Alien Bees ABR800's compatibility

I've been seriously considering to purchase the Alien Bees ringflash lately, yet I am quite worried. I'm new to photography so excuse me if I'm not as knowledgeable as you guys, but I need to check if the ABR800 is compatible with the Canon 350D (Rebel XT) - If not, does the camera require an adaptor to have the Sync chord plugged in?

Also another question, aside from a ring flash, anybody have an idea where to purchase cheap 430EX flashguns or any other alternative.

Thanks in advance

There's no problem using an ABR or any strobe with your 350D. Since the 350D does not have a sync jack you'll need one of these. The sync cable that comes with the ABR will connect the hot shoe adapter to the sync jack on the back of the ABR.
There are many different types of hot shoe adapters. The one I've shown has a cold shoe on top so you can not fire an on camera flash at the same time as the strobe. If you do think you want to do that then you might consider something like this, which gives you a sync port as well as a hot shoe. That hot shoe adapter will let you send sync or receive external sync to it's hot shoe.

Wow, thanks A LOT for this great amount of information
I'm really grateful

regarding the note you said whether I want a cold shoe or a hot one. I seriously don't know and I would like to know is it necessary at some times to fire the built in flash when you have it connected to an umbrella/ringflash or strobe?

I would really like to know, I'm on the verge of purchasing this great item. I would also like to know whether the ring's only powered by electricity or can be taken out in outdoor locations.


i like your coolest piece of gear! hehe

Hi omernos,

Whether you have a hot shoe or cold shoe on the hot shoe adapter does not come in to play with regard to the ring flash. I was just pointing out the different types of hot shoe adapters for you to see that depending on your needs you have a choice. Most often a cold shoe is fine but should you want to also use a flash on camera you can only do that if the shoe is hot. Please note, I am using the term 'on camera flash', not built in flash. As far as I'm concerned there is no reason to ever use the built in flash. I wish my 30D didn't even have the built in flash, like the 5D. On camera flash just means that you are using a flash unit mounted to the hot shoe of your camera.

As far as power goes, I don't have first hand experience with remote power but many people use the Alien Bees Vagabond system for portable power and I hear very good things about it. There are a few other makers of good portable power but off hand I don't know which they are.

Glad you like my coolest piece of gear.

Thanks again, I've purchased one and hopefully i'll be receiving it these days before the weekend.

Anyway, unfortunately I couldn't get to order the ring flash because:
1- I'm the UK, order by phone + must have US credit card (wtf?)
2- Customs might hold it and add more to the surcharge

so I'm now considering just purchasing a flash gun - the canon 430EX
but the thing is, I'm tempted to buy the ringflash adaptor. But I have a little question if you can help me:
Since the adaptor's not electrical, and it comes down to a matter of fitting. Wouldn't it be possible for it to fit on the 430EX since it can fit on the 580EX.

I really want to know, and again i'm so grateful for the amount of information you're giving me!