Alien Bees Users Check In (2)

Just signed up for the forum. Here's some of my most recent work

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …ahaohmichael/10​128327876/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …ahaohmichael/10​128387043/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …hahaohmichael/8​737949409/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …ahaohmichael/10​197219054/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …hahaohmichael/9​609654236/

ab800 w/ 7 inch reflector

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/pelting/1021163​5586/

So, I am torn and looking for some help deciding.

Things I shoot:

Weddings
Single person portraits in the studio and outdoors
Band promos and live concerts( saw someone set up to of these next to the stage one time and walked around without having to be near the bands)

Camera/lenses:
Canon 6D
50mm 1.4 canon
17-40mm Canon L
85mm 1.8 Canon
Canon 430ex II


in the next day or two I want to buy a single strobe set up ( will buy the other in a couple weeks when I can afford it ;P)


So far my thoughts are
AB800 + cybersync trigger transmitter/receiver
AB1600 + cybersync trigger transmitter/receiver
Einstein + cybersync trigger transmitter/receiver
AB800 + cybersync commander

Not sure if I really want the commander yet.

I want to keep it cheap as possible for now and I figured next purchase will be my main light?
and I will always be able to plug these into a wall outlet btw.


I also just want to make sure that one will be enough and that I won't regret buying an 800 when a 1600 is really what I needed at a minimum?

Any advice would be awesome.

http://fortitude.me/fo​rty-winters-show/
is a sample of what I shoot, but this was with my speedlite in my hand and camera in the other with a wide angle, I would like to be able to walk around and shoot with my 50mm and strobe/strobes
That way I don't have to be super close.

Nick Aufiero wrote in post #16365369
So, I am torn and looking for some help deciding.

Things I shoot:

Weddings
Single person portraits in the studio and outdoors
Band promos and live concerts( saw someone set up to of these next to the stage one time and walked around without having to be near the bands)

Camera/lenses:
Canon 6D
50mm 1.4 canon
17-40mm Canon L
85mm 1.8 Canon
Canon 430ex II


in the next day or two I want to buy a single strobe set up ( will buy the other in a couple weeks when I can afford it ;P)


So far my thoughts are
AB800 + cybersync trigger transmitter/receiver
AB1600 + cybersync trigger transmitter/receiver
Einstein + cybersync trigger transmitter/receiver
AB800 + cybersync commander

Not sure if I really want the commander yet.

I want to keep it cheap as possible for now and I figured next purchase will be my main light?
and I will always be able to plug these into a wall outlet btw.


I also just want to make sure that one will be enough and that I won't regret buying an 800 when a 1600 is really what I needed at a minimum?

Any advice would be awesome.

http://fortitude.me/fo​rty-winters-show/
is a sample of what I shoot, but this was with my speedlite in my hand and camera in the other with a wide angle, I would like to be able to walk around and shoot with my 50mm and strobe/strobes
That way I don't have to be super close.

If you are going for a single light and you can stretch the budget get the Einstein. Skip the commander for now. Be happy.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16365382
If you are going for a single light and you can stretch the budget get the Einstein. Skip the commander for now. Be happy.

Well, as I said I will be getting another light to make it a two light set up (on top of having 1-2 430exII speedlites I have laying around as well if I can find a way to use those wirelessly with this set up)

Nick Aufiero wrote in post #16365391
Well, as I said I will be getting another light to make it a two light set up (on top of having 1-2 430exII speedlites I have laying around as well if I can find a way to use those wirelessly with this set up)

I suggest getting the b1600. It's the light I bought first. There have been times when I've used it at full power due to the strong sunlight (wedding couple wanted photos at a certain location, high noon, direct sunlight, couldn't help it). I was glad I got the 1600 at these unexpected times. RARELY do I ever encounter a situation where the b1600 was "too powerful" at minimum power. Only time that ever happened was at a client's house, tiny tiny tiny room. Couldn't move light back at all. Luckily I have a neutral density filter to cut down the light and make it useable. I eventually bought 2 b800s afterwards for rim light, fill light, etc... but the b1600 is always my go-to light.

As for triggers, I highly suggest the cactus v5. It's $35 each, so dirt cheap compared to pocket wizards. Never failed me once. Range is ridiculously good. Only problem is it won't allow control of the bee power from the trigger. YOu need to manually walk to the light and adjust the power yourself.. but it's never been a problem for me as I usually have an assistant holding the light and adjusting power.

king. wrote in post #16361470
Just signed up for the forum. Here's some of my most recent work

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …ahaohmichael/10​128327876/
Andrea 5 by Michael Fornataro Photography, on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …ahaohmichael/10​128387043/
Andrea 10 by Michael Fornataro Photography, on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …hahaohmichael/8​737949409/
Jessica Diptic by Michael Fornataro Photography, on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …ahaohmichael/10​197219054/
Ads 6 by Michael Fornataro Photography, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com …hahaohmichael/9​609654236/
sav by Michael Fornataro Photography, on Flickr

Great work man!

I have ABs & Einsteins, get the Einsteins if you can. The cybersync system is super, money well spent in my opinion.

Next question.


If I am gonna be triggering 2 alien bees and eventually I may slave in Speed lites, what are the best wireless units to get?

I was gonna do the cybersync series by PCB but I can't find them used so, I figured I'd ask before I dished out that much cash!

Having remote control of the Einsteins for power adjustment during a concert is huge.

Cyber Sync is only reasonable approach with Buff equipment since it offers remote power control even with older AB light.

Best to spend time thinking about what lighting kit you will want when done, then work on getting it a piece at a time.

It won't take you long, probably one session to realize the speedlites are not intended to work with moonlights. Perhaps at a wedding reception, but not for the other shooting you do.

dmward wrote in post #16367224
Having remote control of the Einsteins for power adjustment during a concert is huge.

Cyber Sync is only reasonable approach with Buff equipment since it offers remote power control even with older AB light.

Best to spend time thinking about what lighting kit you will want when done, then work on getting it a piece at a time.

It won't take you long, probably one session to realize the speedlites are not intended to work with moonlights. Perhaps at a wedding reception, but not for the other shooting you do.

Well someone has 2x ab400s and a whole bunch of brand new equip for $350 down the road for me, so I am picking those up today.
They will be my main lights for smaller shooting for now, and then I plan on getting 1 Einstein as a main and using the 400s as secondaries

So, with that being said, I figured I would use the PCB Trigger and receivers since I can use those with all of his equip and I can get an adapter to use them with my speedlite
I just didn't know if there was newer technology that was better/ more cost efficient

Next question, How well does the built in sync function work on the AB series?

Was thinking about buying the PCB transmitter and two receivers tonight but, if they work well enough to not need them

but then I figured at live shows I would probably need them for each thing huh?

Nick Aufiero wrote in post #16367396
So, with that being said, I figured I would use the PCB Trigger and receivers since I can use those with all of his equip and I can get an adapter to use them with my speedlite
I just didn't know if there was newer technology that was better/ more cost efficient

This will work. Flash Zebra has some hot shoe adapters with plugs for the Cyber Syncs.

Nick Aufiero wrote in post #16367396
Next question, How well does the built in sync function work on the AB series?

The optical triggers work fine. The risk is if there is too much light or if there are other flashes going off.

Nick Aufiero wrote in post #16367396
Was thinking about buying the PCB transmitter and two receivers tonight but, if they work well enough to not need them

Receiver per unit is best approach. Trigger is nice and small easy to use.

Nick Aufiero wrote in post #16367396
but then I figured at live shows I would probably need them for each thing huh?

For live shows receiver per, and ideally the Commander to permit changing power with the lights up and in place. Especially useful if you want to use the strobes along with the ambient.