Alien Bee Light Package

[pugnugget]

I'm thinking about getting the Alien Bee "Digi Bee" package. But upgrading to the B1600's instead of the B400's. Anyone have any good or bad on this idea? or any other suggestions? I'm trying to stay under $1,000 if possible.

http://www.alienbees.com/digi.html

[swatcop169]

I"m going with the same package but picking up the B800's and making one of the umbrella's a softbox.

[Longwatcher]

The reason you might not want to upgrade to the AB1600's is if you don't have a large studio. Except for the fact that some day I hope to have a large studio, I would have changed out my 2 AB1600's and downgraded them to AB800's or maybe AB400s.

I have two each AB800 and AB1600 and originally used my 1600s as main and fill, with 800s as spot and hair light, but have found that I get better control, thus better results by switching and using the AB800s as main and fill and the 1600's as hair and spot/backlights. The 1600 used for hair light is bounced off the ceiling (whereas the old configuration the 800 was direct) and is at 1/16th power. The second 1600 is at 1/32nd power and bounced off a black umbrella. When I had the 1600s as main, I had to have it at 1/16th through a softbox and the fill at 1/32nd off umbrella with Camera at F8. This left me no room for adjustment to get a more shallow DoF. My switching the main and fill to the AB800s improved everything dramatically as I have more control now.

So I would recommend unless you have a larger the 20x20 foot (7M) studio the AB1600's may be too powerful. My home studio is 15x15 (or 12x15 available area).

The advantage to the 1600 is more power, the disadvantage is a higher minimum power.

[defordphoto]

Interesting. I am thinking of getting 3 800's, or maybe 2 800's and a 400, and then adding the wireless/battery pack system so I can go remote and not mess with as many wires. Their wireless is 900mhz though so not to sure about that. Would Pocket wizards work? Also, are there any adapters needed for the camera to interface this all together?

I am a total newbie to studio lighting, but have a possible product shoot for a glass company coming up soon and want to do it right. And the studio lights can open a whole new world that I haven't touched yet...

[avs_photo]

I just purchased the following kit:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=245819&is=REG

I also looked at the digibees. I think for an apples to apples comparison you would have to compare the photogencis lights to the D800 alienbees. Would also have to add a silver/white reversible umbrella to the photogenics kit for around $56. Your judgment on whether you would rather have the two small cases with the alienbees or the travel case with the photogenics. Net, appears to me to be about a $150 difference in favor of the photogenics lights. Am comfortable with my purchase but also curious what people think.

[nat869]

I also bought the digi-bee package and upgraded to the B800's. Even with those I have to dial down the power a lot, as they are too powerful for my living room.......which is my studio when it needs to be. I love the lights, seem to be great quality.

[pugnugget]

I do not have a large studio. It would be basically the size of an average living room.. so from reading everyone's comments (I appreciate the help :) ) I think I'll stay with the 800's.. maybe even just get the 400's... maybe i'll just throw on some extra accessories or something.. any suggestions along those lines??

[defordphoto]

I was thinking that too. But I plan on doing some outdoor stuff too and decided to get the 800's and just run them at partial power when in small areas. If you don't plan on shooting anywhere else, from what I have been reading, the 400's would do just fine in a small room. I read about these for two days before pulling the trigger.

[am_pitbull_terrier]

I'm building a studio downstairs now. Just about done hanging the drywall and mudding everything up. I'll post some photos of it when its done. :) It's 20' X 13' What kind of power do you think would be good for a room like that?

[DaveG]

I'm thinking about getting the Alien Bee "Digi Bee" package. But upgrading to the B1600's instead of the B400's. Anyone have any good or bad on this idea? or any other suggestions? I'm trying to stay under $1,000 if possible.

http://www.alienbees.com/digi.htm

l (http://www.alienbees.com/digi.html)

More power is always good as long as you can control it.

Being able to use a couple of the B1600 to light a large group shot may be a way to drop down an ISO or two, or even just to get the aperture that you need to keep multiple rows sharp. Power is gold under those conditions.

Once you have these flashes you are going to have them, and live with them, for a long time. Pulling the trigger now and spending the additional money is probably a good idea.