Buying studio stobes, umbrellas, etc

[Maddog12]

I have been searching around the web for about a month or so to buy some studio flash units, umbrellas, stands, wireless flash triggers, etc.

On ebay they sell 2 flash strobes, 2 umbrellas, 2 stands (a brand is not mentioned) starting between $50-$100. That is the type of equipment I am looking for, but it seems too cheap...too good to be true.

I recently have been looking at AlienBees products. Given my limited budget I wouldn't be able to get two strobes, umbrellas, two stands at this time. I could get 1 set, but would that be enough for what I want to do?

I have been taking portrait studios in my basement of my kids with jerry-rigged lighting. I am possibly thinking of shooting portraits for other family members and friends etc.

I have a Canon Digital Rebel XTI.

In summary, here is what I am looking for answers on:

1. Is it worth going with the cheap stobe, umbrellla, and stand packages that are selling on ebay for less than $100?

2. Giving my budget, would one of the AlienBees B400 flash units work for the portraits I am wanting to take?

3. What type of remote flash trigger would you recommend for my XTI hotshoe?

I appreciate your help!

[WarrenJ]

If it was me, I'd stay away from the deal on ebay, especially since there is no brand name is mentioned. I sure understand where your coming from, been there. My wife and I own 3 800w AlienBees along with the Vagabond power supply. However we rarely use all three at once though we have. Often we've only used one light and a stand, especially outdoors at twilight. You could do some outdoor stuff and really wow your family! I understand the money thing, I really do. I'm saving for a new camera for our photography business as well as a new lens to add to our arsenal. Go with the Bees, for the money (great value) your getting a top quality, PROFESSIONAL light and the service that Paul C. Buff offers is extraordinary. You might try a search for used Bees on ebay or even Craigslist. You can get some good deals on the other stuff such as umbrellas, light boxes, reflectors etc. reasonable through Amvona. Not considered top of the line but I've bought from them and haven't had any problems with their products, just dont expect it to be Photoflex. Hope this helped.:)

[kuanyu]

I would recomend the Alien Bees over the cheaper ebay kits. You can't beat the price for the performance plus Alien Bees is a GREAT company to deal with

[pacific]

I just pulled the trigger on Alien Bees. Here is my advice from my experience. My first purchase was a cheaper set of lights. The darn things won't lock properly and with a soft box attached won't stay in place (the lights slowly droop down). I resorted to tying the things (which works) but is frustrating. I have heard only good things about the Alien Bees and from what I read, great bang for the buck. Also I can tell you I asked a lot of questions from their sales department and they were excellent. End of day, you get what you pay for.

[scot079]

i bought 2 300w/s interfit lights with stands, softboxes and case from B&H for $580. My friend had a set and I was impressed with the features (IR and optical slave built in, user replaceable flash tubes)

I really like them

[Maddog12]

Thanks for all the advice. I believe spending the $$ upfront for a good reliable product will be more benificial in the long run!

Now....what about this:

1. Should I splurge and go for two sets or can I get by with one set for portrait photography (remember tight budget)?

2. I have heard stories about remote flash units paralyzing digital cameras by exceeding voltage etc. Should I be on the safe side and buy the Wein Safe Sync?

I would hate to spend the $$ on lighting then have to tell my wife, "Hey, I now need a new camera"

[sleibrand]

If I were you, I would first think about what my goals are? Is this just a temporary or one-time thing? Is this something that I would want to add to over time? Will I want the system to be portable for use outside the basement? Once you've answered those questions you should have a better feel for whether you want something quick/cheap or whether you want to start building a set of tools.

My experience has been with the Alien Bees and I've been very pleased with them. They have a large selection of modifiers and are compatable with most of the 3rd party modifiers. They're well built and well supported. I think that they're a good value for the price - certainly the strobes are. However, the initial buy for this would probably be around $300-$400.

I don't think your XTi has a PC jack so you'll have to get a hotshoe to PC or a wireless trigger.

IMO, if you decide that you don't want to spend for a good set of monolights, you should consider the strobist approach (strobist.com is a good place to start) of using cheap flash units. If you already have a flash unit, you can get started with just a light stand, umbrella and wireless trigger - probably under $100.

[sleibrand]

1. Should I splurge and go for two sets or can I get by with one set for portrait photography (remember tight budget)?

2. I have heard stories about remote flash units paralyzing digital cameras by exceeding voltage etc. Should I be on the safe side and buy the Wein Safe Sync?


Any modern flash unit will work with your digital camera. It's only the old flashes that cause problems (they used a 600V trigger).

Check out the single light thread over at fredmiranda.com (in the lighting section) or the single light threads at paulcbuff.com/forums These should give you an idea on what you can do with a single light. If you're unsure, I'd start with one light and see what limitations you have. It'll probably be easier learn using a single light and then moving up to multiples.

[sleibrand]

Let me clarify the previous comment - any newly manufactured flash unit will be fine. For instance Vivitar resurrected their 285 flash unit and changed the synch voltage.

[Titus213]

We used a single B400 (along with a Sunpak 555) for portraits for some time before adding a B800. When we added the B800 we also included the AB wireless remotes. They have worked flawlessly in all our shoots. So, can you use one light for portraits? - Certainly! Would more be better? Yup. Alien Bee remotes, while probably the cheap eBay triggers, work without a single problem and Paul Buff stands behind them.

[Maddog12]

I have decided to go with the Alien Bees along with their Radio flash trigger receiver/ transmitter. I think the 'bang for your buck' that AB's provides will be more beneficial to me in the long run.

I think it should work well with my XTI.

I have heard nothing but great things about AB, plus it sounds like they stand behind their product.

I am going to go with the one light setup for now.

I may eventually buy a soft box, but I think for now I would like to start with some umbrellas. Now there are various types (shoot throughs, silver, black, etc).

I was thinking about getting a silver umbrella as well as a shoot through, any recommendations?

[beachbum2277]

I have decided to go with the Alien Bees along with their Radio flash trigger receiver/ transmitter. I think the 'bang for your buck' that AB's provides will be more beneficial to me in the long run.

I think it should work well with my XTI.

I have heard nothing but great things about AB, plus it sounds like they stand behind their product.

I am going to go with the one light setup for now.

I may eventually buy a soft box, but I think for now I would like to start with some umbrellas. Now there are various types (shoot throughs, silver, black, etc).

I was thinking about getting a silver umbrella as well as a shoot through, any recommendations?


I too am looking at the exact same one-strobe setup to start. I would love to hear your experience with the AB and see some shots when you can!!!

[scot079]

yes, get a white shoot thru, and maybe a regular gold one for warm tones. For the silver or gold reflector one, try to get it with a black backing. Don't forget a reflector!

[sleibrand]

yes, get a white shoot thru, and maybe a regular gold one for warm tones. For the silver or gold reflector one, try to get it with a black backing. Don't forget a reflector!

I'd agree with a reflector - and if you can afford it, get a reflector holder.

I'm not so sure about the shoot through umbrellas though. Can someone share a situation where a shoot-through is better than a bounced?

In small areas where I shoot, controlling light spill is always a concern. With a shoot through, I would imagine there will be significant amounts of the light bouncing backwards and reflecting around the studio.

[Maddog12]

There are various sizes for umbrellas. What size should I get?

Also, it looks like Amvona.com has pretty good deals on umbrellas. Are they any good? Do they work well with AB's (will they fit in the AB umbrella mount)?

[Maddog12]

Ok. I have taken the plunge:

-Bought 1 Alien Bees B400
-Bought a 43" Umbrella (White with Black removable cover)
-Bought a 45" Umbrella (Silver and Black)
-Bought 1 Alien Bees light stand
-Bought 1 Remote Trigger Receiver
-Bought 1 Remote Trigger Transmitter
-and finally some reflectors

whew, a little "buyers remorse" laying down that cash, but I think/know it will pay dividends down the road.

Thanks for all your help. Check back to this thread a little later as I will post some pics of my setup and some pictures that I took with my new equipment.

[scot079]

congrats and I'm sure you'll love it

[beachbum2277]

I'd love to see some pics after you get the equipment!!!

[Maddog12]

I was just informed that the remote flash trigger receiver/transmitter are on back order for 2 weeks. :evil:

However, I am sure AB will come through for me, given there strong customer service.

Anyway, I will definately post some pics here....when I can take them.

[scot079]

did you order the other stuff anyways? you can use the PC cord til you get the triggers

[beachbum2277]

did you order the other stuff anyways? you can use the PC cord til you get the triggers


Maddog, that depends on what camera you're shooting with. I know that becaue I'm shooting with an XT, it doesn't have a PC sync outlet. I would have to order the $14 hot shoe adapter from Alien Bee... Just make sure that if you're using one of those cameras (Rebel, XT, XTi) that you get the adapter for the PC sync cord with your order.....

[scot079]

oh yeah, forgot about that, good eye!

[beachbum2277]

I have read some threads in the past about guys ordering it all and could barely use it because of that.

You can also use your Speedlight flash to trigger the AB. Just put the Speedlight on manual and it should trigger the AB. Just a thought in case Maddog needs to but didn't order the adapter....

[scot079]

yeah good job man, 100% correct.

maddog you need to list your gear!

[Maddog12]

Ok. I finally got my Bees and the other equipment previously listed. Here are a two random pics that I took with no real preperation....I just wanted to test my new Alien Bees B400.

What do you think?

Pics are not Photoshoped.

[Titus213]

It looks like you're off to a terrific start, nice work.

And it looks like you have some cute models to practice on....

[Maddog12]

Thanks Dave! I like your website...great pics too!

My 3 1/2 year old daughter was a handful, but I got a couple decent ones.

I just need to make some more back drops. I have the one in the picture above (grayish purple) and a light blue one. It is more cost effective if I make the backdrops myself...plus they dont turn out half that bad.

So far the Bees are great and everything I had hoped for...plus the customer service to date with AB has been second to none.