AlienBees or White Lighting

[jrshortbusrydaz]

What one should I get.
I know White Lighting is better, but I'm not a professional using lighting kits all the time.
My friend is offering to sell me
The B600
The medium size soft box
remote wireless transmitters
and the vagabond
For about 900$.
It's in brand new condition and has been used only about twice.

What do you think I should do? Buy the AlienBees from my friend, or go ahead and get White Lighting?

[cskn0125]

White lightning is actually not better. Both units are fairly comparable, with only a few differences. I use AB's and I love them.

There is no such thing as a B600, so I'm going to assume you mean AB800.

I think you and your friend have a misunderstanding along the deal, because those items can be bought brand new for about $725 right from the website. And that is assuming it's an AB800, as oppose to a 400.

Edit: I just re read my post and it sounds bitter and opinionated, haha. Sorry if it sounds like that - never intended.

If you need help in choosing the right gear, or whether you should buy new/used just let us know!

[jrshortbusrydaz]

I meant the B1600, sorry about that
And everything equals about 1025$

[viperx27]

I like their new zeus line better

[cskn0125]

ohhh, haha that makes sense.

Although...Even then, the AB1600, Med SB, Wireless transmitters, and a VII still only add to $810. Is anything else included?

Originally Posted by viperx27

I like their new zeus line better

You should tell us & the op why, considering they are new to lighting....

[jrshortbusrydaz]

B1600-359
Med Sb-119
Transmitter-119
Receiver-129
Vaga-299
=1025

Whoops..
I guess I didn't include the receiver.

[jrshortbusrydaz]

Originally Posted by viperx27

I like their new zeus line better

Any pros?
I'm getting the kit for Christmas probably so I'm up for anything

[cskn0125]

1600- 359.95
VII- 299.95
Med SB- 99.95
transmitter-39.95
receiver- 39.95
= 815.76

I guess we have different remotes and SB in our list then...

Get the ab's . Although, for $125, I would buy brand new.

[jrshortbusrydaz]

Yeah
That is true.
The only thing I was skeptical about buying from my friend it that it's only one flash unit.

What's your opinion on a lighting unit?

[cskn0125]

Well, you'd be surprised...you can do a lot with one light, just check out the one light threads. Especially if you purchase a reflector, one light is great to use, and awesome to learn off of.

I'm unsure what you mean by lighting "unit", do you mean a lighting package from AB?

[jrshortbusrydaz]

As in unit I mean
Brand, flash unit, etc.

[jrshortbusrydaz]

Wow, I didn't realize the time. I have to wake up for school in the morning.
When I wake up I'll reply to your reply.
But thanks for the help so far.

[cskn0125]

I'd suggest Ab800s or 1600's. Both can over power the sun and will usually give you enough power for anything else, especially the 1600. One or two will do you just perfect to learn from, and like I said, you can get pretty creative with one light. I'd also suggest getting a Sekonic L-358 light meter - sooner or later you will need one, especially if you decide to use two or more lights.

Perhaps this may work:

2 800's/1600's
2 large SB's (this can easily change depending on what you plan to shoot. What do you plan to shoot?)
Vagabond II
2 13' Heavy Duty stands (You can't purchase the cheaper, 10 footers because they can't take the weight of a softbox)
Sekonic L-358

Edit: haha, no problem...I have to wake up for school tomorrow too. Hopefully they cancel it- theirs tonnes of snow here but the rain seems to be ruining it!

[jrshortbusrydaz]

Alright.
I'll defiantly loot into it all.
What does a light meter do anyway?

And wha I plan on shooting is just some portraits of friends, and hopefully get some people willing to pay
and my and one particular friend and going to do some modeling picture for some agencys.
And I'm going to shoot a sweet 16 for someone, and I was going to have a light set up so i could get everyone at the dance floor.
I saw that does at my cousins wedding not to long ago, so I was going to try it out

[jrsforums]

Originally Posted by jrshortbusrydaz

What one should I get.
I know White Lighting is better, but I'm not a professional using lighting kits all the time.
My friend is offering to sell me
The B600
The medium size soft box
remote wireless transmitters
and the vagabond
For about 900$.
It's in brand new condition and has been used only about twice.

What do you think I should do? Buy the AlienBees from my friend, or go ahead and get White Lighting?

Here is an excellent explanation of differences between ABs and WLs by RDKirk

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/590617