Alien Bee vs. Opus Pro Lighting

[328iGuy]

Hoping to get some insight....

Unfortunately I am located in Canada and Alien Bee is only in the US, therefore the shipping costs are going to be quite large to get lighting shipped.

I am wondering, for the equivalent of something like the "Alien Bee Beginner" setup with an AB400 or even a pair of AB400's with stands etc... what would be the equivalent in an Opus Pro setup http://www.opusprophoto.com (http://www.opusprophoto.com/)) and will the quality be there?

I have not heard anything about Opus Pro but it seems to be widely sold locally in Ottawa.

Will there be THAT much of a difference to warant the large extra cost of shipping + exchange?

I would also like to hear from others that may have some Opus Pro equipment!

Thanks a lot

[SkipD]

I don't know who actually makes them, but the "home studio" series they have is not worth having except possibly as auxiliary lights. Those lights are private-labelled for many "manufacturers".

The "professional" and "location" series of lights in the Opus line are much better, but still not up to the performance standards of the AlienBees. There are two specs that jump right out at me. First is the recycle time - 3 seconds vs AB's 1 second or less. Another thing is the turndown (the ability to reduce the light output). The Opus units can be turned down to 1/8 of full power, while the AB units can be turned down as much as 1/32 of full power - and with a continuous control, not switches. A third thing that pops out at me is that the Opus' modelling lights can't be turn down to the same ratio as the flash output.

The bottom line is that there is a huge difference in the product as compare to the AlienBees lights.

[328iGuy]

The bottom line is that there is a huge difference in the product as compare to the AlienBees lights.

This is what I need to know, thanks for the input. Even though you are making my decision easier for me but harder on the pocket book! :lol:

[StephenJames]

I've played with both.. a friend of mine has a pair of Alien Bees.. and they win hands down! It will be money well spent!

[328iGuy]

I've played with both.. a friend of mine has a pair of Alien Bees.. and they win hands down! It will be money well spent!

I think I will definitely go with an AB setup. I am considering a single setup for now though to save me a divorce. :lol:

Thinking of the AB400, stand and umbrella with a large reflector to start, from what I have heard this can work nicely.