Alien Bees or White Lightning?

[exodusfman800]

I thought I was set on Elinchrom D-Lite 4's...but my photo teacher highly recommends AB's, so I'm taking a look at what they have to offer compared to the Elinchroms. Either way, I'm looking to get one light for the time being.

AB's:
-B800 or B1600
-13ft stand
-Large Octobox

White Lightning:
-X800
-13ft stand
-Large Octobox

Now for the questions...

1) What difference am I going to see between the AB's and Lightnings besides a stronger body?

2) How big of a difference will I see between a B800 and B1600?

3) Is it worth going with the Lightnings?

[MT Stringer]

2) How big of a difference will I see between a B800 and B1600?
Twice the power.

[Marloon]

Id recommend you wait for the Einstein 640Ws mono block. It has white lighting features in AB bodies. The only problem with AB bodies is their lexan build. if they featured metal bodies, i'd be all over that.

[agphotography]

I agree, that was the only thing that kept me from buying the Bees. About 4 years ago I bought 2 White Lightnings, the X1600s, they're just awesome for a self-contained unit. I'm very intrigued to see how the Einstein system pans out, but I've been nothing but pleased with my white lightnings. Durable as heck! They even survived a super-gusty shoot outdoors that knocked over a lightstand and despite the fact that it dinged up the reflector a bit you'd never know its even been out of the case!

And that's 4 years of use!

[SnlpeR]

white lightning is said to have consistent color throughout its power range.

[exodusfman800]

Twice the power.

Yes, thank you. To clarify, in what kind of situations would it be better to have the extra power of the 1600's?

[gonzogolf]

Yes, thank you. To clarify, in what kind of situations would it be better to have the extra power of the 1600's?

The only problem with getting the 1600 over the 800 is that you can overpower a small room with the 1600. Bees have a color shift when used at the very low end of their power scale. If your primary purpose is studio shooting you may never the 800 above half power inside. If you are shooting midday and want to compete with the sun and underexpose the ambient then the extra power of the 1600 is useful.

[bobbyz]

white lightning is said to have consistent color throughout its power range.

Where does it say that?

AB and WL are pretty much same design.

[gonzogolf]

Where does it say that?

AB and WL are pretty much same design.


From what I have read, the white lightning has two circuits, when you want to use it at lower powers you only use one of them rather than both.

[bobbyz]

From what I have read, the white lightning has two circuits, when you want to use it at lower powers you only use one of them rather than both.

You mean the X1600 and X3200. But the WB issues remain the same (not that they are any problem for me so far as I don't shoot at 1/16 or 1/32 with my ABs). It was discussed a while back on another thread.

[MT Stringer]

Yes, thank you. To clarify, in what kind of situations would it be better to have the extra power of the 1600's?

In my case, I bought them specifically for strobing high school basketball. A few examples are located here (http://mtstringer.smugmug.com/Sports/Basketball/Stalin-Hoops-Invitational/10042938_8K9ic#688143519_Bu7to).
Mike

[SnlpeR]

hm i read it again
consistent and correct output levels...not color
sorry

[bobbyz]

hm i read it again
consistent and correct output levels...not color
sorry

Even for power levels, I would like to see pop to pop consistency test at 1/16 or 1/32 setting.

The basic circuits are same between WL and AB, so I doubt things will change between the two as far as pop to pop consistency and WB shift at lower power settings.

BTW - I am happy AB user.

[AxxisPhoto]

I thought I was set on Elinchrom D-Lite 4's...but my photo teacher highly recommends AB's, so I'm taking a look at what they have to offer compared to the Elinchroms. Either way, I'm looking to get one light for the time being.

AB's:
-B800 or B1600
-13ft stand
-Large Octobox

White Lightning:
-X800
-13ft stand
-Large Octobox

Now for the questions...

1) What difference am I going to see between the AB's and Lightnings besides a stronger body?

2) How big of a difference will I see between a B800 and B1600?

3) Is it worth going with the Lightnings?

1) WB and output are pretty much the same. With AB's, I've read the the WB gets pinkish at low power levels. I haven't seen that with mine.

2) Overall, not much. They are the same type flastube.

3) They are both high quality monolights and it all depends on what your price range is.

Id recommend you wait for the Einstein 640Ws mono block. It has white lighting features in AB bodies. The only problem with AB bodies is their lexan build. if they featured metal bodies, i'd be all over that.


What is wrong with the Lexan build? I've had my Bee's for 3 years and the build quality is excellent.

[jacuff]

Id recommend you wait for the Einstein 640Ws mono block. It has white lighting features in AB bodies. The only problem with AB bodies is their lexan build. if they featured metal bodies, i'd be all over that.

Why not the also announced but not yet available AB Max lights instead? I mean so far they are both Vaporware, but at least the AB Max units might actually get released within the next year. ;)

[gonzogolf]

Why not the also announced but not yet available AB Max lights instead? I mean so far they are both Vaporware, but at the AB Max units might actually get released within the next year. ;)

The AB Max has been rechristened the Einstein. AB MAX name is now dead.

[jacuff]

The AB Max has been rechristened the Einstein. AB MAX name is now dead.

Hahaha... Yeah, just went there and saw this:
http://www.paulcbuff.com/pcb2009/progress-report.html