C++Builder (about 2 hours programming).
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10Very happy with the support
I was using cameras from a German competitor, but I was not happy with the support. They contacted me and we where able to select a camera with the same sensor. I received the camera within 2 days.... I was using cameras from a German competitor, but I was not happy with the support. They contacted me and we where able to select a camera with the same sensor. I received the camera within 2 days. It took me half a day to implement their SDK into my software so it was relative easy.
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10Very helpful customer service
We needed a vision camera for our project very urgently. They where able to deliver it in a few days time. They responded quick to my emails also when I needed support. They send me an article how ... We needed a vision camera for our project very urgently. They where able to deliver it in a few days time. They responded quick to my emails also when I needed support. They send me an article how to quickly install the camera and set the most important parameters. it was very helpfull and within half an hour we had a good live view image. We have also ordered the lens they advised. It provides a nice and sharp image.
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10Very pleasant contact, quick response
My questions were answered very quickly. The right camera was determined quickly and the order placed immediately. Camera delivered within two days. I hope to do business again in the future! My questions were answered very quickly. The right camera was determined quickly and the order placed immediately. Camera delivered within two days. I hope to do business again in the future!
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10Very smooth transaction
Great seller, good comunication, ship very fast. Great seller, good comunication, ship very fast.
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