alienbee or 580ex?!?!?

[froman98]

I have a small dilemma. I just sold my G5 and want to get something for my 20d. I was looking between the Beginner Bee (http://www.alienbees.com/packages.html) package from alienbee or a canon 580ex flash. I just purchased a 20D about 3 weeks ago and am still learning about professional photography. I want to try to focus on portraits right now and possibly modelling shots too. I can pick up the alienbee's package fora bout the same as a 580ex. I'm not sure what would benefit me more. I will usually be shooting in my bedroom/converted-to-a-half-ass-studio. I'm just clueless as to what to use. Any help or advice would be very helpful! Thanks again for anyone who reads this and replies, you're all really smart and know what you're talking about. I feel confident posting questions here. Thanks in advance.

[scottbergerphoto]

You're really comparing apples to oranges. If you are serious about doing portraits in a studio type situation, you need monlights like the alien bees. You can start with one and a reflector, which can be a commercially made one, or some white foam core. If you seek portability and versatility, then you want the 580EX. Think about what you will be using your camera for the most and start there. You of course can mount your 580EX on a light stand and use it for portraits, but you will be limited in light modifiers available for it, and it is a much more concentrated light source.
Here is some of what I did with 2 550EX's and a 420EX and my 10D with 24-70 f/2.8:
http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/ayana_bailey
Regards,
Scott

[1goodshot]

Get the bee's, but upgrade to the 800's.

[froman98]

I am probably going to go with the bee's. I only forsee requiring a flash in my makeshift studio or in 'a' studio. Most of the shoots I do on location outdoors I make a point of using natural light. However, most of the portraits that I'm focusing on right now are going to be indoors. I greatly appreciate the input and the examples as well, Scott. Thanks!

[dphoto]

Scott, those are *great* shots you took with 2 550EX flashes. Sheesh, I've got to do some more practicing with mine... :D

Froman98, what Scott said. I was in the same dilemma when I bought my Digital Rebel a year ago. I was thinking about setting up a studio with 550s, but learned that while it is possible, it's also very limiting, especially if shooting people as subjects. The more powerful strobes allow you to use full-sized umbrellas and soft boxes. I bought Alien Bees as well and have been very happy with them. Just some thoughts on the 400 vs 800... the 400 is nice when using larger aperatures like f/1.8 and you don't need a lot of light, but the 800 is nice when using smaller aperatures for larger DOF when shooting, say, a large group of people. If the 800 is too powerful some of the time you can always buy Neutral Density gels to cut some of the light output. Just some things to think about.

Good luck with your purchase(s)! :D
-Deva

[wolf]

Definitely go for the B800, if you go for the B400 and then need more power you're out of luck. You can always lower the flash output on the B800 by up to 5 stops using the slider on the flash unit if less output is needed.