Alien Bees users check in!

Hi all,

After extensive searching of the forums, I could not find a thread on just Alien Bee users. So here we go!!

I have 2 B1600's and a B800 for backlighting/rim lighting. I use 2 Photek Softlighter II umbrellas. One 60" for my main light light, and a 46" for fill. And use the B800 with a 30° Honeycomb grid for a hair light. I love the consistent light output and solid build quality of the monolights. My only issue is that all the accessories are propriteary, and you have to buy AB made softboxes, etc. from them.

Just want to hear from AB users what they think about the lights.

I just bought a boat load of Alien Bees stuff. Check my sig to see all the money I blew... Stuff just arrived and no formal shooting yet. did some test shots just to make sure it all works. The giant umbrella softbox was damaged so when I called today they were super quick to take care of me and are sending out a new one with a call tag for the broken one. I'm pretty stoked on my experience so far!

I know many guys that are using them and the simplicity of the site, customer service, all the modifiers etc made it a no brainer for me. I'm going to use them for stuff that I drive to and can spend time with set-ups/specific shoots.

When I fly somewhere or need to do quick and light, or move around I'll be using the qflashes.

I will be purchasing some bees very shortly. I am very excited.

AxxisPhoto wrote in post #7113116
Hi all,

My only issue is that all the accessories are propriteary, and you have to buy AB made softboxes, etc. from them.

Don't know what you mean that you have to buy AB softboxes for AB lights. You can buy any softbox as long as you got the right speedring. I am using photoflex medium SB and photoflex 5' octodome with my AB800s. I also got AB strip box for use with AB400.

If you dig old post from Robert (TMR) he shows how to use lowel accesories like barn doors etc with AB lights.

AxxisPhoto wrote in post #7113116
My only issue is that all the accessories are propriteary

I have found that AB lights are the easiest to adapt to almost any softbox, they have a simple spring loaded gizmo that you just squeeze closed and let go once you put the softbox in place, it releases and holds the softbox in place, very simple. I use it with snoots etc.

I have been using couple Bees for few years. Nothing fancy but provides what I need reliably. I like they have the remote capability build in and work well with portable power pack. I added the Lite Mod, gel and grid set, don't own any AB softbox but use Photoflex and Amvona boxes in various sizes.

I don't have the color inconsistency problem. Partly because I rarely turn the power below 1/16. (Forget about f1.4, it's hard to keep both eyes in focus with 2.8 with my 5D.) Also I always shoot RAW and PP every keeper individually, including adjusting WB for best skin tone.

Always hear about their good customer services, have not call them once yet because of product failures.

So their strobes fire eveytime I ask, the accessories are resonantly priced, and my experience with them has been very positive.

I love my bees...simple

I own two AB800's along with a shoot thru umbrella that has a black cover and a silver umbrella.

I love my Alienbee's I can't wait to get a vagabond though. Really want to start doing on location shoots.

Edit/ By the way I am doing a 365 day project using my alienbees and other strobes link is in sig if anyone is curious

i just got my 2nd B800
i use them with two 4ft octaboxes

Looks like the start of an AB CJ

Love my Bees! Their customer service is outstanding!!!

I just got 2 AB800's along with a bunch of accessories last week. Haven't used them yet other than to test everything to make sure it's working. So far so good though, am planning to play with them further today.

BCRose wrote in post #7114920
I have found that AB lights are the easiest to adapt to almost any softbox, they have a simple spring loaded gizmo that you just squeeze closed and let go once you put the softbox in place, it releases and holds the softbox in place, very simple. I use it with snoots etc.

Hmm... I never even tried any other light modifier company on my Bees! There are some profoto strip boxes I would love to have.

Oh yeah, almost forgot about AB's stellar customer service.

I love my bees also. They are so easy to use and I'm a beginner. The owner of the bees also owens White Lighting.

neil_r wrote in post #7116084
Looks like the start of an AB CJ

I promise this one is different from L lover club. We actually shoot pictures with them rather than shooting picture of them