anyone use AlienBees?

[studiotime]

i've met only a few who've bought their system or parts, w/mixed reviews.

anyone? (i'm currently in the process of re-editing my shopping list for lighting, and of course wanted to still ask around before i go plopping down money).

also, any cheaper comparables to the profoto d4 power pack? asymetrical and f/stops are my 2 main concern here : )

thanks

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Alien Bees are just plain great lights for the money. Well built, good quality, amazing customer service, and a dependable product. A good lot of people on this forum use them. I've got four of them, myself.

[neil_r]

stand by to get crushed in the rush.

[ayotnoms]

Mosey on over to the Small Flash and Studio Lighting forum, do a search on Alienbees, and you'll get your answer.

The short version: Yes, many forum members use Alienbees.

[TMR Design]

I'm sure you'll find out for yourself but the general concensus is that Alien Bees strobes give you great bang for the buck. They perform well and everyone I know in these forums that owns or uses them always speaks highly of them and the company. They have excellent customer service and stand behind their products.

[MazerRakhm]

Bee's are a very popular brand on this board, I plan to pick up a set when I make my lighting order.

[davidfig]

I have only one light and its their B400. This is the least expensive and its already paid for it self in my first shoot. Soon I will be getting more.

[cdifoto]

I have just a single B1600. I'd say it's like a good prosumer Canon prime. Nice output but build quality isn't top of the line although not bad. The price makes up for it.

[SkipD]

I have several and plan to get a couple more - for a total of six. I plan to do large group photos as a retirement business in the not-too-distant future, and these work great.

[Longwatcher]

I liken Alien Bees to a 5D, there are better cameras out there, but the price starts going up dramatically for what you get.

Alien Bees are the 90% solution, to which the curve on price versus function goes up steeply after that point. I have two each AB400, 800 and 1600 because they are the best strobe for the money unless you can truly afford the next level up. (Elinchrom, Profoto, Broncolor, and a few more )

So I use them a lot and obviously like them.

[StealthLude]

stand by to get crushed in the rush.


haha, as soon as i saw the question I was gona type something like this lol.

Many many people on these forums love and use Alien Bee lights, Im one of them.

For the price, you cant go wrong, its a good light, and the AB customer service team impressed me.

I bought one AB800, then another AB800 and AB400 soon after. I still plan on buying more of their products when the times comes.

IMO its one of the best entry level lighting systems out there. If bang for the buck is what you want, then I think you will find that with ABs. Ive even seen some pros use them, there is a local portrait studio in my mall and they also use AB lights. As an owner of them, I was happy to see that since they use them everyday.

[AmpedPhoto]

also with AB if you buy a 400 AB and later down the road you can send them your 400 and they will upgrade ur light to a 800-1600. Cost is $25 plus the diffrence between the 400 and whichever you upgrade to. Pretty sweet customer service, I will be buy ABs for my studio

[themirage]

I got 2 400s and i'm about to order a 800

[TMR Design]

I have 3 B800's and a fourth on the way in a week. For the price there is no way I could have a 4 light setup with any other manufacturer. Yes, it's about price but they really do perform quite well.

[thekid24]

Love my Bees. Ive got a couple shoots already setup, so Im anxious to really put them to use.

[suyenfung]

have em, love em, no complaints whatsoever. click here to see a photo i took tonight with them (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=279848).

[Kristy]

I have on AB800 with the remote trigger that attaches to the hotshoe. I'm pleased so far and would really like to add a couple more lights this year... I think for the price, you really can't go wrong with them. :)

[studiotime]

ok, thanks cdi-ink and longwater - you guys are very helpful!!

i was looking at both the hensel and profoto (now who wouldn't love the D4 lol!), and i guess i'd be looking right now for something like:

2 packs, both asymetrical and f/stop controls

OR.....!

1 profoto d4 (where all 4 are asymetrical, plus f/stops)

the profoto however, for now, would be a "luxury" purchase, and thought i could maybe find a more affordable comparable.

[StealthLude]

ok, thanks cdi-ink and longwater - you guys are very helpful!!

i was looking at both the hensel and profoto (now who wouldn't love the D4 lol!), and i guess i'd be looking right now for something like:

2 packs, both asymetrical and f/stop controls

OR.....!

1 profoto d4 (where all 4 are asymetrical, plus f/stops)

the profoto however, for now, would be a "luxury" purchase, and thought i could maybe find a more affordable comparable.

have you even considered the cost of lighting modifiers for those other brands? Its so expencive for a set of grids, or some reflector...

If you have the money to blow on pro gear, I would give serious consideration to Speedotron lights, they are built like tanks....

Personally I would take Elinchrom over profoto, but thats just me. I think they have a much better product, expecially their digital monoblocks. Drool.

I dont think what brand light you buy is going to make you any better of a photographer... Learning how to use your light will. Ive seen people with DYI and flood lighting that put out better photos than some beginner with a high end lighting system.

[charlesu]

I have Bees, Speedo Blackline packs/heads and ProFoto 2400 packs/heads. I also used to have Photogenic Powerlights. Of all these, the Bees are the most cheaply made and the weakest (compared to their claimed power). In fact, their power performance is dismal compared to the others I have experience with.

That said, I agree that they are a good, cheap, starter lighting setup. For individual portraits and even small groups, they will be hard to touch for the money.

But, if you are hammering your flashes and/or need more power (intend to go professional) then you might want to hold out for something more robust. I use the Bees as backups and portable lighting (with their battery).

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Come now, Charles. Alien bees are the best in their class, I'd say. That said, the lights you're mentioning are in a completely different league. In many cases, thousands PER light. Rarely find a profoto head for under $1k. Hardly compared to $250.

Anyway, yeah.

[charlesu]

Come now, Charles. Alien bees are the best in their class, I'd say. That said, the lights you're mentioning are in a completely different league. In many cases, thousands PER light. Rarely find a profoto head for under $1k. Hardly compared to $250.

Anyway, yeah.

Well, I know of no other flashes in their price range or even close.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

That's all I'm saying, Charles. Apples and oranges. It's like comparing the 50 1.2L to the 50 1.8.

[StealthLude]

That's all I'm saying, Charles. Apples and oranges. It's like comparing the 50 1.2L to the 50 1.8.

haha, so true.

After looking at prices of profoto, elinchrom, and other like brands, I would be lucky to get one high end elinchrom power pack for the price of my entire AB studio, and then some.

[Smooth1]

AB1600s here. Love them.

[TMR Design]

Hey Smooth1,

Do you have a really big space or do groups a lot? I'm curious as to what method you use when you need to stop down and you either don't want to be be in the bottom end of the power slider or want considerably less power than even 1/32 power will give. Do you use ND filters? or barn doors with a small aperture?

[charlesu]

That's all I'm saying, Charles. Apples and oranges. It's like comparing the 50 1.2L to the 50 1.8.


Yeah but you can get used pro gear in the same price range as new ABs. So now you're getting pro quality gear at bargain, entry level prices. Case in point, I got a mint condition Speedo Blackline set up with 3 heads, case, powerpack, etc. for $900. More power, more consistent color temp, etc. for similar or less money.

Anyway, I have the ABs and still use them. They are cheap, light, pack easy, etc.

[TMR Design]

Hi Charles,

When you talk about more consistent color temperature and other things associated with pro studio strobes, can you ultimately tell the difference or see problems when you shoot with the Alien Bees? I guess what I'm saying is that in a blind a/b test, could you pick the shots that had the AB's?
Or is this like other gear where it's not so much about the end result but ease of use, better build and overall performance that perhaps a keen and experienced eye might see?
I would also imagine that a trained eye could see 1/10 stop differences whereas I, admittedly a lighting amateur cannot really discern 1/10 stops.

[charlesu]

Hi Charles,

When you talk about more consistent color temperature and other things associated with pro studio strobes, can you ultimately tell the difference or see problems when you shoot with the Alien Bees? I guess what I'm saying is that in a blind a/b test, could you pick the shots that had the AB's?
Or is this like other gear where it's not so much about the end result but ease of use, better build and overall performance that perhaps a keen and experienced eye might see?
I would also imagine that a trained eye could see 1/10 stop differences whereas I, admittedly a lighting amateur cannot really discern 1/10 stops.

Good question. You might want to check the test results on Shootsmarter.com They put about 20 different brands thru a color temp consistency test.

[nitekatt2006]

I use and recommend them to photography students and beginners who want to start experimenting with strobes and to help cure that nasty syndrome " a case of strobe terror." I really enjoy working with them, the light weight and portable packaging, the many extra products you can add to the system and the simplicity of operation.

I know they aren't in the class of Profoto or other high end gear, but the Bees deliver pro quality images. All the models I have shot with my 2 AB 800 have had amayzing skin tone accuracy and of course I always shoot with a makeup artist.

Many happy users here on the forum. The only thing that bugs me a bit are some of the bee colors like pink, I don't know, but i ordered black ones and I don't care for the big AB yellow logo on the carrying bags, i want to airbrush that out. That is my own preference, as i only like Black pro Canon DSLR, black lenses, or the exception of Canon 70-200 and "L" series, black bags, cables, umbrellas, etc. I black out any noticable logos on anything I buy, just my own quirk, haha katt

[charlesu]

I use and recommend them to photography students and beginners who want to start experimenting with strobes and to help cure that nasty syndrome " a case of strobe terror." I really enjoy working with them, the light weight and portable packaging, the many extra products you can add to the system and the simplicity of operation.

I know they aren't in the class of Profoto or other high end gear, but the Bees deliver pro quality images. All the models I have shot with my 2 AB 800 have had amayzing skin tone accuracy and of course I always shoot with a makeup artist.

Many happy users here on the forum. The only thing that bugs me a bit are some of the bee colors like pink, I don't know, but i ordered black ones and I don't care for the big AB yellow logo on the carrying bags, i want to airbrush that out. That is my own preference, as i only like Black pro Canon DSLR, black lenses, or the exception of Canon 70-200 and "L" series, black bags, cables, umbrellas, etc. I black out any noticable logos on anything I buy, just my own quirk, haha katt


LOL I actually ordered my Bees in ugly colors so that no one would steal them. Who the heck wants a YELLOW or GREEN flash??? Well I don't really care and so that's what I ordered. No one has tried to steal them yet. I expect that if they did, they will bring them right back when they see what they got! LOL

[Kristy]

[quote=charlesu;2757570]Yeah but you can get used pro gear in the same price range as new ABs. So now you're getting pro quality gear at bargain, entry level prices. Case in point, I got a mint condition Speedo Blackline set up with 3 heads, case, powerpack, etc. for $900. More power, more consistent color temp, etc. for similar or less money.

quote]

Since you have done this, how do you find used Pro equipment for sale? I'd be interested, but have no idea where to find used lighting.

Also, since you have both sets, do you know if an AB would fire another brand using the remote hotshoe sensor thing....? I have only one light and am ready to add more, and am wondering what limitations I may have if I try to mix and match.

[charlesu]

[quote=charlesu;2757570]Yeah but you can get used pro gear in the same price range as new ABs. So now you're getting pro quality gear at bargain, entry level prices. Case in point, I got a mint condition Speedo Blackline set up with 3 heads, case, powerpack, etc. for $900. More power, more consistent color temp, etc. for similar or less money.

quote]

Since you have done this, how do you find used Pro equipment for sale? I'd be interested, but have no idea where to find used lighting.

Also, since you have both sets, do you know if an AB would fire another brand using the remote hotshoe sensor thing....? I have only one light and am ready to add more, and am wondering what limitations I may have if I try to mix and match.

I'm a big believer in buying used and am fortunate enough to have several camera shops close by that deal in used gear. I've bought tons of lighting gear that way--but always after testing it and getting at least a limited 30 or 60 day warranty.

Of course, you can always get used gear online. There's a marketplace here on POTN as well as other forums, ebay and the big NY camera shops. Just be careful.

Most strobe systems have an optical slave sensor and will trigger off of another flash. Or you can connect them via IR or radio (better) slaves.

[michael88]

Hey Kristy, It might be a bit af a drive for you, but tempe camera (http://www.tempecamera.com/) has an OK supply of used gear.

[TMR Design]

B&H has used equipment. Sometimes there are very good prices there and they have an excellent rating system that is usually conservative.

[Kristy]

Hey Kristy, It might be a bit af a drive for you, but tempe camera (http://www.tempecamera.com/) has an OK supply of used gear.

[quote=Kristy;2764329]

I'm a big believer in buying used and am fortunate enough to have several camera shops close by that deal in used gear. I've bought tons of lighting gear that way--but always after testing it and getting at least a limited 30 or 60 day warranty.

Of course, you can always get used gear online. There's a marketplace here on POTN as well as other forums, ebay and the big NY camera shops. Just be careful.

Most strobe systems have an optical slave sensor and will trigger off of another flash. Or you can connect them via IR or radio (better) slaves.

B&H has used equipment. Sometimes there are very good prices there and they have an excellent rating system that is usually conservative.


Great information guys! :) I'll have to check out Tempe Camera. I usually stop in at PhotoMark because it is closer to me (But still a drive), and they don't have much to offer in the line of used.

I'd love to buy at least 2 more strobes soon, and was thinking maybe I could find something inexpensive that would work with my AB. I really want to have a fill light, and a background light would be nice because I'm ready to try doing something in a "high-key" look.

Happy Day and thanks for the advice.... (Sorry to interrupt the OP's topic)

[studiotime]

If you have the money to blow on pro gear, I would give serious consideration to Speedotron lights, they are built like tanks....

Personally I would take Elinchrom over profoto, but thats just me. I think they have a much better product, expecially their digital monoblocks. Drool.

Ive seen people with DYI and....

wow, thanks! i'll have to go check elinchrom a bit more (geez i was only asking about powerpacks lol)

and.......what's "dyi"? :)