Getting into Lighting (AB) what to purchase?

Looking into lighting and wanted to pick up a AB800.
What else would I need to get on the ground running?

I assume, I need a stand? softbox? carrying case/bag? etc?

A handheld light meter such as the Sekonic L-358 would be extremely useful, allowing you to avoid literally hours of experimentation to get your exposures correct under a variety of conditions.

Alien Bee's has a beginners package that pretty much covers your needs, but not to sway you either way, but have you considered using speedlights mounted to a stand and shot through an umbrella or a softbox?? this is a pretty economical way to get into lighting without spending a whole lot of money. I think buying AB's now to find out lighting isn't for you is an expensive choice.

Hope that helps

mkville wrote in post #10120171
Alien Bee's has a beginners package that pretty much covers your needs, but not to sway you either way, but have you considered using speedlights mounted to a stand and shot through an umbrella or a softbox?? this is a pretty economical way to get into lighting without spending a whole lot of money. I think buying AB's now to find out lighting isn't for you is an expensive choice.

Hope that helps

What I would do is to take a look at what's contained in that package and then go elsewhere for the stands and the umbrellas. Unless they've improved on the quality of the stands and the umbrellas in the package since I bought mine, you'd be better off (better quality and cheaper) getting them someplace else.

Intresting, so aside from the strobe the rest of the equipment is pretty much stock stuff then???

Good to know

Thanks

If you need a sekonic l358, let me know! I have one with everything except the original box.

Down_Shift wrote in post #10119989
Looking into lighting and wanted to pick up a AB800.
What else would I need to get on the ground running?

I assume, I need a stand? softbox? carrying case/bag? etc?

You will also need to consider how you will trigger the strobe. Wired, optical slave or rf triggers. Wireless rf is the best. Since you are going with ABs then Cybersyncs with the Cyber Commander would be a good choice. The cyber commander can also function as a light meter. Not the same as a Sekonic but a good tool to use with the ABs.

One big advantage using the Cyber Commander as a meter with an AB light and Cyber sync Plus receiver is ability to adjust power from the CC.

Down_Shift wrote in post #10119989
Looking into lighting and wanted to pick up a AB800.
What else would I need to get on the ground running?

I assume, I need a stand? softbox? carrying case/bag? etc?

Long shot, but do you go by the same handle on G35Driver?

Anyway, with the B800 I'd recommend the 13' stand (air cushioned or not, up to you - I prefer the air cushioned myself).

Softbox...as far as modifiers are concerned, what are you looking to do? Portraits? Full length, 3/4, half? This will contribute to the size you want. You may even want to look into octaboxes, too.

mkville wrote in post #10120171
Alien Bee's has a beginners package that pretty much covers your needs, but not to sway you either way, but have you considered using speedlights mounted to a stand and shot through an umbrella or a softbox?? this is a pretty economical way to get into lighting without spending a whole lot of money. I think buying AB's now to find out lighting isn't for you is an expensive choice.

Hope that helps

The problem with this is that it costs almost as much for this setup as it would for an Alien Bee. Plus a speed light only has about 1/10th the power and you have no modeling light.