anyone use AlienBees?

i've met only a few who've bought their system or parts, w/mixed reviews.

anyone? (i'm currently in the process of re-editing my shopping list for lighting, and of course wanted to still ask around before i go plopping down money).

also, any cheaper comparables to the profoto d4 power pack? asymetrical and f/stops are my 2 main concern here : )

thanks

Alien Bees are just plain great lights for the money. Well built, good quality, amazing customer service, and a dependable product. A good lot of people on this forum use them. I've got four of them, myself.

stand by to get crushed in the rush.

Mosey on over to the Small Flash and Studio Lighting forum, do a search on Alienbees, and you'll get your answer.

The short version: Yes, many forum members use Alienbees.

I'm sure you'll find out for yourself but the general concensus is that Alien Bees strobes give you great bang for the buck. They perform well and everyone I know in these forums that owns or uses them always speaks highly of them and the company. They have excellent customer service and stand behind their products.

Bee's are a very popular brand on this board, I plan to pick up a set when I make my lighting order.

I have only one light and its their B400. This is the least expensive and its already paid for it self in my first shoot. Soon I will be getting more.

I have just a single B1600. I'd say it's like a good prosumer Canon prime. Nice output but build quality isn't top of the line although not bad. The price makes up for it.

I have several and plan to get a couple more - for a total of six. I plan to do large group photos as a retirement business in the not-too-distant future, and these work great.

I liken Alien Bees to a 5D, there are better cameras out there, but the price starts going up dramatically for what you get.

Alien Bees are the 90% solution, to which the curve on price versus function goes up steeply after that point. I have two each AB400, 800 and 1600 because they are the best strobe for the money unless you can truly afford the next level up. (Elinchrom, Profoto, Broncolor, and a few more )

So I use them a lot and obviously like them.

neil_r wrote in post #2742420
stand by to get crushed in the rush.

haha, as soon as i saw the question I was gona type something like this lol.

Many many people on these forums love and use Alien Bee lights, Im one of them.

For the price, you cant go wrong, its a good light, and the AB customer service team impressed me.

I bought one AB800, then another AB800 and AB400 soon after. I still plan on buying more of their products when the times comes.

IMO its one of the best entry level lighting systems out there. If bang for the buck is what you want, then I think you will find that with ABs. Ive even seen some pros use them, there is a local portrait studio in my mall and they also use AB lights. As an owner of them, I was happy to see that since they use them everyday.

also with AB if you buy a 400 AB and later down the road you can send them your 400 and they will upgrade ur light to a 800-1600. Cost is $25 plus the diffrence between the 400 and whichever you upgrade to. Pretty sweet customer service, I will be buy ABs for my studio

I got 2 400s and i'm about to order a 800

I have 3 B800's and a fourth on the way in a week. For the price there is no way I could have a 4 light setup with any other manufacturer. Yes, it's about price but they really do perform quite well.

Love my Bees. Ive got a couple shoots already setup, so Im anxious to really put them to use.