b800 or b1600?

jtschell wrote in post #12221245
I've seen the photos and I'm aware of the physical differences, I was repeating what the cust service rep on the phone said.

While I don't disagree with the statement that there might be some color shift at lower power, I think it's being overstated slightly and/or due to poor technique.

I would love to see a side-by-side comparison.

Oh, then I guess I misunderstood.. my apologies! it sounded like your call to PCB was to try and figure out the differences between the units.

It really only becomes really bad in certain situations, but it can tank a decent shot. If you have multiple strobes and they decide to shift at different times it's going to be trouble.

sigma pi wrote in post #12221359
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=867993

Looks like Gonzo Knows what he is doing.

Please don't do that. I was not singling anyone out and I certainly have no desire nor do I see the sense in bringing in another photographer's work for critique that didn't ask for it. However, and will all due respect to Gonzo, a quick read through the comments, including the photographers own comments would be helpful for you to see why this is a bad example for you to use.

Also, I don't see how that even remotely answers my request for a side by side comparison.

BrandonSi wrote in post #12221360
Oh, then I guess I misunderstood.. my apologies! it sounded like your call to PCB was to try and figure out the differences between the units.

It really only becomes really bad in certain situations, but it can tank a decent shot. If you have multiple strobes and they decide to shift at different times it's going to be trouble.

Well, it didn't start out that way, but that's how the conversation ended -


I'm interested in your comment "decide to shift.." Are you saying the lights somehow (no, not decide), but waver in their intensity? That some shots will get you consistent color while other shots will not?

That seems like bad craftsmanship, no?

jtschell wrote in post #12221439
Please don't do that. I was not singling anyone out and I certainly have no desire nor do I see the sense in bringing in another photographer's work for critique that didn't ask for it. However, and will all due respect to Gonzo, a quick read through the comments, including the photographers own comments would be helpful for you to see why this is a bad example for you to use.

Also, I don't see how that even remotely answers my request for a side by side comparison.

Sorry thought you were saying something else. Never mind.

I dont have AB so I cant give you a 1/32 and a 1/1 shot. When I have used AB it was over 1/2 probably around 3/4

sigma pi wrote in post #12221469
Sorry thought you were saying something else. Never mind.

I dont have AB so I cant give you a 1/32 and a 1/1 shot.

Not a problem! Dealing with teenagers all day (who aren't even my own) sometimes (always) puts me on the defensive.

I have an AB1600, I'm more than happy to set up a few tests shots this afternoon.

And, like I said, I don't think there isn't a color shift, I was just saying it's probably more overstated than actually happens.

jtschell wrote in post #12221506
Not a problem! Dealing with teenagers all day (who aren't even my own) sometimes (always) puts me on the defensive.

I have an AB1600, I'm more than happy to set up a few tests shots this afternoon.

And, like I said, I don't think there isn't a color shift, I was just saying it's probably more overstated than actually happens.

Ahh Yeah no big deal my mistake. That would drive me insane

It probably frustrates people because they get "the shot" and a cast from one strobe is there.

I did not have it happen to me, but only used AB twice.

jtschell wrote in post #12221506
Not a problem! Dealing with teenagers all day (who aren't even my own) sometimes (always) puts me on the defensive.

I have an AB1600, I'm more than happy to set up a few tests shots this afternoon.

And, like I said, I don't think there isn't a color shift, I was just saying it's probably more overstated than actually happens.

I don't want to paper over an issue or blindly seem like an Alien Bees fan, but I haven't noticed much of a color shift. From my experience (4 AB800, AB1600, ABR800), there is a very small color shift from full to 1/32nd, going from about 5500 at full or a little under full to a slightly more yellow tint at low. If I'm just using one light, it's not even something I think about, as I will invariably shift my own color after the fact in post. With multiple strobes, I've only been bothered by it once. To me, the color is much more consistent than the power output from shot-to-shot, which can vary by a quarter of a stop for me on occasion while I'm metering. Not trying to fan the flames or anything; I really like my Alien Bees and, for my level of precision, it hasn't been make or break in my mind.

I bought the Alien Bees to take on location because I didn't want to possibly hurt my Acute 2R heads and pack. I've started using them both indoor and out instead of the Profoto rig for a lot of gigs because of their ease of setup, use, and I've been pleased with the results. This is probably blasphemous to say, but I'm considering selling the Profoto and just going with Einsteins...

anlenke wrote in post #12221632
This is probably blasphemous to say, but I'm considering selling the Profoto and just going with Einsteins...

Yup Here comes a mob for you. Ill buy you an Einstein for your profoto

I have no idea whether I've been insulted or not, so I'll say not. I'm a big advocate for alien bees. I like the product and think they provide a good value at a decent price point. But I wont pretend they are without flaws, perhaps not as many or significant as cheerleaders for other brands claim however. In my experience the 1600 has a distinct red shift at the bottom of the power curve. It can be mostly corrected, but its there. If I think I need to go lower I use my AB800 so I dont have to deal with it.

gonzogolf wrote in post #12221885
I have no idea whether I've been insulted or not, so I'll say not. I'm a big advocate for alien bees. I like the product and think they provide a good value at a decent price point. But I wont pretend they are without flaws, perhaps not as many or significant as cheerleaders for other brands claim however. In my experience the 1600 has a distinct red shift at the bottom of the power curve. It can be mostly corrected, but its there. If I think I need to go lower I use my AB800 so I dont have to deal with it.

No, of course you weren't. I stated how I didn't want to critique them because well, well, for a variety of reasons, but mostly because it wasn't you who posted them to this thread (and it not being a critique thread).

In addition, I noted that the subsequent comments added by yourself and others indicated that there were things you could have done differently to add to my point that the ABs might not be to blame for the color shift as noted by yourself and others.

Anyway, we've moved past it. Sorry to have drug your name in.

jtschell wrote in post #12222625
No, of course you weren't. I stated how I didn't want to critique them because well, well, for a variety of reasons, but mostly because it wasn't you who posted them to this thread (and it not being a critique thread).

In addition, I noted that the subsequent comments added by yourself and others indicated that there were things you could have done differently to add to my point that the ABs might not be to blame for the color shift as noted by yourself and others.

Anyway, we've moved past it. Sorry to have drug your name in.

I'm with you up to a point. But I'm not sure where you get that my technique is the problem with the color shift. I said I could have perhaps done a better job of fixing it, but that only highlights the fact that its there out of the camera.

sigma pi wrote in post #12221715
Yup Here comes a mob for you. Ill buy you an Einstein for your profoto

Thoughtful, but thanks, I'm alright.
I'm going to first purchase a couple of Einsteins and see how they suit me. I know the precision and durability aren't Profoto quality. I would miss that with shooting Medium Format film.

@gonzo: Do you have multiple Alien Bees? Do they all seem to do this? I only have one 1600 and it does that a bit as well, and my B800's don't all seem to do it the same amount...I am just wondering if it's a quality or a design issue, or a combination of the two.

anlenke wrote in post #12222814
Thoughtful, but thanks, I'm alright.
I'm going to first purchase a couple of Einsteins and see how they suit me. I know the precision and durability aren't Profoto quality. I would miss that with shooting Medium Format film.

@gonzo: Do you have multiple Alien Bees? Do they all seem to do this? I only have one 1600 and it does that a bit as well, and my B800's don't all seem to do it the same amount...I am just wondering if it's a quality or a design issue, or a combination of the two.

I have a 1600 and an 800. I don't notice it so much with the 800, but that might be a result from how I tend to use them. Partly I just dont go that low with either of them anymore and the fact that I have a strobist kit I use when the power (and big modifiers) of the AB's are not needed.

anlenke wrote in post #12222814
Thoughtful, but thanks, I'm alright.

DANG!! ............... you sure? jk

how does the ABR800 do?

gonzogolf wrote in post #12222644
I'm with you up to a point. But I'm not sure where you get that my technique is the problem with the color shift. I said I could have perhaps done a better job of fixing it, but that only highlights the fact that its there out of the camera.

I see.. To clarify, the photos were posted to illustrate that you, as a photographer, are capable of taking good shots and that is wasn't your technique which caused the shift and I agree. In my effort to make a general statement about something, I inadvertantly included you only because you happened to have been the poster before me who mentioned it. Not my intention, I assure you.

Er, this is becoming way more than I intended..

So, to summarize, I have two AB800s and an AB1600 and I've never noticed a problem.