Help me out here..

So I'm looking to expand my horizons of photography. I'm going to be applying to colleges soon so more diverse styles of photography is great. So on to my question... I'm looking at the Alien Bee's stuff...I can get a discount on it...great.... I can't decide if I should get the "beginner bee" package with one B1600 and the other stuff it comes with....or get a Ringflash and moon unit? Any input? What do you think would be a better investment and why?

anyone =]

What type of photography are you shooting?

Some say its good to start off using one light and a reflector and grow from there.

Others might tell you, you need at least three.

The ring unit is one dimensional some may say (i.e. look can get boring fast)

Depending on your space and need to overpower the sun (for location work) the 1600 could be too powerful (light output isnt as constant at the lower end or so I have read)

It all depends on the look and type of lighting you are going for.

A little more about what you plan to shoot would help others help you a little more.

You may even find your answer HERE in this sticky, as several topics are detailed.

Hope this help you out some

Scott, I think that the above advice is pretty good already.

1 Light plus reflector would be the minimum, and you can surely learn to get all of the AlienBee's potential. Even if you have a regular camera flash, you can help add options as well.

2 Lights works great for me, and a canon flash for the camera helps equalize things. I also use a reflector.

There are out there 5000Gigawatts per second 32-light systems (I hope you get the idea) and many are often going to recommend you get the most lights and most expensive setup.

Truth is -at least for me- having had a 10,20,30,40D before I owned a 1D truly helped me to increase on my knowledge of digital photography. Had I bought a 1D to begin with, I would have saved money (perhaps), though the learning curve would have been way too steep to learn 100% of the camera's potential.

And so with lights, it is the same. I see nothing wrong starting small. Specially AlienBees, as you can grow and upgrade when your needs start to change, shift, or take new shape.

Best of luck.

Thanks. I like the ringlight look alot. I plan to do a lot of people shooting, and for me, i think having a ringlight would make it "sort of" unique. Atleast with that look. I'm thinking more towards the ring flash but i'm not sure..

The ring-light look is getting played out, used in situations that it shouldn't be. Pretty gimmicky, like extreme tone-mapping HDR. I'm guessing that it won't be long before it has run its course. It's great for some applications, but will get tiresome if you use it for every shot that you need lighting for.

With that said, why not get both a Beginner Bee and a RingBee set? That way you have both options.

Haha if only I had THAT Much money to spend.....just bought a new body, so i'm low on funds for now.

Can anyone post a link or a pic of what you are referring to as a ringlight?

All that comes to mind is the typical Macro Flash.

Thx.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I figured that someone with over $40,000 worth of gear could spare an extra $400-450 for the Beginner Bee, on top of the ABR800.

PhotoJourno wrote in post #6039539
Can anyone post a link or a pic of what you are referring to as a ringlight?

All that comes to mind is the typical Macro Flash.

Thx.

http://www.alienbees.c​om/abr800.html

not to pick on you, but do you really need 4 bodies??

i would get two lights if possible, if not then get one good quality light.
If you have two lights you can simulate a ring flash pretty well by clam shelling them. You wont get the rings of light in eye but you will still get quality light.

edit:
Looking at your gear and seeing you have a two speed lights why not invest in 3 PW's and just use those speed lights on some stands. You get two stands and a few modifiers and your not really out that much (granted you may have to buy PW's, but you could just use a corded option instead)

DDCSD wrote in post #6039559
Please don't take this the wrong way, but I figured that someone with over $40,000 worth of gear could spare an extra $400-450 for the Beginner Bee, on top of the ABR800.

Yes one can figure. But you're wrong....

holrd wrote in post #6039589
not to pick on you, but do you really need 4 bodies??

i would get two lights if possible, if not then get one good quality light.
If you have two lights you can simulate a ring flash pretty well by clam shelling them. You wont get the rings of light in eye but you will still get quality light.

edit:
Looking at your gear and seeing you have a two speed lights why not invest in 3 PW's and just use those speed lights on some stands. You get two stands and a few modifiers and your not really out that much (granted you may have to buy PW's, but you could just use a corded option instead)

True i do have two speedlights. I'd like more powerful stuff... so maybe i'll get to AB800's...are those typically good enough to over power the sun?

scotteisenphotography wrote in post #6039627
......so maybe i'll get to AB800's...are those typically good enough to over power the sun?

Outdoors, I would choose the B1600's. Even they might not be enough to "overpower" the sun in some circumstances. What sort of situations (distances from lights to subjects, lighting styles, etc.) do you anticipate using the lights in?

You cannot forget that the AlienBees lights - as well as most other studio style lighting - are AC powered. You'll need one of: 1) nearby AC power and extension cords or 2) a good quality portable generator or 3) a good quality battery/inverter package to power the lights outside. Options 2 and 3 are not cheap.

I concur with the opinions that the ring flash results are often less than pleasing.

alright...i have 2 generators... but i'm talking about..not harsh midday light..but maybe an hour or two after it... the lights don't have to be very far...i'll be able to get pretty close...i'm not sure why i wouldn't