Which Alien Bees set-up should I start off with?

[carlosmiller]

I am a photojournalist who has only used flash or natural light in the past. Now

that I am moving into shooting weddings and models, I want to buy an Alien Bee

light set-up.<p>

 

My familiarity with these types of lights is nil. I basically want lights that I

can carry with me in the car for location shoots, whether it be a wedding or a

model shoot.<p>

 

So I know I definitely need to buy a <a

href="http://www.alienbees.com/battery.html">

Vagabond Portable Power system</a>.<p>

 

I am just not sure which of the <a

href="http://www.alienbees.com/packages.html">Alien Bee packages</a> I should

buy.<p>

 

My first inclination is buy the

<a href="

http://www.alienbees.com/digi.html">

Digital Bee</a>, but then I started reading a lot of good feedback on the <a

href="http://www.alienbees.com/ringbee.html">Ring Bee</a>, so now I'm wondering

if I should buy the Ring Bee along with the <a

href="http://www.alienbees.com/background.html">Background Bee</a>.<p>

 

Or should I just get the <a

href="http://www.alienbees.com/beginner.html">Beginning Bee</a> along with the

Background Bee?<p>

 

I want to spend the least amount of money, but I don't want to buy something,

then realize in the middle of a photo shoot that I should have purchased

something else. <p>

 

I know questions like this are asked a thousand times, but I'm hoping somebody

will see my needs and be able to help me make a decision. All suggestions will

be appreciated.

[ellis_vener_photography]

I'd start withAB 1600s. it is easy to find yourself i nthe middleo fa shoot wit hnot enough light and you can always dial them down. I would not start off with more than two heads.

 

Many people don't seem enamored with Alien Bees stands so You might want to look at Lowell KS stands or Bogen/Manfrotto stands.

 

You'll also need a flash meter and Sekonic is your best bet there. I also like the fact that many Sekonic flash meters now come with a 32 channel Pocketwizard trigger built in. Being a photojournalist you know about the importance of reliability and for that reason I think Pocketwizard is the way to go for wireless triggering of lights and cameras.

 

The only Alien Bees/White Lightning /Zeus Lighting modifiers I have experience with are the Moon Unit softboxes for the ABR800 and Zeus Ringmaster. Good light quality. I also like Chimera for softboxes (light quality, good materials and durable construction) and Photek Goodlighter II umbrellas.

[joshschutz]

i'm looking into getting some alien bees here soon. i was going to get the digi package with the ab1600's and the vagabond II. i will be using it for portraits as well as snowboarding photos. are the wireless triggers that unreliable. if i decide to go with the pw i'm going to end spending 800 on those alone. is it really worht it

[ellis_vener_photography]

I've never used the Alien Bees wireless system so I can't comment on how reliable or unreliable they are. I have years of experience with the LPA Design Pocketwizards (And before that Quantum /GVI Radio Slaves and before that Tekno Hawks) so I feel very comfortable commenting on their reliability.

[tammycravit]

<i>I'd start withAB 1600s. it is easy to find yourself i nthe middleo fa shoot wit hnot enough light and you can always dial them down. I would not start off with more than two heads.</i>

<p>

Be cautious, though -- you can only dial them down across an (I think) 5-stop range. So, depending on your needs, an AB 1600 dialed back as far as it goes might still be too much power. I know a few people who have complained that they wish they'd bought at least one AB 400 in addition to their higher-powered strobes. And enough people run into this issue that Alien Bees will actually "downgrade" the electronics of an AB 800/1600 to make them into AB 400s for $25.

<p>

If it was me, I'd probably buy the Digi Bee package with AB 1600s, and then buy one extra AB 400 head. But that depends on your budget.

<p>

Ring Flashes produce a very specific look that some people like, but that specific look is about all they do. So to me, a couple of strobes and a softbox/umbrella/etc. would be a lot more versatile. You can always add a ring flash later if you decide you need it.

<p>

-- Tammy

[d_g5]

man, go with the ab800 kit and then get the reflector.. .then get another ab800 later for background work. then later get the vagabond II power inverter for portability.

[uriah]

Alien Bee's are great for what they do. I own a few heads myself and really like their reliability. Add the pocketwizards to trigger them with and you're in for a great photoshoot. I may one day upgrade to a more professional level light. For now the bee's meet all my expectations.