Impressions on LightGear USA (alien bees, W.L.) products

[5 Type]

Hi,

I'm about to buy some B800 head from Alien Bees. I'm also wondering if I should go with their brand of umbrellas and softboxes (Light Gear USA, third division of Paul C. Buff. The other two being Alien Bees and their big brother White Lightning) of should I stay with Photoflex equipment (already own a 45" umbrela).

Any of you have ever compared those 2 brands side to side (Light Gear vs photoflex) ?

Any impressions on their umbrellas ....

Any on their Soft Boxes....

I know that if I go with Photoflex S.Boxes I would still have to buy the Ligh Gear speed ring.

Any input appreciated.

[MediaMagic]

Hi,

I'm about to buy some B800 head from Alien Bees. I'm also wondering if I should go with their brand of umbrellas and softboxes (Light Gear USA, third division of Paul C. Buff. The other two being Alien Bees and their big brother White Lightning) of should I stay with Photoflex equipment (already own a 45" umbrela).

Any of you have ever compared those 2 brands side to side (Light Gear vs photoflex) ?

Any impressions on their umbrellas ....

Any on their Soft Boxes....

I know that if I go with Photoflex S.Boxes I would still have to buy the Ligh Gear speed ring.

Any input appreciated.

Absolutely love their lights (AB's and WL's). As far as the softboxes and umbrellas... I would say they are average workhorse quality. I have the light gear octabox, giant softbox, and a pair of shoot thru umbrellas. For the price the accessories are excellent. The quality is probably a 3 out of 5 stars in durability (you can tell why the are inexpensive compared to other brands, I'd rate photoflex 4 out of 5, with something like the Chimeras measuring at 5 of 5), and 5 out of 5 for excellent light manupulation.

I do like knowing that if I tear one up on location, or in transit, it won't cost me much to replace it.

The shoot thrus and softboxes have excellent difussion. The shoot thru's can be covered and bounced, the only drawback (which I don't care for BTW) is that there is no cover for the ribs when used in bounce mode. I have a couple of Photoflex umbrellas I use for bounce rather than the Light Gear. I don't know if their other umbrellas other than the shoot thru's have the rib covers or not.


Another source for inexpensive light accessories is on ebay, search for jandkgroup. I've purchased from them and have zero complaints thus far, mostly for JTL accessories, but a few umbrellas of varying sizes too.

[5 Type]

Thanks thats some really great input.

But I have one question that is mainly due to the fact that I'm french....

shoot thru's have the rib covers or not

What does RIB mean?

[MediaMagic]

Thanks thats some really great input.

But I have one question that is mainly due to the fact that I'm french....

shoot thru's have the rib covers or not

What does RIB mean?

ah, okay. The ribs are the metal stems that fan out to hold the umbrella fabric. I prefer an umbrella that has a piece of fabric that covers these when bouncing the light. The bare metal can show up in the catchlight of the eyes without a cover.

Does that explain it? If not, I can take a picture and post it which should eliminate any language barrier we may have.

Take care!

[5 Type]

Okay, I got it!

Thanks!