anyone use AlienBees?

nitekatt2006 wrote in post #2758522
I use and recommend them to photography students and beginners who want to start experimenting with strobes and to help cure that nasty syndrome " a case of strobe terror." I really enjoy working with them, the light weight and portable packaging, the many extra products you can add to the system and the simplicity of operation.

I know they aren't in the class of Profoto or other high end gear, but the Bees deliver pro quality images. All the models I have shot with my 2 AB 800 have had amayzing skin tone accuracy and of course I always shoot with a makeup artist.

Many happy users here on the forum. The only thing that bugs me a bit are some of the bee colors like pink, I don't know, but i ordered black ones and I don't care for the big AB yellow logo on the carrying bags, i want to airbrush that out. That is my own preference, as i only like Black pro Canon DSLR, black lenses, or the exception of Canon 70-200 and "L" series, black bags, cables, umbrellas, etc. I black out any noticable logos on anything I buy, just my own quirk, haha katt

LOL I actually ordered my Bees in ugly colors so that no one would steal them. Who the heck wants a YELLOW or GREEN flash??? Well I don't really care and so that's what I ordered. No one has tried to steal them yet. I expect that if they did, they will bring them right back when they see what they got! LOL

[QUOTE=charlesu;275757​0]Yeah but you can get used pro gear in the same price range as new ABs. So now you're getting pro quality gear at bargain, entry level prices. Case in point, I got a mint condition Speedo Blackline set up with 3 heads, case, powerpack, etc. for $900. More power, more consistent color temp, etc. for similar or less money.

quote]

Since you have done this, how do you find used Pro equipment for sale? I'd be interested, but have no idea where to find used lighting.

Also, since you have both sets, do you know if an AB would fire another brand using the remote hotshoe sensor thing....? I have only one light and am ready to add more, and am wondering what limitations I may have if I try to mix and match.

[QUOTE=Kristy;2764329]

charlesu wrote in post #2757570
Yeah but you can get used pro gear in the same price range as new ABs. So now you're getting pro quality gear at bargain, entry level prices. Case in point, I got a mint condition Speedo Blackline set up with 3 heads, case, powerpack, etc. for $900. More power, more consistent color temp, etc. for similar or less money.

quote]

Since you have done this, how do you find used Pro equipment for sale? I'd be interested, but have no idea where to find used lighting.

Also, since you have both sets, do you know if an AB would fire another brand using the remote hotshoe sensor thing....? I have only one light and am ready to add more, and am wondering what limitations I may have if I try to mix and match.

I'm a big believer in buying used and am fortunate enough to have several camera shops close by that deal in used gear. I've bought tons of lighting gear that way--but always after testing it and getting at least a limited 30 or 60 day warranty.

Of course, you can always get used gear online. There's a marketplace here on POTN as well as other forums, ebay and the big NY camera shops. Just be careful.

Most strobe systems have an optical slave sensor and will trigger off of another flash. Or you can connect them via IR or radio (better) slaves.

Hey Kristy, It might be a bit af a drive for you, but tempe camera has an OK supply of used gear.

B&H has used equipment. Sometimes there are very good prices there and they have an excellent rating system that is usually conservative.

michael88 wrote in post #2765991
Hey Kristy, It might be a bit af a drive for you, but tempe camera has an OK supply of used gear.

[QUOTE=charlesu;276545​7]

Kristy wrote in post #2764329
I'm a big believer in buying used and am fortunate enough to have several camera shops close by that deal in used gear. I've bought tons of lighting gear that way--but always after testing it and getting at least a limited 30 or 60 day warranty.

Of course, you can always get used gear online. There's a marketplace here on POTN as well as other forums, ebay and the big NY camera shops. Just be careful.

Most strobe systems have an optical slave sensor and will trigger off of another flash. Or you can connect them via IR or radio (better) slaves.

TMR Design wrote in post #2766015
B&H has used equipment. Sometimes there are very good prices there and they have an excellent rating system that is usually conservative.

Great information guys! I'll have to check out Tempe Camera. I usually stop in at PhotoMark because it is closer to me (But still a drive), and they don't have much to offer in the line of used.

I'd love to buy at least 2 more strobes soon, and was thinking maybe I could find something inexpensive that would work with my AB. I really want to have a fill light, and a background light would be nice because I'm ready to try doing something in a "high-key" look.

Happy Day and thanks for the advice.... (Sorry to interrupt the OP's topic)

StealthLude wrote in post #2748523
If you have the money to blow on pro gear, I would give serious consideration to Speedotron lights, they are built like tanks....

Personally I would take Elinchrom over profoto, but thats just me. I think they have a much better product, expecially their digital monoblocks. Drool.

Ive seen people with DYI and....

wow, thanks! i'll have to go check elinchrom a bit more (geez i was only asking about powerpacks lol)

and.......what's "dyi"?