Question regarding Alien Bees soft box and accessories

I finally got the go-ahead to buy some lights and I have choosen Alien Bees over the Genesis and Elincrome d-Lite systems. I am hoping to get the input of other Alien Bee users regarding the accessories. Alien Bees has two difffernt soft boxes regular and folding. Should I get either of those or some other third party brand? How about any other recomendations for any other accessories or must-have items? I know I could ask this on the Alien Bee website but I think the answer would be biased and besides, I love going through this site and picking up tidbits here and there.

- System (2 or 3 AB800) will mainly be used to shoot portriats.

If you're wondering about light stands, this thread might be of interest.
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=402167

Curtis N wrote in post #5656436
If you're wondering about light stands, this thread might be of interest.
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=402167

This is just the type of info I am trying to get. Thanks, Curtis N. Any other thoughts?

if i could do it all over again i would start with two lights, a shoot through umbrella, a 30 degree grid and a reflector. this can do just about anything.

ON the actual question of softboxes, if you're going to choose between the regular and folding - get the folding - they go up quicker and you can get the grids for them.

Suyen's right about the other stuff though - I didn't realize how important grids were until I started using studio lights.

There's a huge price difference between umbrellas and softboxes - but they both soften the light - you just get better control with a softbox. So they aren't THAT different. Spend your money on umbrellas first and get grids. You can always get the Softboxes later.

^ Speedy's right. I'd try umbrellas of different sorts first or even a Softlighter or two. Quick, easy setup and do a great job of softening light. When you start getting into more complicated setups especially in limited space (studio) you'll find the softboxes will give you better control through the use of grids. But the costs will start adding up (softbox, grid or two, speedring, boom arm, etc.).

Alien Bees makes decent lights for the money, but their accessories are... Cheap. Amvona also offers some low cost stuff. Photoflex is a jump up the food chain.

I have the 24X36 foldable box and the 30X40, and I have to say the 30X40 is much easier to re-open and set up because the fabric is heavier and the frame doesn't get tangled like the smaller one. I have some large shoot through umbrellas, but there's so much spill that I prefer to go with boxes most of the time. The light wraps more with a round source, but that's the only advantage I see for certain shots with an umbrella.

I'd go with the foldable stuff. I have the large foldable octobox and it couldn't be easier to set up. I also have the standard large softbox which involves more effort to assemble. If you're looking for other brands of modifiers, the Photoflex stuff is pretty good, but it's more expensive and doesn't come with a speedring so you'll need to purchase a AB speedring. I have the 15x55 Photoflex strip box and have no complaints about it, other than wishing it was foldable.

Just keep in mind that everything gets more expensive once you start looking outside of the AB accessory family.

Just my $.02

Piano Man wrote in post #5656235
I finally got the go-ahead to buy some lights and I have choosen Alien Bees over the Genesis and Elincrome d-Lite systems.

Have you looked at the Calumet Travelite system? I recently made bought a couple of Travelites and love em, granted I'm still learning. I considered Alien Bee but after searching many forums, I found lots of people complaining about the inconsistency of the lights and the quality of accessories, similar to the couple of posts in this thread. If you are buying "two or three AB800" consider spending a couple hundred more and buying a product with an excellent reputation.

"How about any other recomendations for any other accessories or must-have items?"

Take a look at this kit, it comes with two 750 w/s, a 375 w/s, a softbox, two umbrellas and a snoot for $1699.99USD.

Grids, folding softbox, umbrellas, and stands. I am looking into the Alien Bee wireless remote trigger. It is due at the end of the month. I figure I can get the transmitter and receiver for less that one Pocket Wizzard. I will also be getting the Sekonic L358 from Adorama (free shipping). I already have a backdrop and stand. I have a couple of lighting books that I have been reading and a little girl for posing. When she gets tired, I will use either her mother or a three foot Dora doll.

Is there anything else I should get while I have the green light and the funds? (I ended up making two really good/lucky stock trades and I am finally "treating myself".)

-Calumet = too expensive, 1, I am trying to stretch my money, 2) I am just expanding into a new area of photography.

Piano Man wrote in post #5668688
Grids, folding softbox, umbrellas, and stands. I am looking into the Alien Bee wireless remote trigger. It is due at the end of the month. I figure I can get the transmitter and receiver for less that one Pocket Wizzard. I will also be getting the Sekonic L358 from Adorama (free shipping). I already have a backdrop and stand. I have a couple of lighting books that I have been reading and a little girl for posing. When she gets tired, I will use either her mother or a three foot Dora doll.

Is there anything else I should get while I have the green light and the funds? (I ended up making two really good/lucky stock trades and I am finally "treating myself".)

-Calumet = too expensive, 1, I am trying to stretch my money, 2) I am just expanding into a new area of photography.

If you are getting the Sekonic 358 it has a module that communicates with Pocket Wizards. Don't try to save here and go with the AB triggers as it is not only a much lesser system but will require you to have a wire running from your 358 to your strobes to take meter readings.

As for stands, look at the air cushioned Impact stands at B&H- the best value for your money today.

Softboxes/Octoboxes- Go with Photoflex. They are well built, and reasonably priced for what you are getting.

The only accessories that I think make sense to purchase from Paul Buff, Inc. are the set of grids if you are using ABs.

RichNY wrote in post #5668872
If you are getting the Sekonic 358 it has a module that communicates with Pocket Wizards. Don't try to save here and go with the AB triggers as it is not only a much lesser system but will require you to have a wire running from your 358 to your strobes to take meter readings.

Bull.

The cordless flash mode, available on all the Sekonic meters, is a handy and convenient option for those using alternative radio systems. Push the button on the meter, push the test button on your transmitter (whatever the brand) and you have a reading. Sure, it takes two hands. But it ain't rocket surgery.

PocketWizards are the reliability standard. But for those considering other systems, the lack of a Sekonic module that talks the same language is hardly a deal-breaker.

Curtis N wrote in post #5669013
Bull.

The cordless flash mode, available on all the Sekonic meters, is a handy and convenient option for those using alternative radio systems. Push the button on the meter, push the test button on your transmitter (whatever the brand) and you have a reading. Sure, it takes two hands. But it ain't rocket surgery.

PocketWizards are the reliability standard. But for those considering other systems, the lack of a Sekonic module that talks the same language is hardly a deal-breaker.

Curtis- You are definitely right about being able to avoid a wired solution with the approach you posted- I wasn't thinking of that.

I will also get a set of gels. I use the ones from AB so you need to have AB lightmod frame. Another option is what Robert showed in his thread.

AB CyberSync look pretty good. I am also waiting for the wireless receiver.

Curtis N wrote in post #5669013
The cordless flash mode...

That's what I use on my lowly 308 and eBay radio triggers. Works well enough to save the expense on both meter and triggers. I can always do it single handed via a PC sync cord, but I'd rather have the cordless freedom.