Trading in the Bees for a 580EXII?

So I have some Bees (AB800's) and a Vagabond II. GREAT lights! The problem is I never really let them out of the hive. Everything I want to shoot is on-location. I don't like the idea of having stangers at my house, and I can't afford a studio. When I bought the Bees, the intention was to learn lighting techniques and practice with them until I could convert a part of our house to a mini studio. Needless to say, plans changed and that's not gonna happen anytime soon. I'm ok with that since I like to shoot more "Lifestyle" like anyways. People doing their jobs, or hobbies. Kids playing at a park, or parents getting some R&R on the beach, etc.

Ok I'm rambling...I guess to sum it up I am changing my style a little and trying to get out more.

I had a shoot last weekend on the beach of an awesome little kid. The beach we found was perfect, however involved a nice little hike down (and back up) a very steep hill. Between the Camera Gear (decently heavy backpack), Lights, stands, modifiers, and that 1/2 ton Vagabond, that hill was much worse. All of that and I gotta stay under 1/200th? What would I have done if my assistant flaked!? lol

Anyways, makes more sense if I had a couple speedlites right? Then if I was unable to grab some help, I could still swing it solo at least. I know there's a bunch of PROS and CONS to each their own, but just curious what you guys think.

Tonight I'm taking in 3 rarely used AB800's, the Vagabond II with a brand new battery (used once - purchased last week), 2 Paul Buff Stands, Paul Buff Softbox (LG), Paul Buffs Triggers, and 3x 7" grids. Not sure how much i should expect to get but all that adds up to about $1600 new.

I have a 430EXII already and I think a 580EXII would go nice with it. I realize I will have to get PocketWizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5's to compliment the ETTL wirelessly (without infrared) but what do you guys think?

It would take several 580EX II's shooting into an umbrella (or softbox) to get the same power as one B800. To compete with the sun you'll need to get real close and deal with 5 second recycle time. High speed sync would make the power issue even worse.

I understand the portability factor but that's the price you pay for power.

Hotshoe flash units do have their uses, though. And with a bracket or two, you can use them with the same stands, umbrellas and triggering system you already have.

So I say keep the Bees and add a 580EX II when you can afford it. If you get rid of them, you'll kick yourself when Aunt Martha calls and wants you to shoot her 60-person class reunion shot.

Good luck!

Keep the bees. I have bees and also a 4 speedlight kit. The speedlights are nice for small stuff, but cant compete with the bees in terms of big soft modifiers or overpowering daylight. Keep the bees. (or trade me for a speedlite or two)

All I do it on location for the most part. I couldnt live without my ab's and vbII. Like Curtis said, it would take a lot of 580ex's to push that power.

I just got my 580exII and dont think I would use it nearly as much as my AB's (for what i do at least).

I'm surprised that you got the Vagabond II battery instead of the Mini which is about 3.5 lbs. Ditching the old heavy battery should help lighten the load a lot.

I thought about taking the speedlight path but I changed my mind & I'm going with the strobe path. My biggest problem is with the cost of the 580EX. I could get a strobe for about the same price & have more power for location shoots on sunny days. Again like others have said, speedlights have their place along with strobes.

Wow thanks for all the feedback and so quickly!

The power thing was the biggest debate. But at the same time, I just hardly ever use the bees, and have been wanting a 580EXII for so long. As for saving up, that's not even an option for awhile.

How do you guys who end up bringing the bees on-site along with the vagabond move it all? Like in my case for example. You are shooting a baby on the beach (with a nice hike) during sunset-ish hours. What would you bring? How would you pack it up and carry it to the shooting site?

gonzogolf wrote in post #12598061
Keep the bees. I have bees and also a 4 speedlight kit. The speedlights are nice for small stuff, but cant compete with the bees in terms of big soft modifiers or overpowering daylight. Keep the bees. (or trade me for a speedlite or two)

Most of my work is and will be small stuff though. So torn. But what speedlites would you be trading? lol

EdW wrote in post #12598163
I'm surprised that you got the Vagabond II battery instead of the Mini which is about 3.5 lbs. Ditching the old heavy battery should help lighten the load a lot.

I thought about taking the speedlight path but I changed my mind & I'm going with the strobe path. My biggest problem is with the cost of the 580EX. I could get a strobe for about the same price & have more power for location shoots on sunny days. Again like others have said, speedlights have their place along with strobes.

Thought about that path too (The Mini), just thought about it a little too late.

JPepus wrote in post #12598194
Thought about that path too (The Mini), just thought about it a little too late.

Sell the old battery in Craiglist. I knew someone that did that recently when he got his Mini. I believe that he got close to the price that he paid for it. In addition, he said that he got responses to his ad after he sold the battery. You might be able to recoup most of your money.

I am going to reverse way. Sold the vagabond II and got mini now. But irrespective of that you going to haul san bags with any system. If you got helpers to hold your 580xII you can have them hold AB800 with VML.

And what is the problem with shooting at or under max sync speed? We already covered that so many times here on POTN.

Up/down steep hikes? I never done that. But get a beach cart or kids wagon which has these pneumatic wheels to roll things on sand.

Curtis N wrote in post #12598026
So I say keep the Bees and add a 580EX II when you can afford it. If you get rid of them, you'll kick yourself when Aunt Martha calls and wants you to shoot her 60-person class reunion shot.

Good luck!

I remember you shooting that 60 person class reunion And yes- I wholeheartedly agree with Curtis. Power is hard to trade for portability.

Can you trade someone a B800 for a 580ex and some cash? Might be a better option, since I doubt you're hauling 3 lights on location and using them all for a kid shot on the beach

bobbyz wrote in post #12598271
I am going to reverse way. Sold the vagabond II and got mini now. But irrespective of that you going to haul san bags with any system. If you got helpers to hold your 580xII you can have them hold AB800 with VML.

And what is the problem with shooting at or under max sync speed? We already covered that so many times here on POTN.

Up/down steep hikes? I never done that. But get a beach cart or kids wagon which has these pneumatic wheels to roll things on sand.

I actually haven't read any of those max speed sync threads here. Will go look though.

Wagon idea isn't bad though! Surprised I didn't think of that...wait...no I'm not.

FWIW - I thought I was going to be a Speedlite Shooter for life. Untill I tried outdoors shooting. They simply don't put out enough juice and are extremely limiting.

You'll regret it IMO.

m.shalaby wrote in post #12598343
FWIW - I thought I was going to be a Speedlite Shooter for life. Untill I tried outdoors shooting. They simply don't put out enough juice and are extremely limiting.

You'll regret it IMO.

Thanks for the input. Maybe I will keep one and get a mini instead of the reg. vagabond. With that in mind I STILL might be able to get the 580exII as well. Won't light up Aunt Marthas reunion but will help.

JPepus wrote in post #12598172
....How do you guys who end up bringing the bees on-site along with the vagabond move it all? Like in my case for example. You are shooting a baby on the beach (with a nice hike) during sunset-ish hours. What would you bring? How would you pack it up and carry it to the shooting site?

Medium Octabox, 1 stand, vag II (acts as a weight to hold the stand down), camera with one lens, collasable reflector, transmitter, receiver, flashmeter, whitebalance tool, and that's it. Use the setting sun as a hair light, octabox as mainlight, and reflector for fill if needed (held by mother of baby).

Shouldn't bee too much to carry.

But if 580EX II would do you better than really no need to keep what you have.

John