Alien Bees recommendation

I am considering buying a set of Alien Bee strobes, but need clarification, I will get the Alien Bees B800 that is rated at 800 "effective ws" and 320 "true ws" power...

for comparision to other venders' strobes, do I use "true ws" or "effective ws"

I am considering buying two 800Bs with a 48" shoot thru umbrella and 48" reflective umbrella, and light stands.. I want this to be not only a starter setup but something that I won't outgrow too soon..

opinions?

Use True ws

Most vendors use true WS. By the way, I own 4 of the b800's. I'm quite happy with them. The recharge rate is great with the b800's. I'm going to add a couple b1600's to my collection as well as their vagabond battery pack. I've owned for over a year and have been very happy with them.

Regards,

Jim

thanks. do you think the B800s is powerful enough? I may just do portraits and couples, and the occasional family shot..

It's all going to depend on room size, distance from subject and and what aperture you want to shoot with. Another member had issues with the 800s being too powerful and he was using a double car garage.
http://www.photography​-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=47178

B800's

It's purely a matter of how you're going to use them. It's all of the items that canon_user808 mentioned as well as what modifiers you use. Softboxes really knock down the intensity of a strobe, thereby requiring you to work closer. I like the 800's refresh time (1 sec) though which in my mind makes up for the requirement to have the lights a little closer tot he subject than I'd like. Remember to get a flash meter. That's really an important tool. I use a Sekonic L-358 with great success. I think you'll be fine with the B800's and remember, you can always upgrade if you need to. I am getting the 1600's for location work where I have larger groups and greater distance. I may even look to something a little bigger which takes me away from Alien Bees as they top at the B1600 models.

Regards,

Jim

I use the 400s for portraits and to fill a reception hall and they are more than powerful enough.

-Nick

I have two 8oo's and one White Lighting 1600 units. The 800's is good enough for most portrait work. If you need additonal light use a reflector fill and the other light for hair or background. This is a cheaper way of starting a 3 light kit and it teaches you how to control light using reflectors.