Lighting: a 2nd 550EX vs Alien Bees

[vfilby]

Alright, this is not a time critical issue but one that I am wrestling with. I have thought about getting some studio strobes. It has also been recommended that I get a second 550EX. The problem is that a 550 is around the same price, if not more expensive, than the studio strobe.

The extra 550 would give me wireless ettl and portability. But I would think that the strobe would give more power/use.

What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance,

[FlipsidE]

I guess the main question would be...are you going to be spending more time in a studio (or make shift studio at your house) or travelling to other places to shoot your portraits?

If it was me, I'd go with the AB's as I intend to do most of my portrait work at home versus out and about.

FlipsidE

[Vegas Poboy]

I was trying to decide this 6 months ago & decided to go with the Bees. The reason I went this way was due to cost, power and most of all I needed to be flexable. I'm still attending school and alot of our assignments could not be done with shoe mount flashes.

If your going to continue shooting and learning lighting I would go with the Bees.

[vfilby]

I have to admit, I would love a couple bees. But then I would need umbrellas, snoots, stands etc. However, it seems silly to go with the 550 because the alien bee lights are cheaper than a 550. I am going to assume that the bees are more powerful and more flexible.

They are just a big investment for me at this time. However if I get them while I am a student, then I get a discount!

My dilema really is glass or lights. All glass looks better stopped down and you need lights for that.

[FlipsidE]

I'd go with the Bees in your case. Cheaper or not, I think you'll end up happier. And, yes, they would require some extra accessories. Might be a good idea to consider a couple of tungstens while you are at it.

FlipsidE

[Vegas Poboy]

Here is the easy way to justify cost, Alien Bees setup without student discount.
The Beginner Bee
1 AlienBees B800 Flash Unit
1 CB1 Single Light Carrying Bag
1 LS3050 10-foot General Purpose Light Stand
1 U48SW 48-inch Silver/White Reversible Bounce Umbrella
$359. 00
add a piece of 4x8 foam core board and use it as a reflector.

Another 550ex Flash from B&H

Canon 550EX Speedlite TTL Shoe Mount Flash (Guide No. 180'/55 m at 105mm) USA
Mfr # 2261A003 • B&H # CA550EX
Our Price: $ 319.95

Now if your going to do studio work this is going to happen sooner or later. You can make more money setting up a simple one light studio & shooting portraits. Add more lights in time.

Now for the glass issue I'm always out for more glass but the truth is most glass no matter what major brand is best @ f/8 or f/11 and that is what most portraits is shot at.
Just some basic facts to help you decide.

[vfilby]

The cost justification I understand! I find it hard to believe that a clipon flash is actually more expensive then the strobe.

I think I would likely start off with two AB800's if I could afford it. I do have a 550 so I could use that as well, I haven't tried it with a silver umbrella so I don't know if would work, for a three light setup.

I think that it is time to start saving for a set of bees... ;-)

Thanks all,

[Longwatcher]

I have a pair of 550EX and a set of 4 alien bees.

The key is will you be doing studio work where you can plug in to a wall, if so go with the AB's they give you a lot more control then the 550EX.

However, Are you planning on location shooting a lot where you can't plug in then the second 550EX would be a better bargain. Although Alien Bees have the Vanguard system, it is heavy and costs more then a strobe.

If you plan on traveling a lot by plane, the light weight of the 550EX also overweigh the ABs.

In the Studio I would rather use the ABs then my 550EX, but if setting up somewhere after traveling by airline and I am not part of huge effort (which I still dream of) there is no way to take the AB's without extra cost and hassle. I have found that a pair of 550EX, a second tripod and a 5-in-1 reflector work real good as a portable studio for location work.


Just my experience and opinion,

[vfilby]

Longwatcher,

Can you tell me how you use your 550's? Do you bounce into umbrellas or shoot straight on? Perhaps I should get a reflector, do you find it useful withthe flash?

Cheers,

[ejwebb]

Do the Alien Bees use a hot-shoe device to trigger the strobes or is there some other method? Does it entail additional cost?

I currently have a 420EX and ST-E2 and am looking at lighting alternatives as well. A 550Ex would be nice to work with what I have but I am not sure that I wouldn't be better served to start building a studio strobe setup. Especially given the price of the 550EX.

Thanks.

[vfilby]

Do the Alien Bees use a hot-shoe device to trigger the strobes or is there some other method? Does it entail additional cost?

I currently have a 420EX and ST-E2 and am looking at lighting alternatives as well. A 550Ex would be nice to work with what I have but I am not sure that I wouldn't be better served to start building a studio strobe setup. Especially given the price of the 550EX.

Thanks.

Alien bees are triggered using a pc cord or they have a built in optical slave. For the 300d you would need to buy a hotshoe -> pc adapter. As conk as stated you don't need a wein safe sync one because the AB's have a trigger voltage under 6v (which is what the rebel is rated for).

[ejwebb]

Alien bees are triggered using a pc cord or they have a built in optical slave. For the 300d you would need to buy a hotshoe -> pc adapter.

Do you need the adapter if you use the built-in optical slave? Could it be triggered by the on-camera flash or 420Ex or would the pre-flash interfere?

I see that you have the 500DG Super - how do you like it? One of those added to my 420EX and ST-E2 is a more cost effective solution and would provide two lights. Question is how effective they would be with diffusers or umbrellas - looks like I need to do some searching to see what others have said about this type of setup.

[Longwatcher]

The 550EX can trip the Alien Bee's built in slave trigger.

Refering to how I use my pair of 550EX. I have done the following and gotten good results

1. Shot in conjunction with a Home Depot work light and used onboard flash (otherwise off) as trigger for second 550EX as Main, with work light as fill.

2. My typical is one on camera with diffuser down (depending on range to other, does not always work) and second as main, closer and about 45-60 degrees off to the side also with diffuser down. I usually put the second one up as high as I can and have it point down onto the subject. With of course some exceptions.

3. The last method I have used is with on-camera flash, diffuser up, pointed at reflector and then using off-camera flash with diffuser down pointed at model. Note: I almost forgot since it has been awhile, I usually velcro on a black piece of plastic to block unwanted light from the on-camera flash. Velco and plastic - wonderful stuff - or how to make a partial barn door for your 550EX flash. The trick with this one is it requires another tripod (or an able assistant) for the reflector. People (as in TSA) can get confused when you have three tripods and only one camera.

Just my experience,

[ejwebb]

[vfilby]

I see that you have the 500DG Super - how do you like it? One of those added to my 420EX and ST-E2 is a more cost effective solution and would provide two lights. Question is how effective they would be with diffusers or umbrellas - looks like I need to do some searching to see what others have said about this type of setup.

To be honest I haven't really tried. I have some translucent shoot through umbrellas (read: childrens translucent white umbrellas bought for $2 each), but no silver reflective ones. I have tried the shoot through umbrella and it really isn't satisfactory.

[vfilby]

The 550EX can trip the Alien Bee's built in slave trigger.

Refering to how I use my pair of 550EX. I have done the following and gotten good results

1. Shot in conjunction with a Home Depot work light and used onboard flash (otherwise off) as trigger for second 550EX as Main, with work light as fill.

2. My typical is one on camera with diffuser down (depending on range to other, does not always work) and second as main, closer and about 45-60 degrees off to the side also with diffuser down. I usually put the second one up as high as I can and have it point down onto the subject. With of course some exceptions.

3. The last method I have used is with on-camera flash, diffuser up, pointed at reflector and then using off-camera flash with diffuser down pointed at model. Note: I almost forgot since it has been awhile, I usually velcro on a black piece of plastic to block unwanted light from the on-camera flash. Velco and plastic - wonderful stuff - or how to make a partial barn door for your 550EX flash. The trick with this one is it requires another tripod (or an able assistant) for the reflector. People (as in TSA) can get confused when you have three tripods and only one camera.

Just my experience,

Thanks,

How do you think the 550 would work as a fill for strobes? IE. could I use the 550 (500dg), maybe off camera with a pc cord, using an umbrella?

Christmass is coming soon so I think I am going to save up what I get and think about bees.

Cheers,

[Longwatcher]

How do you think the 550 would work as a fill for strobes? IE. could I use the 550 (500dg), maybe off camera with a pc cord, using an umbrella?

Cheers,

Not sure, I actually have not tried that.
It should work, but the color of light might be slightly different between 550EX and AB so this may (or may not) cause an interesting (probably unwanted) effect.

I am unfortunately not going to have time to try it out for at least a week as I will be traveling this week and have things higher priority to do first.

Good luck.

[chris.bailey]

I often use my 550EX in with my Bowens Strobes and with groups find it useful to have it at low level to fill in shadows and the like. I have also used it as a hair light (my studio is low ceilinged so no room for a full strobe overhead). As there are coloured objects in the room I always white balance as part of metering so any colour variations are allowed for. I have not found it a problem.

This http://www.pbase.com/chris_bailey/image/24720470 used two Bowens Strobes and the 550EX on a small tripod at knee height to fill the shadows a bit between the two of them. If you look closely you can see the highlight it causes on the zipper towards the bottom.