Something about Alien Bees---AB800

[kenliu2610]

Hello everybody, I've read a few articles here and realize that the AB800 seems to be a great strobe for lighting.
Well, maybe I'm stupid, please forgive me for asking the questions below...:oops: :oops:

1. Could AB800 be used for outdoor shootings other than using in a studio??
2. Does it have an external battery pack??
3. What about its GN value?? Does the GN higher than 580EX??
4. I can't find AB800 to order in HK, if I order in HK, will I have to pay a lot of shipment cost and tax??

Hope you guys could help me out for this...thank you very much!! :o :o

[Curtis N]

I believe answers to most, if not all, of your questions can be found at the AlienBees website. (http://alienbees.com/) You can also contact them directly if you have more questions.

[elTwitcho]

1 - With an external power source, either extension cord or power pack, absolutely

2 - It doesn't come with one, no. You can order one from Alienbees though. In normal use it just plugs into a grounded wall outlet.

3 - Dunno. I would wager that it's brighter simply because studio flash heads are as a general rule of thumb more powerful than on camera ones, but I really can't say for sure.

4- The only place you can order AB lighting, anywhere, is from their website. As for shipping and tax, that depends on your local tarrif laws and such. I can tell you that shipping might cost a little, I paid 150 dollars on tax and shipping for each package I ordered from alienbees, which adds up for sure, but was still cheaper and better than some of the comparable flash units available locally.

[Curtis N]

What about its GN value?? Does the GN higher than 580EX??I believe the AlienBees site will give you two guide numbers depending on which reflector you attach. Also be aware that the GN of the 580EX (or any flash unit with a zooming head) varies drastically depending on how you zoom it.

I point this out to illustrate that GN is highly dependant on the angle of coverage. The more area you illuminate, the less distance you get. So these GN figures really become useless when you fire them into an umbrella or softbox.

This makes it hard to compare the power of studio strobes to flash units. But I think it's safe to say that the least powerful unit in the AlienBees lineup will give you a lot more light than a 580EX when both are used with an umbrella or softbox.

[Reefbone]

From the Alien Bees website http://alienbees.com/specs.html

"We get a lot of questions asking, what is the "guide number" of your flash unit? This term is not wholly reliable because it relates more to the angle of the reflector than to the actual amount of light produced. For example, a flash unit with a given amount of light output will register a much higher guide number (f-stop at 10') if it has a narrow angle reflector (for telephoto lens) than if it has a wide angle reflector. But the actual amount of light is the same in both cases…it just covers more area with the wide angle reflector (at a lower guide number). In comparing flash units, the max GN of a flash unit is usually given for ISO 100 film. When it comes to choosing a flash unit, you have to be careful, as these measurements can be altered. It is common practice within the flash unit industry (for marketing reasons) to provide the max GN at the smallest coverage, as this will provide the longest focal length. Such a focused flash unit is more powerful, which produces a higher Guide Number, implying a more powerful output. Therefore, the max GNs of different flash units are usually not directly comparable. Studio flash units are designed to be used in many different configurations, with different accessories. The angle of coverage will be different in each case as will be the achieved guide number for a given amount of emitted light. As merely an indication of output, we publish the max guide numbers, noting that they are not true measurements of what you can do with our lights, as the real output will be determined by how you choose to modify the light."

[Croasdail]

I am using my AB 800s outdoors to do team pictures in the evenings. Not the best conditions but the ABs are working fine. This was taken from the middle of the field - no power cords - just aux power pack. So in a pinch - yes it works just fine. This was bounced from an umbrella to give a more even light spead.

[kenliu2610]

ic, the pic looks great!!
Let's see if AB800 + softbox is able to "light up" model's eyes for my portrait!!
:D :D