Stupid Question: 580EX II off shoe vs Alien Bees B800

gonzogolf wrote in post #9797831
Keep in mind that its more than just a power difference. A hotshoe flash is a focused lens. The canon is capable of zooming in and out, but has a limit of spread on the wide end. The Alien bee is a bare bulb studio flash, meaning the light is pretty much unrestrained without a modifier. This allows you to work with significantly larger softboxes, or the plm system. With a hotshoe flash any softbox bigger than about 28 inches and you begin to lose efficiency.

all benefits of a studio flash. Well said.

mrrod2001 wrote in post #9797579
Get both.
I got a 550ex from Ebay for $199 and calumet genesis 400 kit for about $275 on sale and cactus v4 triggers.

Are you sure it was the Genesis 400 kit for $275 and not the Genesis 200 kit?
I checked out the site and the 200 kit is right now $369 regular and the 400 is $619 regular...

$275 seems closer to a sale price for the Genesis 200 kit. Unless it was a hell of a sale?

if you don't already have a ex speedlight for your camera, get the speedlight. done deal.

ChrisMc73 wrote in post #9800067
Are you sure it was the Genesis 400 kit for $275 and not the Genesis 200 kit?
I checked out the site and the 200 kit is right now $369 regular and the 400 is $619 regular...

$275 seems closer to a sale price for the Genesis 200 kit. Unless it was a hell of a sale?

It could have been the 400 Ws 1-light kit when it was on sale a while back.

http://www.calumetphot​o.com/item/CF0514K/

lazer-jock wrote in post #9801644
It could have been the 400 Ws 1-light kit when it was on sale a while back.

http://www.calumetphot​o.com/item/CF0514K/

Ah yes, it could have been a one light set up rather than a two light setup. Not sure why I was thinking two lights?
One light makes a lot more sense.

It was a 2 lite set up.....but i went in halves with a friend for around $550 and we each got a 1 lite setup. The last sale we did the same thing with the genesis 200 2 lite kit, it was around $299 so we each got 1 lite for around $160 after tax. They seem to be good lights.

mrrod2001 wrote in post #9803460
It was a 2 lite set up.....but i went in halves with a friend for around $550 and we each got a 1 lite setup. The last sale we did the same thing with the genesis 200 2 lite kit, it was around $299 so we each got 1 lite for around $160 after tax. They seem to be good lights.

Seem to be? How long have you had them? Do you have any sample shots you can share that were taken using them? I'm curious how these compare to some of the others in the same price range?

The question you asked was very broad.
You should think about how you shoot, and what you plan to shoot.

The main differences that you should consider are:

Weight/space
Functions
Power


I would check out zach arias if you havent already, specifically this post

With the AB, you are paying for the power. The 580exII has a lot more function, is small and compact, and can work as a master for a wireless setup. With the AB you can do as Zach did, and get a huge Octo and overpower the sun at high noon.

Things to consider.

Hi all, thanks for your replies.

C-Riv,
thanks for the link.

I plan on doing indoor portraits, and outdoors. I think right now, I will just get the 580EX II, and save money for the B800 and vagabond II.

The 580EX is still powerful while giving me the versatility of portability. I will just have to wait and save for the B800.

C_Riv wrote in post #9805618
The question you asked was very broad.
You should think about how you shoot, and what you plan to shoot.

The main differences that you should consider are:

Weight/space
Functions
Power


I would check out zach arias if you havent already, specifically this post

With the AB, you are paying for the power. The 580exII has a lot more function, is small and compact, and can work as a master for a wireless setup. With the AB you can do as Zach did, and get a huge Octo and overpower the sun at high noon.

Things to consider.

Sounds like your mind is made up. For the last few months, I have been dragging two AB 1600's around along with all of the associated gear to make them work. No Vagabond though, just extension cords for use in high school gyms and arenas.

I didn't do the math, but it seems to me that you could buy several Canon 540EZ speedllights, or Sigma EF 500 or 530 DG Super or Vivitar 285 and light stands, umbrella adapters, hot shoe adapters and Cybersyncs and wind up with a lot more adjustable light set up than just one 580EX II. Off camera, you don't need all the features of the 580, just a flash with some power that can be triggered with wireless triggers/receivers.

If you like, check out my thread about my experience this year with the AB 1600's.
Good luck.
Mike

I think rather than the cost, best to think about what you want to acheive. I agree that the 580 is a good first step. But if you are serious about shooting portraits indoors the AB800 takes you to another level of lighting posibilities. I love my 580, but there is no comparison in my portrait work since taking the plunge and getting the 800's. My 580 still gets a lot of use, but the 800's are my clear preference for main light in the studio. Really depends on what you want to acheive.

Player9 wrote in post #9796987
The B800 is significantly more powerful, significantly more flexible in using lighting modifiers, and significantly less expensive.

The 580ex is significantly more portable.

What are you trying to do with your lighting?

Yup, pretty much it.

Siriusmuzik wrote in post #9817111
Hi all, thanks for your replies.

C-Riv,
thanks for the link.

I plan on doing indoor portraits, and outdoors. I think right now, I will just get the 580EX II, and save money for the B800 and vagabond II.

The 580EX is still powerful while giving me the versatility of portability. I will just have to wait and save for the B800.

I think you're making a good choice. I started off like you, with "just" a 580 EX II, and learned to shoot off-camera flash with it and a few Vivitars (you'll need to invest in some radio triggers, I recommend Cybersyncs). Add an umbrella, adapter, stand, and you're good to go for a while. For outdoor use, you'll need to use weights, and maybe later on consider a portable softbox (I've heard the Qbox is a nice one for speedlights; I have an Ezybox but that thing is kind of pricey). Later on, if you find your photography is needing more juice in the lighting department, then look into the Bees; you'll still have a great speedlight which will be useful in situations where you have to do on-camera flash. Just my $0.02.

You could also pick up a 580EX II for around 350 bones if you don't mind getting it used.

c2thew wrote in post #9801199
if you don't already have a ex speedlight for your camera, get the speedlight. done deal.

+1

I couldn't imagine living with out at least one shoe mounted flash. I'd think that a) it's a ESSENTIAL part of kit.

b) more versatile, can be used either off camera, on the shoe, on a bracket... i.e. you can't mount an AB800 on the camera.


I use mine for everything, if I only have the gear bag, and not my lighting bag.