Advice on AlienBees Softboxes?

[dphoto]

Hello all,

I'm going to buy a couple of alienbees B800 strobes, and I want to buy a softbox as well. I'm trying to decide between a photoflex box and an alienbees box. I've had the photoflex boxes recommended to me, but I haven't heard anything about the alienbees. The alienbees are quite a bit cheaper, due in part to the fact that they come with a speed ring for their strobes (this costs extra for the photoflex).

Has anyone used an alienbees softbox or heard anything about them? How is the quality?

Thanks a lot for any info that you can share!
-Deva

[Longwatcher]

I have their giant softbox and other then it was larger then I thought it was, it works real well.

As to quality,
of the pictures, great
of the softbox, I can't compare to photoflex, but I consider the alien bee softbox to be well made overall, but at the same time I am guessing at a 3 year hard use replacement (for me it should last around 7-10 years) before the cloth starts going. Then again, it does appear to be pretty tough at the same time.

Definately recommend if you are getting the discount with your lights.

[MediaMagic]

Alien bees are excellent strobes and the softboxes are nice too. I would suggest looking at one of their octagon boxes for more pleasant catch lights, but all of the softboxes are of excellent quality and usability.

[TonyKInTexas]

I have the large AB softbox and the PhotoFlex medium softbox. I like the PhotoFlex because it is easier to assembly and has a front defusser that I can take off if desired. The AB softbox is not as flexible but represents a good value still.

[dphoto]

Hey guys,

Great! Thanks for sharing your experiences with the softboxes. I'm going to go ahead and try the AlienBees. :)

Thanks again,
-Deva