Strobe with fast flash duration

What other strobes would you recommend besides Alien Bees for a fast flash duration. Nothing against the Bees, just wanted to look for other options. I'm going to be using them for both basketball and studio portraits.

Elinchrom have the Quadra RX and Ranger RX packs that have a fast duration. I think Profoto have a few as well but if you're looking at Bees you probably aren't looking at Profoto..

what is the problem using bees for basketball? What ss do you need? BTW - Why not start with hot shoe flashes for basket ball?

bobbyz wrote in post #11466140
what is the problem using bees for basketball? What ss do you need? BTW - Why not start with hot shoe flashes for basket ball?

There isn't anything wrong with the bees. I was just looking to see if there was a better option before I make the purchase.

I'm already using two speedlights. Its not enough in some gyms.

ABs are probably the fastest in their price segment.

Ranger...you're looking at probably $1600-2000 for a two head system?
if you want heavy and possibly less expensive, old 2400ws speedo packs on lowest power w/ a quad tube quad wire head...that's what they used in the old days before the Ranger packs in sports stadiums

As has been said before, the bees are probably the best for flash duration in this price segment. There may be some Einstein knock-offs (with the same flash quenching technology) coming from China soon, but who knows how well and reliably they will work...

The IGBT circuitry is what gives Speedlites and Einsteins shorter flash duration as the power is reduced.
Variable voltage circuitry, common with most current strobes, both mono and pack, the flash duration increases as the power is reduced.

There may be one or two really high end pack strobes that also use the IGBT circuitry.

For the rest of use there are speedlites and Einsteins.

Lower powered lights firing at close to full power will be better than more powerful lights dialed down if short flash duration is a requirement.

I think most companies have full power flash duration listed in the spec. Some may have lower power duration.

Finding independent tests that determine the reduced power duration may be difficult.

PCB has some comparisons on the Einstein web pages that he claims were determined by testing or manufacturer data sheets. It would be wise to validate as much of it as possible. That may help you determine if the data is reasonably accurate.