Alien Bees

[minatophase3]

I have been considering getting some lighting for a small in house studio setup. From what I have read, the Alien Bees Digital package seems to be a good deal for a starter set. Here is what it includes:

2 B400 Flash Unit
2 10' General Purpose Stand
1 48" Silver/White Reversible Bounce Umbrella
1 48" Shoot-Thru Umbrella
2 AlienBees Single Light Carrying Bags

I see that you can order the lights in a variety of colors:
Star White, Deep Sapce Black, Mello Yello, Alien Green & Martian Pink. I am having a hard time figuring out what color to order. Do you order both lights in the same color or can you mix and match? Also, I don't quite understand how the Deep Space Black light would work. I have read that several people have purchased the black lighting because it gives a more professional look, but I don't understand what that means.

Can someone provide picture examples of a photo taken with the AB's and different color lights? I am a visual kind of guy and they say a picture is worth a thousand words. :D

Thanks,

Tim

[Jon]

The colour is the colour of the housing, not the light. The idea is that if you're using hot-pink or dayglo green lights, the clients may not take you as seriously. Sorta like carrying your 1Ds and 70-200L in a Barbie carrying case.

[minatophase3]

The colour is the colour of the housing, not the light. The idea is that if you're using hot-pink or dayglo green lights, the clients may not take you as seriously. Sorta like carrying your 1Ds and 70-200L in a Barbie carrying case.

Thanks for clearing that up, either it wasn't clear on the website or I have no clue what I am doing. :shock: I would go with the second option.

Thanks again.

Tim

[steven]

So what exactly is wrong with a 1Ds in a Barbie carrying case. :evil:

It fits just fine :oops:

[mttmrphy]

I thought the same thing about the colors. When I placed the order over the phone the operator asked me which color I wanted. DUH... so my B400 and 800 have white casings.

[Conk]

I got the DigiBee kit and ordered them in black (casings :P ). I also bought a stand bag. That is something I believe the package should have with it. You are going to want to put your stands and umbrellas into something. Also a couple extra bulbs is a good idea.
I like the kit very much and find that it more than meets my needs. I ordered my background stand and backdrop from http://www.amvona.com/v7/shop/ . Their prices are very reasonable and great people to deal with. If you phone the 1-800 number just ask for their "buy now" price from e-bay.

[SnJPhoto]

Bah...those narrow minded types who think all pros use is black equipment..... show some originality. javascript:emoticon(':lol:')

As for the kit, I found a few of the items were priced cheaper and were of better quality elsewhere. Check out J and K group on ebay for light stands and unbrellas.

The only things I really felt were worth the purchase from AB were the light themselves and the softbox. The softbox included a speed ring so that helped make my mind up.

As for the color of the cases? well, if thats what your clients judge you by, that should certainly be taken in consideration. I don't personally think anyone I will ever shoot for will see my equipment before they are already committed to the deal. Just an opinion.

:lol: :lol:

[Persian-Rice]

Just a heads up, if you can do some studying on lighting maybe make your own little custom kit...............I am considering getting some lighting equipment, I was thinking that I might get what I want rather then going with a set choice..............

Just my .02

[GenuineRolla]

I'd rock all pink and green ones.

My third b800 will definitely be green. My 2 deepspace black look too plain.

[tharmsen]

I've read that the B800's don't offer consistent lighting and that I would be better served by Elinchrom D-Lite 4's.

Have those with the Alien Bee's found their lights to be of good quality? Would you buy them again, or would you spend a little more and get another brand?

[Village_Idiot]

I ordered white as well, thinking that if I'm shooting in the sun the casing will match my Canon lenses. :p Or that myth that the heat won't be as bad because of reflected light.

I've read that the B800's don't offer consistent lighting and that I would be better served by Elinchrom D-Lite 4's.

Have those with the Alien Bee's found their lights to be of good quality? Would you buy them again, or would you spend a little more and get another brand?

Preference. Elinchrom modifiers are going to be more expensive. They don't offer a portable solution for under $2500, iirc on the price. They're digital though so if you want to adjust 2/10ths of a stop you press the up or down button twice and not slide the slider a little bit and hope it did something.

The power output and color temp is more consistant on the D4's than the B800's according to tests that people have done on this site. But if you want to shoot on location and you're not looking to spend several thousand, than the Bees are probably going to be the most economical monolight you can find.

PCB's supposed to be doing something nice with the Einsteins though. We'll see when they're actually released if they can live up to the vapor ware specs.

[Michael_Lambert]

I have been using the Ab800 for a while now and never had an issue with inconsistant lighting coming from it. I shoot in my home studio 10 wide by 20 long and using a single unit with the med size softbox and have had no issues at all. Would i buy again - Yes in a heart beat.

I have not had a chance to work with colored gels or anything yet but was going to pick up some on the weekend to play with changing the colors of my background.

[In2Photos]

WOW! Digging up an almost 5 year old post! :lol:

[tharmsen]

I have been using the Ab800 for a while now and never had an issue with inconsistant lighting coming from it. I shoot in my home studio 10 wide by 20 long and using a single unit with the med size softbox and have had no issues at all. Would i buy again - Yes in a heart beat.

I have not had a chance to work with colored gels or anything yet but was going to pick up some on the weekend to play with changing the colors of my background.
Thanks for the input. I may just order a couple B800's and test see what they're all about. The price is certainly attractive.

[fensterbme]

For the money the Alien Bee's and White Lightings are a good value... I don't think they are perfect lights but for the cash I think you can hardly complain. For people looking to get into studio lighting or are looking to start a business I think it's a really good option. Most of the issues that the Alien Bee's have aren't going to be noticed by people... Things I don't love about my White Lightings are:

1.) Color Temp not consistant - from low power to high power you going to see different WB values, etc. this isn't a big deal if you know about it, and make adjustments as needed. This is a bigger issue if your doing commercial/product photography, less so for portraiture. I shoot RAW and while I use X-Rite Color checkers, etc. I only do that to get things set right then I adjust the WB to taste which is not always what's technically correct. So for me the variaton isn't critical and I'm fine with it.

2.) Flash duration - It's not super short at higher power so if your doing fashion or other stuff where you want a very fast flash duration to freeze the action these aren't the strobes for you. But again for most folks this isn't a big deal at all.

3.) Balcar Mount - I dislike the Balcar type speedring mount and find it easy to hit the strobe tube, etc. It works it's just not the best out there...

4.) Modifiers, the Paul Buff softboxes and beauty dish are fine, but most all the rest of his accessories are made really cheaply and are frustrating to use. I would advise personally to buy the flash and softboxes from him and then get everything else thorugh other suppliers. The 'kits' aren't worth it as the a
ccessories aren't a great value.

Again if your looking for something on a budget these are a great option, and I plan on keeping these as they work great for what I do right now (I don't use them a ton, so dropping a ton of cash on a nice ProFoto system doesn't make sense). If I was looking for a noticably better system I'd go get the new ProFoto D1's they are wonderful (played with them in person a week or two ago at the ProFoto booth at WPPI), but you will play a lot more and my guess is that for most folks it's too pricey.

[bobbyz]

I am just a rookie but here is one of the quick tests I did about a month ago. You judge the color inconsistency for yourself.

http://www.bobbyzphotography.com/img/v4/p981002514.jpg

I was also surprised at power accuracy. Pop to pop 3/10 of a stop even at lowest settings. This is using AB800 in a medium photoflex SB.

[RDKirk]

The main point with regard to consistency: Paul Buff lights are very good Toyotas that always get compared to Lexus.

They are not as consistent in color temperature from highest to lowest levels as much more expensive Brons and Profotos or the high-end Elinchroms.

They are as consistent as anything close to their price, and have some very good advantages over anything close to their price.

The natural competitors of Paul Buff lights are Novatron, Photogenic, and Norman...comparable in price, intended market, and features. But Buff's natural market isn't even mentioned in comparison, instead the Buff lights are compared to much more expensive lights, which is an indication of the bang for the buck you get with the Buff lights.

[Damian75]

(I don't use them a ton, so dropping a ton of cash on a nice ProFoto system doesn't make sense). If I was looking for a noticably better system I'd go get the new ProFoto D1's they are wonderful (played with them in person a week or two ago at the ProFoto booth at WPPI), but you will play a lot more and my guess is that for most folks it's too pricey.

I was looking at the D1 Airs but the price was really hight compared to Elinchrom RX600 with skyports have you had any experience with the Elinchroms just asking as you are the first person who I have heard has played with the D1's and I was reading some talk about the previous ProFoto mono's on FM and they were not getting the greatest reviews I know PF is mostly famous for there pack head systems.

[Damian75]

I am just a rookie but here is one of the quick tests I did about a month ago. You judge the color inconsistency for yourself.


I was also surprised at power accuracy. Pop to pop 3/10 of a stop even at lowest settings. This is using AB800 in a medium photoflex SB.

You really can't tell anything from this sample you really need to shoot a graycard or a color card there are too many color gradients due to the texture. And it should be shot bare bulb as the softbox can cause a color shift depending on age. I don't care as I am not looking at these lights so please don't redo the test on my account.

[Cmizzle]

I'd rock all pink and green ones.

My third b800 will definitely be green. My 2 deepspace black look too plain.
You're really failing today with the old threads.

[fensterbme]

The main point with regard to consistency: Paul Buff lights are very good Toyotas that always get compared to Lexus.

They are not as consistent in color temperature from highest to lowest levels as much more expensive Brons and Profotos or the high-end Elinchroms.

They are as consistent as anything close to their price, and have some very good advantages over anything close to their price.

The natural competitors of Paul Buff lights are Novatron, Photogenic, and Norman...comparable in price, intended market, and features. But Buff's natural market isn't even mentioned in comparison, instead the Buff lights are compared to much more expensive lights, which is an indication of the bang for the buck you get with the Buff lights.

+1 - Right On... well stated.

I was looking at the D1 Airs but the price was really hight compared to Elinchrom RX600 with skyports have you had any experience with the Elinchroms just asking as you are the first person who I have heard has played with the D1's and I was reading some talk about the previous ProFoto mono's on FM and they were not getting the greatest reviews I know PF is mostly famous for there pack head systems.

No direct experience with the Elinchrom's so I can't speak to them... There are a number of things that impressed me about the D1, foremost that it's essentially a single channel of a D4 (which is a darn nice pack) and that the way they wire the capacitors results in a pretty low flash duration.

The reason I gravitate towards ProFoto as opposed to other brands of higher end lighting are because of their amazing set of light shaping tools (they aren't cheap but they are great), and the fact that they are bulletproof and very, very consistant. For me since I'm usually on the move the monolights have an advantage over pack/head systems, but down the road I can see myself getting a pack/head system and doing more in-studio stuff and it would be nice not to have to change light shaping tools.

Again, I would buy the D1 or the higher only if I was using the gear a LOT and needed the features of the higher end gear, for me I don't... the White Lightings are really great lights and work pretty well for me and with how I use them. I have friends who shoot ProFoto 7a and 7b packs and when they get in a pinch they will throw a few White Lightings into the mix if they are running short on lights and they are amazed at how well they get things done even when compared with what are essentially the best packs in the world. So for me I'm keeping my WL stuff until I need and can cost justify the ProFoto setup.

[sleibrand]

You really can't tell anything from this sample you really need to shoot a graycard or a color card there are too many color gradients due to the texture. And it should be shot bare bulb as the softbox can cause a color shift depending on age. I don't care as I am not looking at these lights so please don't redo the test on my account.

Based on this statement, you have to go looking for the color shift by shooting without the standard modifier and with a color card? Seems kind of like shooting brick walls to test lens sharpness.

I'm not an AB fanboy - the gear certainly has its limits - but the color shift from the lights is not something I've ever noticed. Maybe it's just environment I shoot in? I used to shoot in a fairly small space with sky blue walls - that definitely caused color issues! Current setup is in a warehouse with 5-7 AB/WL strobes and a variety of modifiers. Some lights are close to full power, some are at the bottom of the range. The shoots are for an apparel company so lots of colors along with plain white t-shirts and I've not seen the color shifts.

[Village_Idiot]

Based on this statement, you have to go looking for the color shift by shooting without the standard modifier and with a color card? Seems kind of like shooting brick walls to test lens sharpness.

I'm not an AB fanboy - the gear certainly has its limits - but the color shift from the lights is not something I've ever noticed. Maybe it's just environment I shoot in? I used to shoot in a fairly small space with sky blue walls - that definitely caused color issues! Current setup is in a warehouse with 5-7 AB/WL strobes and a variety of modifiers. Some lights are close to full power, some are at the bottom of the range. The shoots are for an apparel company so lots of colors along with plain white t-shirts and I've not seen the color shifts.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=431127&highlight=alien+bee+pink&page=9

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=443418&highlight=color+shift

[sleibrand]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=431127&highlight=alien+bee+pink&page=9

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=443418&highlight=color+shift

Exactly! What I've seen in those threads is that under labratory conditions you can measure color shift.

Can anyone demonstrate this in something like a real-world situation? I really would like to see an example of this.

[fensterbme]

Exactly! What I've seen in those threads is that under labratory conditions you can measure color shift.

Can anyone demonstrate this in something like a real-world situation? I really would like to see an example of this.

... uh in my cursory glance at those two articles they indeed do show things out of the real world. Someone showing off test images is even better than showing why X photo is messed up.

I see it with my WL but I fix it in post as I shoot RAW, am I going to go through and show them as examples, nope I don't personally have the time or care.. if you don't want to believe it that's fine.

The difference isn't always there and isn't always terribly pronounced. Addtionally there are lot of folks who don't look closely enough at their own work and have issues that they don't even notice.