AlienBee DigiBee Package

[arhuranna]

I have been looking at the AlienBee DigiBee package for $599.00. 2-B400, 2- 10ft. lightstands, 2- 48" umbrellas, 2- bags. Does anyone have this package? I would like to use it for family reunions and team phots as well as studio portriats. Is this a big enough system or do I need the B800's? Any other brands recomended? I also wondered if my 550EX would fire these?

Mitch

300D Kit Lens 550EX

LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER

[mbze430]

yes, the 550EX will fire them if you put it to manual mode.

[swatcop169]

I'm looking at the same package, however I'm upgrading to the B800's and possible going to pickup a remote battery pack for outdoor shooting.

[WestFalcon]

You might want to look at the Ultra 6oo White Lightning...They are always on Ebay. They are better than the Alien Bees(made by the same company). They are no longer made but I have newer models and an Alien Bee but I still go back to using these with pocket wizards. I think the Ultra series was the best flash they have made and you can't wear them out. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to buy a used unit. They go for about 225-250...start with one of these and a stand and an umbrella. You can do team pictures , familiy pictures and amazingly pretty good portraits with one light and a reflector. You can add another light later for your portraits. For team pictures, I never use more than one light and I do a lot of them.

[SkipD]

The best solution for triggering the AB monolights and your 300D is to get an adapter for the hotshoe. That adapter (about $10 US) would allow you to plug in one of the cables from the flash units. The second flash would trigger with the built in slave.

The downside of using the on-camera flash is that, if that is the only way you trigger the AB units, it is always going to be a factor in your shot, and that could very well be detrimental to the lighting setup you are trying to create.

Be aware that ALL of your shots with the studio flash units will require the camera to be in manual (M) mode so that you can manually adjust for the amount of light from the flash units that the camera knows nothing about and cannot control.

I would strongly suggest the B-800 units (and possibly the B-1600) if you are going to be using them for larger (outdoor?) group shots. The B-400's should be more than ample in indoor "studio" setups using umbrellas no more than, say, 10-15 feet from the subject.

[arhuranna]

I have been taking my sons baseball and basketball team photos ( he's 9 ) this year using the 550 EX. This summer we are having a family reunion and I would like to take the family photos and group shots, but don't want to go crazy with my money. I appreciate the help, keep it coming. I have never used studio lighting, so any books you could recomend would be great.

Mitch

[snibbetsj]

I bought the same package upgraded to the 800's. Very happy with them. I use the sync cord to trigger one flash, the slave fires the other one. I suppose you could set the 550 on extremely low power and trigger them but the sync cord works for me until I make enough for the pocket wizards (next on the studio list). I'd get a light meter such at the Sekonic L358 or equivalent and use that to set your lights for the aperture you want.

[JohnEBongo]

I have the DigiBee package. I added an 800 and a softbox to use as a main light and use the 2 400s as fill/hair lights. I am very happy with this set up. I use Pocket Wizards to trigger them which are awesome. You can see some of my results at-----

http://johnebongophotography.smugmug.com/Portfolio

Thanks

John

[Longwatcher]

The key to AB400 over 800s is how much room do you have to play with.
If very small area, you will find the 400 may be a better buy.

Also the way to cheat with the 550EX flash while on camera working with the ABs is to turn and bounce it off a reflector as fill light (or off the ceiling). For this though I recommend using some velcro (so it is removeable when not needed) and plastic/metal/cardboard panel and then creating a small 4x6" blocking panel for the side of the flash to keep stray light from going where you don't want it to.

Just my experience and opinion,

[NGrinerPhoto]

it's a good setup for the money. i have 2 400s. they make great background and hair-lights.

just get pocket wizards to set them off.

i might be wrong ... but i think the pre-flash will set off the lights prematurely.

[mbze430]

if you set the 550ex to manual there is no pre-flash. it will only pre-flash in eTTL.

[charlesu]

I just bought some bees myself. I use Photogenic for the studio. They're awesome lights but a bit big and heavy and powerful for location shooting (unless I am trying to light an arena). Therefore, I decided to get some Bees. I got 3 B 800s and 1 B 400 along with the Vagabond 300 and a spare battery. I also got some grids, 11" reflectors, etc.

I know the Bees won't compare to what I have in the studio but I think they might be a good budget setup or, as in my case, something for mobile setups.

: )

[arhuranna]

Follow up question is about the SP Systems Excalibur package, 2-320w/s monolights stands and umbrellas with sync cord. Any one out there with experience with this package? $550.00 at B&H.

[wolf]

If I were you for the extra $110 I would upgrade to the B800's. That way if you ever need more power you will have it available.

[davidwegs]

I will always say get the best you can possibly afford.

I have an AlienBee 3200. Its is pretty decent, not the best in terms of consistent power output, but for the $$, not much beats it.

[arhuranna]

Great info to work off of. I have decided on 2 - AB 800 stands and umbrellas. What do you think of their stands and umbrellas? Do you have recomendations on other brands? I have also decided on the Sekonic L 358 and would like to find a good tutorial for a beginner .

Mitch

[SkipD]

I would suggest starting by setting up a table-top studio and playing with lighting. Your subjects won't get bored and walk off leaving you alone. I started using a studio flash setup taking photos of my wife's teddy bear collection. I've attached one of my first attempts - this taken with my Canon G2. I'm looking forward to a lot more and better stuff with the new rig (20D+)

[L Pagan]

Follow up question is about the SP Systems Excalibur package, 2-320w/s monolights stands and umbrellas with sync cord. Any one out there with experience with this package? $550.00 at B&H.hi mitch .i have the SP Excalibur 3200 package, i like this kit a lot and it works great. i use it with my 10D and pocket wizard. here's a picture i did with this setup.
http://www.pbase.com/lpagan/image/40893045.jpg

[photo441]

I have the DigiBee package. I added an 800 and a softbox to use as a main light and use the 2 400s as fill/hair lights. I am very happy with this set up. I use Pocket Wizards to trigger them which are awesome. You can see some of my results at-----

http://johnebongophotography.smugmug.com/Portfolio

Thanks

John

John,

Great pics can you help me buy telling me wht power settings you used on your Bees? Also can you give me an idea on where you placed the lights. I just bought the digiBee Package with the 800's.

Many Thanks,
JP

[SeanH]

Looking at the "Busy Bee" Package. Would that be a smart move......looks like a couple of you guys have had to add lights to the smaller package anyway. I'm just going to set up a small studio using the space of a 1 car garage.