I totally agree with you. It's looking like Kacey really is the only company that makes specifically what I'm looking for but then again I wasn't really expecting to come across tons of products for what is probably a very small user group. Most of the people who can afford this setup w/ the beauty dish can easily afford to do the same thing with studio strobes instead of speedlights. The main draw for me to find some kind of setup like this is because I already have several speedlights but can't afford legit studio strobes at this point in my career.
For example, the bracket and beauty dish from Kacey would cost me $340 shipped. For $20 more I could buy an AB800 and the AB High Output beauty dish. Soooo it's just not justifiable to my budget.
Kyle it sounds like you are taking the time to research your current and future needs.
If you are looking to go with the AB dish I would suggest the discontinued White dish. It is of much higher quality than the new HO dish. The HO dish will also put out a harder and more specular light than the old model. I'm sure you are aware to get true BD effect the dish must be fairly close to the subject. Pairing it with a AB 800 at less than four feet be you will most likely want to power the AB to the lower end of it's power range. This can be one of the limitations of AB flashes and many photographer have issues when doing this. They operate much better at mid to full power. Another thing you will want to purchase is a boom arm or adapt some kind of swivel bracket to allow the AB dish to tilt down on a light stand. It will not tilt to a workable elevation right out of the box. Then comes the power restrictions...... Do you only plan to shoot in your studio? If not add a Vagabond into the purchase price above, so you wont be tethered to a extension cord. You may be aware of this, but just pointing this for the benefit of others that might not.
Our dish can work with studio flashes too. I use our dish and a AB 400/Vagabond often and it works well.(Here) is a short video photographer Bill Millios made demoing using Speedlights/AB's and how easy you can switch between the two.
If I can answer and questions about our products feel free to contact me anytime.
