Alienbee users

[swatcop169]

I didn't like the digibee package, so I made my own package. Tell me what you think and if I should +/- things from the list.

2 x B800
1 x Boom arm attachment
2 x 13 foot heavy duty stands
1 x 30" x 60" Softbox with LGVR
1 x 48" Silver/White umbrella

Total w/shipping comes to $926

[Longwatcher]

My only curiosity is why the boom arm? Otherwise looks good for a basic set up.

But it would help if you let us know what kind of shooting you aill be doing, such a portrait, models, products, etc..

[swatcop169]

My only curiosity is why the boom arm? Otherwise looks good for a basic set up.

But it would help if you let us know what kind of shooting you aill be doing, such a portrait, models, products, etc..

Long it will be for different shoots, model, products, portrait, I will end up grabbing a Vagabond so I can take the setup with me if I need to.

[Longwatcher]

For Model and Portrait, you will probably find you need at least a third light, but two can do a pretty good job. The Vagabond is very cool, just remember to turn off the modeling light before using it.

Given two AB800s and 13' light stands I am thinking you won't need the boom arm much, but for product shots it might come in handy (or if you don't have a lot of room, but a high ceiling).

[charlesu]

I agree a third light is a good idea. Make sure that you also get a speed ring with their soft box (I think you do).

You can do a lot with 1 light. More with 2. Still more with 3. With 4 you can do main, fill, hair and background. You might not need it right now but something to think about down the road. For small product, 1-2 lights will be fine.

Good luck!

[swatcop169]

Thanks to the both of you, I'll check into the 3rd light, quick question. Will the softbox work well using strobes? I could see it working well with constant light, but what about strobes?

[charlesu]

Thanks to the both of you, I'll check into the 3rd light, quick question. Will the softbox work well using strobes? I could see it working well with constant light, but what about strobes?

I use softboxes all the time. Not to say that umbrellas are not great tools. Yes, softboxes work well with strobes.

[swatcop169]

I use softboxes all the time. Not to say that umbrellas are not great tools. Yes, softboxes work well with strobes.

Thanks charlesu, do you think it would be best to have two softboxes instead of 1 and a umbrella?

[charlesu]

A softbox with a grid and a skirt suspended over the subject will allow you to keep the light on the subject, out of the camera's lens and off the background.



My lights are not comfortable wearing skirts in public. :oops:

[swatcop169]

ROFL at Charlesu

[Longwatcher]

Hmmm,
Didn't think of putting my softbox on a boom arm, probably because I figured it would fall over too easily. I get a lot of control with the softbox on the light stand using ABs. I don't have it directly over the camera though, it is about 30 degrees off camera. I have the giant softbox from AB. it turns and swivels to almost every position I might need it, between the AB800 and the softbox position controls. The only positions I can't do is straight down (the boom would be handy for that I admit) but I personally don't need it to do that.
Perhaps your softbox doesn't turn like mine does. {also for trivia: If I put the softbox over the camera, I could put the stand behind me and the softbox would go over my head and in front of the camera with a touch of room to spare. They did say giant softbox}

I used my boom for a hair light, but that was my third light (thus my question if someone is only getting two lights). I found bouncing the hair light off the ceiling worked much better at giving me a natural light on the subject.

I have been thinking about getting a second softbox to replace the umbrella I use on my fill light. I know I am somewhat backwards in that I have heard most people use the umbrella for main and softbox for fill, but if it works for me....

From what I have read softboxes all around work better then umbrellas, but the problem is they take longer to set up and they take up more room then umbrellas.

And for models I have heard octogonal softboxes look better in the eyes, but rectangular or square soft boxes are better for products. Can't afford to get enough equipment to try all of that out yet, still saving for 85/1.2 and 135/2 first. (although I might get 5th AB and 2nd softbox soon).

Just what works so far for me, but am still changing my mind every day.

[cmM]

how many lights you use is a matter of prefference. I like reflectors a lot.

[toddb]

I just got some whiteboard to add a little flash and seems to work ok. I got that 800 and large softbox here is my first day with it:

http://www.toddburke.net/gear/lighting_gear/alien_b800_and_soft_box.htm

I'm going to try and work my 550EX into it to maybe fill some more. I'm pretty surprised though how cool of shots you can get with just one big softbox though.

[MediaMagic]

Many good points in this thread...

If you are going to use the boom arm, you really should pick up a couple of sandbags/stand weights too. I weight *everything* down, but I'm probably over cautious. But let me tell you this.. if you use the boom.. your stand and light will sit there perfectly, until you walk away, or turn your back, or a guest on the set bites into a dorito causing a sound wave, and then it will topple over, maniacally laughing at you all the way down.

Softboxes are also good for feathering.

Oh yeah, and gaffers tape. Don't leave home, or stay home without it. Looks like duct tape, but doesn't leave the messy tape residue. It's a must for any studio, portable or not.

[cmM]

i thought boom arms come with counterweights.... don't they? I might be wrong

[MediaMagic]

Yes, they do, but you'd be surprised at how easily a stand can topple over with a boom, even with a good counter weight. It's just better to be completely safe than to be placing an order for replacement parts.

[swatcop169]

I agree on teh info, some information here. Keep it coming guys

[charlesu]

There are booms and then there are booms. The one I routinely use in the studio is similar to this one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/5616.jpg

It has a counterweight on the arm as well as a sandbag handing from the base of the stand. I have a couple of other, smaller booms as well. You do have to be VERY careful about balance and movement with these but, as someone pointed out above, they are quite handy for hair lights, product shots, etc.

[iwatkins]

I also use a boom to hang a light/softbox over my product shooting table or over my mini cove. And almost straight away, you will then go back out and buy the remote control for that light as now you can't reach the controls :)

Another thing to remember. Once you have you light/softbox at one end of a boom and the counterweight the other, the whole setup takes on a life of its own. Simply moving the light requires a tiny amount of energy but then it seems to magnify it into the inertia of a oil tanker at full speed ahead :)

Oh, and another. While the whole lot is setup and perfectly counterbalanced, don't then go and try taking the light/softbox off one end of the boom. The stand, boom and counterweight will get away from you and probably punch a hole in your wall/other lights/backdrop/your head :)

Ah, fun times in the studio.....

Anyone mentioned trip hazards in the studio yet ? or is that a whole new thread ? :twisted:

Cheers

Ian