Kacey BD - Studio Light of Flash?

I have just about decided to order a BD. My plan is to use it my home as well as on Strobst type shoots. As I see it I have two choices:

1) AlienBees 400 with Vagabond Mini triggered by RadioPopper JrX triggers as they will let me control the amount of light from the trigger.

2) One (or two) of my 550 flashes triggered by my YN-662C triggers which will let me do ETTL but not allow manual flash control (from the camera). Conversely I could use the RadioPopper JrX triggers to get manual flash control from the camera but not ETTL.

I have all the above equipment but not the Kacey BD ($143) or the speedbacket ($136 or $171)for the Canons or the adapter for the AlienBees ($21).

It's obviously cheaper to go the AB route. I shoot mostly for fun but do the occasional paid job.

Would you consider ETTL the driving force or the increased power of the ABs to be be more important? Any other considerations?

Jim

I would go with the AlienBees. I see no advantage in having an ETTL capable beauty dish.

Off camera, fixed distance lighting is easily controlled via power setting. ETTL is intended for fast moving situations where the distance between subject and light is constantly variable.

First, a beauty dish is a specific modifier that delivers a specific quality of light.

I'd use a monolight with a beauty dish. And I'd think about how versatile a beauty dish is as a general modifier. It's one benefit outdoors, is that its relatively small and immune to wind.

Seems like the AB is the way to go. Any other thoughts?

JIm

Had both, lighting wise they pretty close. Only reason I would pick AB over flashes if needing more light where higher output of AB will help.

BTW - if you decide to get dual bracket let me know. I might have one for sale.

I can recommend the Kacey BD but not their grid. See this thread............
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1139106

I agree that you ought to go with the AB for the beauty dish. I would be interested in the reasons you are selecting a BD over other modifiers. Its not the most versatile of modifiers. Since you are buying lights to fit a dish, you must have a reason.

Interesting the ABs seem to have the most supporters. I am somewhat surprised.

Why I am thinking about a beauty dish is easy. Looking for something perhaps easier to use on location while still having something suitable for a studio. I have had a number of options blow over on location and understand the BD would be more stable. (I have a Softlighter, a 24 Cheetah softbox, and a 37" octa as well as a few umbrellas)

Jim

jmaher wrote in post #15079372
Interesting the ABs seem to have the most supporters. I am somewhat surprised.

Why I am thinking about a beauty dish is easy. Looking for something perhaps easier to use on location while still having something suitable for a studio. I have had a number of options blow over on location and understand the BD would be more stable. (I have a Softlighter, a 24 Cheetah softbox, and a 37" octa as well as a few umbrellas)

Jim

Even a beauty dish will blow over without lots of weight on the stand legs.
Get the flat Kacey adapter ring for the AB. Also, if you can justify it, get the double speedlite bracket. They are great resource. I have one with a Kacey Elinchrom interface attached. That makes it easy to use with any modifier I have by putting an Elinchrom adapter in its speed ring.

Another option, although its much less substantial, is the speedlite mount that was referenced a couple of pages back. Its easy to find Bowens adapter rings for just about any modifier. and the bracket is inexpensive. Although I think I'd add some top of ring to horizontal slide additional support if I were doing to put something heavy on it.