about to buy some Alienbees

[mezorn26]

Going to buy two b1600's and two large softboxes...Do I need anything else? How does it interface with the camera?

[Canada20D]

The sync cords come with the lights from AB. Unless you are planning on lighting up a HUGE space, the 1600's might be overkill. I have 3 800 with 2 giant soft boxes and at 1/2 power I was able to achieve a F8 @ ISO 100. The soft boxes were approximately 12ft apart for a family portrait of 10 people standing.

[Greg Jones]

I am in a small studio 10x22 and I have two AB1600's and a 30x40 soft box for main and 36" umbrella for fill. I can get down to f5.6 at the lowest f stop but I shoot mostly at f 8 anyway. I have white wall and I am going to paint them gray to cut down on bounce. You can use AB1600's if in a small area but you really only need AB800's. If you are in a large area no problem.
There are other things you will want , meter, radio trigger, maybe a grid ( I don't have yet) The one thing I would pick up is a trigger even if it is an inexpensive one off of ebay. There will be other like hair light and background light but until you get started you can do without. If you have the money go for it.

[magicmikey]

Your Mark III and your 40D will have a PC sync input to plug the sync cable into. Your 400d will require a hot shoe to PC sync adapter or you'll have to use a wireless trigger to use the strobes with it.

Michael

[kuanyu]

I prefer the wireless set-up. I currently have the AB one but wish I had cash for a set of PWs. I tried the cord with a hot shoe connector on my XTi and didn't care for it, the wireless is just to nice.