Alienbee B400 Heads for Studio Only

I am looking into getting 2-3 more AB's and stands so I can leave them in the studio full time. Currently I'm having to lug around 3 strobes (B800s) to location shoots, weddings, etc.

My question is if I get 3-B400's to keep in the studio would that be sufficient power. I've only ever owned the B800s and have never used the lower powered strobes. I typically do head to full body shots and small groups of up to 6 people.

You get one stop less light. You should consider a speedlite kit for location work.

tim wrote in post #9584660
You get one stop less light. You should consider a speedlite kit for location work.

I actually do have two 430ex's and one 1-580 exII along with 3 Cactus V4's, but have been hesitant to use them for sports team photography especially. I didn't think they would put out enough power. I also have the new PW Mini/TT setup but they are so unreliable as far as getting them to fire at very short ranges.

I guess I'll just keep my B's in the Studio and learn to use my Speedlites on location. I have used them on location but only for single subjects....never groups.

DD, I'm nowhere near where I want to be in my few years of learning about lighting, I'm just starting off and slowly building my portfolio. However I do own 2 ab400's and a 580EXII and I use this combo all the time in studio. One of the benefits is that if you want the shallow DOF look you can power down to its lowest setting and shoot fairly low. I've gotten to f3.5 with a shoot through umbrella and probably could get lower with other modifiers and gels. Also I recently got a silver HOBD beauty dish and using it gives the ab400's literally an extra 1 1/2 stops. I'm sure many AB800 users don't use full power all the time, probably usually at 1/2 or 3/4 the power.

Anyway, just my thoughts....but it can work.

Well, answering the question is easy. Do you usually shoot your AB800s at full power in the studio? Because if you do not, then the AB400s would be fine.

1/2 power on an AB800 is considered full power on an AB400.