What brand of studio equipment?

[DocFrankenstein]

I will get a studio sometime in the winter.

I would like your opinions on the brand I should invest in. There are a lot of people using alien bees and like them. I've also heard lots of people referring to the Bees as cheap and not as reliable as some other higher end brands.

Should I consider Bowens and Elanchrome? Will I notice the difference? Are the extra features/reliability/durability worth it? :confused:

I'm going to be using them to:
1) learn about portraiture
2) light up wedding halls

How easy is it to transport the bees? Should I consider someting "lower" than the bees/white lighting like Opus?

Thank you for your opinions.

[SkipD]

I've had a set of two AlienBees 800's and one 1600 for several years and haven't had one bit of trouble. They work very well. Customer support is really good. If I were going into business using them every day on location (as opposed to within the same studio every day), I might look at something a little more physically able to stand a daily pounding. However, I carry these in industrial cases that I glommed onto, and they go on the road with me without complaining at all.

I would suggest a set of 3 or 4 of the 1600's along with 10- to 13-foot stands for the wedding halls. You can turn them down when you need to, but they will give you the required power at a very reasonable cost.

I wouldn't go for anything less than the AlienBees units. The lesser stuff doesn't have the versatility (like the 5-stop turndown and the ability to use a lot of different accessories) that the 'Bees have.

[RDKirk]

I will get a studio sometime in the winter.

I would like your opinions on the brand I should invest in. There are a lot of people using alien bees and like them. I've also heard lots of people referring to the Bees as cheap and not as reliable as some other higher end brands.

Should I consider Bowens and Elanchrome? Will I notice the difference? Are the extra features/reliability/durability worth it? :confused:.

AlienBees are about the cheapest lights that can be depended upon for basic professional work. Yes, they are dependable within limits. Compare them to a 20D or D100 camera. No, they aren't equivalent to a Hasselblad or 1Ds or D2x.

I have a set of five AlienBees that I use with the radio remote control and the Vagabond battery. I chose them for their light weight, compactness, and versatility for a purely on-location portrait photographer without an assistant. There is no other sytem at any price that combines the capabilities of AlienBees for my purposes. Even if I had more expensive units in a studio, I'd still have this Bee setup in my traveling trunk.

Whether you ever need any more than that is up to you. To get substantially better, you will have to spend substantially more money. Bowens won't perform any better; you'd have to spend upwards of $800 per 300 watt-second light to get better results. For instance, over on the Rob Galbraith forum, a guy ran the only comparison test I've ever seen of the light temperature consistency of several brands of high-end light units, as well as White Lightining (big brother of AlienBees that share the same electronics). He discovered that they were all equally inconsistant--they all dropped about 350 degrees Kelvin as the power levels were lowered to 1/4 power. You can get special models of a couple of brands that are designed to be consistent, but they will be VERY expensive.

I would advise you to get a couple of B800 lights to start with. The price won't break your heart. After a bit, you'll discover what features are important, as well as what you really want. You will be able to make smart decisions on spending big money...if you want to. You'll still be able to use the AlienBees as accent or hair lights--it won't be wasted money.

[DocFrankenstein]

Hmm... The bees and WL have the same electronics. Why do then the WL costs so much more per watt*second?

[DocFrankenstein]

Re-reading photo.net articles I got this:

http://photo.net/photo/studio-photography.html
Warning: there is a brand of mail-order flash called White Lightning (Paul Buff) that is sold as X watt-seconds for N dollars. These supposedly aren't such horrible flashes but the watt-seconds figures are absurd. The true output is something like X/2 in which case the monolights aren't any cheaper than other cheap brands.

And white lighting is better than the bees...

[mjordan]

I have used the SP Excaliburs for about 4 or 5 years now and have not had any problems. You can get a Excalibur kit with multiple lights, light stands, umbrellas, for less than the Bees. I've had them across the country a couple of times and out on location as well as shooting with them at home. I've replaced one fuse once and a modeling light twice in all that time.

The other advantage of the SP line is that they sell softboxes, light stands, snoots, barndoors, and other things under their name that are cheaper than buying the same stuff under their brand name. I have one SP 6400 (640 watt seconds), SP 3200 (320 WS) and a SP 1600 (160 WS). They aren't as compact as the Bees, but then they don't need a fan to keep the heat from building up either like the Bees do, so they are quieter.

Anyway, just another brand to consider.

Mike

[scottbergerphoto]

I have used the SP Excaliburs for about 4 or 5 years now and have not had any problems. You can get a Excalibur kit with multiple lights, light stands, umbrellas, for less than the Bees. I've had them across the country a couple of times and out on location as well as shooting with them at home. I've replaced one fuse once and a modeling light twice in all that time.

The other advantage of the SP line is that they sell softboxes, light stands, snoots, barndoors, and other things under their name that are cheaper than buying the same stuff under their brand name. I have one SP 6400 (640 watt seconds), SP 3200 (320 WS) and a SP 1600 (160 WS). They aren't as compact as the Bees, but then they don't need a fan to keep the heat from building up either like the Bees do, so they are quieter.

Anyway, just another brand to consider.

Mike
I bought 3 SP Excalibur 3200 kits at B&H, added a softbox and beauty disc. I'm very happy with them.

[Joe R]

If you are thinking about the Alienbee 1600, consider the White Lightning 1600 instead. You get a 250 watt modeling light (instead of the 100watt AB which is upgradable to 150watts), 5 year warranty instead of 2 year, & better build quality (especially important for holding bigger softboxes).

[2goldens]

I have enjoyed this topic of discussion. I am thinking about making the leap myself and purchasing a set of studio lights. I am glad I saw this thread. Great information.

[Johnny V]

Re-reading photo.net articles I got this:
http://photo.net/photo/studio-photography.html
And white lighting is better than the bees...

Don't hold too much weight on Philip Greenspun's opinions.

[SeanH]

I am starting out as well. I thought about the AB's for a long time but then I rented a set of the Calumet's (which are Bowens) and really liked them. Very well built, and have a 250W modeling light instead of the 100W the AB's have. So I bought the set, which is fairly close to the AB's price.......of course I got them to knock off a 100 bucks....LOL. However I got a smaller softbox and no grids (comparing to the AB kit), I also liked the way the Bowens looked. The AB's look kinda cheap & plastic.......even if the are great built lights. However if any of you are shooting in a garage like me you can save some money and go with the 400W lights. I have two 750's & a 375, and I could shoot at f32 all day long if I wanted to. I end up using about 1/8 power to get F8. That's using a 24 foot depth 2 car garage with 9 foot ceilings.

[Wilt]

I suggest also considering Photogenic Powerlights. I witnesses a drect comparison to White Lightning a number of years ago, and the Photogenics won on ALL counts! Claims about output power from WL ads did not equal light output from the Photogenics, with reflector, with reflector removed (to eliminate differences in reflector reflectivity), and a number of other characteristics. If you expect to use softboxes for your lights, you MUST get units with built in fans. Do not accept anything with only 60-100w modelling lights, as any ambient light coming thru windows will wash out the modelling lights so you cannot see the lighting to evaluate placement.

[DocFrankenstein]

After visiting a few photography professors and professionals, I will probably go with either Profoto or Bowens once I get enough money to spring for that.

[mjordan]

I suggest also considering Photogenic Powerlights. I witnesses a drect comparison to White Lightning a number of years ago, and the Photogenics won on ALL counts! Claims about output power from WL ads did not equal light output from the Photogenics, with reflector, with reflector removed (to eliminate differences in reflector reflectivity), and a number of other characteristics. If you expect to use softboxes for your lights, you MUST get units with built in fans. Do not accept anything with only 60-100w modelling lights, as any ambient light coming thru windows will wash out the modelling lights so you cannot see the lighting to evaluate placement.

Two things...

One, there are a couple of different classes of Photogenic lights. There are the cheapie lights and then there are their better quality and more expensive lights. If you buy the digital high quality set of Photogrenics, then they are excellent lights. The cheaper ones, usually for beginners or for light use, are not made as well (I don't mean they are made bad either), which is why they cost less and have less features and lower output.

The second is that if the light is built for it, you don't need a fan. The Alien Bees are in a tiny plastic box with all he components in tight. They have to have a fan because of heat build up. The Excaliburs are in a bigger plastic box that gives room for the heat to dissapate out side louvers and doesn't need fans... even when using with softboxes. I shoot with softboxes all the time and mine only get hot where you would expect it, around the modeling light and flash tube... which a internal fan won't help. Not having a fan makes the Excaliburs quieter as well. So if built right, monolights do not need a fan for use with a softbox.

Mike

[Wilt]

<<The second is that if the light is built for it, you don't need a fan. The Alien Bees are in a tiny plastic box with all he components in tight. They have to have a fan because of heat build up.>>

The issue is not heat buildup of the electronic components, but of heat buildup due to the 250W modelling light that is constantly on for you to visually assess the lighting as you set up the props, product, or model! Special softboxes built especially for hot lights are available, but softboxes built for studio strobes are not constructed with the heat dissipation and resistance, causing reliance on the head or monolight to have the fan.

[wareseeker]

What you paid is what you get.

[mnoo]

I use alien bees and am very happy. Yes, they are cheap, but good value for money. Yes, you can probably get better quality by paying considerably more. I like the fact that they're lightweight. And obviously, you can get them in pink. :P

[VentureFox]

I can wholeheartedly recommend Bowens. I've got 3x Esprit 500w with loads of accessories that has been lugged about, fallen over, gotten wet and despite that they go on and on. Never ever any problems - a terrific product.

Regards

[nat869]

I have two Alien Bee B800's and am pretty happy with them. They have performed well and have been a blast to use.

[Butcher9186]

Hi! Does anybody have any experience with the studio equipment available from ProFilmGear at http://www.ProFilmGear.co.uk ?
A friend of mine used their area studio lighting and backgrounds and said it was quite a bargain. I am just looking for a second opinion before buying equipment for my photo studio. Cheerio!

[T.Hogan]

Novatron m800 here. I've not had a bit of trouble with the set. Anyone else use Novatron here?

[KevC]

Hensel is supposedly very good bang for buck.

[DocFrankenstein]

Dead thread. Last year.

[brivett]

Hi! Does anybody have any experience with the studio equipment available from ProFilmGear at http://www.ProFilmGear.co.uk ?
A friend of mine used their area studio lighting and backgrounds and said it was quite a bargain. I am just looking for a second opinion before buying equipment for my photo studio. Cheerio!

Many of their products are ok for the money... (but I'm biased so ignore me...)

Look at http://www.yinyanflash.com/yhtm/yproducts-k.htm and you'll see where the CY-600K comes from.....

5 second recycle on 600W/S - as opposed to a EL500 at approx 1 second.... Could I live with that ?

[Tangledlines]

After visiting a few photography professors and professionals, I will probably go with either Profoto or Bowens once I get enough money to spring for that.

I just picked up a Profoto kit with 2 - 300watt Monoblocks, reflectors, Westcott umbrellas, stands, sync cord and case for only a couple hundred more than the Opus kits are going for. With the price of the Profoto kits I don't know why more people aren't buying them...plus they don't have a big ugly bee logo to cover up.. hehe

[Kostyanych]

Hensel is supposedly very good bang for buck.

Right now I am thinking about 2 x Hensel Integra 500 Pro. Looks good for me.
But unfortunately there are not many feedbacks about them here.