Done to death topic.. I know, but pls help?

I know this is done to death and I'll get, do a search, read the sticky. But I have honestly done all that and still cant decide! I'm so confused by all the suggestions. (same with figureing out another lens to get) I have read a few different forums and it's all just making my head spin.

I want to buy a studio light. Many have said, buy the Alienbee. OK... so say I go along with that. They have the AB400 and AB800. I have a small area for portraits, so will that matter in which to get? Would the umbrella be a better bet? Or softbox? or what?

I've seen this setup mentioned as being ok too. But would it be you get what you pay for? I just dont want to buy and then regret it.

So I've narrowed it down to Alienbee or the setup linked. Please tell me which is a better bet. If you choose Alienbee... which one. And for either option, are umbrella's, softbox's or softliter. (storage is important)

Well, thanks for any help and again, sorry for the done to death topic. I hate doing this, but it's driving me nuts. (my next topic will be a lens LOL.. I'll have to go bug that section next)

Pamela

Last week I went through the same struggle as you Pam. I decide on one AB800 flash with umbrella and one 42" reflector to start out with. Once I've snapped a few portraits, I was very happy with that decision. I figured it would have been harder to upgrade two flash units than to just buy an extra one incase the AB400s weren't powerful enough. Eventually with time I'd like to purchase another AB800, but for now, I'm happy with this start.

My brother in law has the Softboxes and he says that's it’s a hassle setting them up, especially if you don't have a permanent studio. I got the umbrella, and they take just a few seconds setting up. I'm glad I went with those because I live in a small apartment, and that means setting up and taking down the studio lights for every portrait session.

Thanks so much likophoto! That's the kind of feedback I need

As far as a reflector.... suggestions for those would be great too. I havent really looked into the options for that.

Pamela

I would go with the most power in one light rather than less in two; the reason being is that you can always decrease the light output but it's much harder to get more.

You'll find that there is a lot of great work that can be done with one light and reflectors.

Re softbox, I agree with likophoto, if you have a temp setup then umbrellas are much easier. Also, if you do go with only 1 (or even 2) light, you'll spend a lot more time messing with the box when you want to try different setups than with an umbrella.

You might also want to consider one powerfull light and a second weaker light that can be used for lighting the background or as a fill light.

Hi Pam,

I have the DigiBee setup (http://www.alienbees.c​om/digi.html). I have a small space for my "studio" as well and have found this to be enough light. I havent had them long, but havent had a need as of yet to move them up much past half power. I used them on two on-location photo shoots and still had more than sufficient output. Not to say I would not like to add 2 AB800s at some point, but if you are shooting in a small space in your home, you can easily work with the AB400s IMO.

In regards to softboxes, umbrellas, etc. I was not particularly found of the umbrellas, though they do have their uses....I just did not like them for portraits. Not wanting something that would be a pain to setup and take down, I chose to get a Photek Softlighter II, the large one (http://www.photekusa.​com). You can use it like a softbox, a bounce umbrella or a shoot through. It sets up easy, like an umbrella pretty much, so there is little construction on your part. You can get them through B&H at a much lesser price than the MSRP on the manufacturers website (which happens to be in CT, too!). Watch eBay, too. I have seen a couple of new ones at yet a better price recently. I dont know about the threads here, but if you go to the FM boards and search for the Softlighter you will see a lot of praise and positive feedback on the product. The quality of the construction and the lighting itself is super. I think this is a great product for someone just starting out with studio lighting since it can be used 3 different ways and the price is right.

Instead of using the 2nd light as a fill light, I have started using it as a hair or background light and using a reflector for fill. I got the reflector on eBay, a Fotodiox 5 in 1 32" (http://cgi.ebay.com …7&ssPageName=ST​RK:MEWN:IT) for $16.95. The price was great and the quality seems to be equal to that of the more expensive brands. Heck, people use foamcore or tinfoil so I doubt the brand of a reflector makes much difference. You will want an arm to hold this on a 3rd lightstand. I purchased the cheap general purpose one from B&H (I think it was $20something) and it seems a bit flimsy, but it is holding up fine and it does the job. I upgraded to an Impact HD lightstand ($38 from B&H), swapped it with the general purpose lightstand on my main light since that now needs to support the "softbox" and use the AB gen. purpose stand with the reflector for fill. I apologize if Im all over the place here LOL

Basically I am now using the following set up for my tiny space I call my "studio" :

1 AB400 with Photek Softlighter II, 7" reflector, Impact HD Lightstand
1 Gen Purpose Lightstand, Reflector Arm, 32" 5in1 Fotodiox Reflector
1 AB400 w/ 7" reflector on an Impact hairlight stand (still need grids & gels)
Calument backdrop support
Japanese Radio Slave 4 Channel AC to trigger lights, the sync cord is a pain*

*if you opt for one, get THIS one as some of the other generic models are not reliable. This is good for 60+ feet (they rate it for 100) without fail. It works like a charm and has not once malfunctioned. Unless you want to spend hundreds on Pocket Wizards or wish to remain tethered to your lights, this is a great, inexpensive way to go if you are only looking to trigger your flash.

Hope this helps. Email me at karina@karinabrach.com if you have any questions. I am in CT, too. Where abouts are you?

Good luck!

Having a little extra power is always a good idea in case you need to shoot a larger setup or group in another situation. I prefer the light quality from a softbox over an umbrella. I use umbrellas for location work where I will be moving the lights between shots, such as moving from office to office or in an industrial plant situation.

Thanks so much everyones for the feedback! Very helpful! I'm going to take these suggestions and go make my decision! LOL I'm bugging the heck out of my husband with this. I research things to death to make sure I'm doing the right thing.

Karina... I'm outside of Hartford by about 15 minutes at most. Close to the Mass. line. Thanks for all the help in your reply and for taking the time.

Pamela

If your trying to save money take note that the AB accesories are kind of high priced, Just order the lights, then get the stands and modifiers from adorama, their 10' air cushoned light stands are much less then the AB's

FWIW I recently listened to an interview with Paul Buff (founder of Alien Bees). He recommended someone starting out should use $30 umbrellas instead of $100 softboxes. He said softboxes were not really necessary. If you decided you wanted the look that softboxes give you later on, you can buy them then.

That is his advice not mine.

Thanks Headcase650.... that's what I'm wondering. I can buy just the light from AB and then the stand etc somewhere else. Do I have to watch out which light stand I buy to make sure they work with the AB lights? Same with umbrellas/softboxes/So​ftlighter? Are they all standard and work together no matter which brand?

And thanks mson... I'll keep that in mind.

Pamela

bumping this thread to get feedback on a question

Do I have to watch out which light stand I buy to make sure they work with the AB lights? Same with umbrellas/softboxes/So​ftlighter? Are they all standard and work together no matter which brand lights and/or stands?

Pamela

AFAIK the mount between light stands and studio lights is standarised. I have AB lights and Impact light stands from B&H and they connect fine.

for light modifier, I think its more important to understand what type of effect they have on a subject.

Each modifier behaves differently, and it is important to understand that. They all have their own characteristic on contrast, light fall off, hot spots, angle of light and feathering.

Start off simple and test and play with it.

I would seriously consider the kit I have linked from B&H. You will receive 2 300 w/s monolights for the same price as the SP 160's (you must place them in your cart to see the price)
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ghType=category​Navigation

I have several Paterson Stellar 600 w/s monolights I really like them