ddavid

Wick,

Which D4 pack are you using on the 2000i? I'm assuming the 1200 because of the 13.3

Amp requirement...

David

I'd just run some tests and see what you get, kind of like doing densitometer tests back in

the day. Just don't look at the histogram until you are in your RAW converter and then look at

the point where the highlights actually become unrecoverable. Adjust your workflow/

technique/calibration to reflect your findings. Let us know what you decide.

I don't have either but I have heard great things about Alien Bees service as well. It seems

everyone has taken advantage of Alien Bees great service too.

Simply put, the difference is 1200 watt seconds.

1 head in socket A with A+B is 2400 Ws. and with A<>B is 1200 Ws. You can then go down

to 1/2 (600 Ws) or 1/4 (300 Ws) After that, you need to adjust your lights lower using the

bracket dial (down to 75 Ws)

In the manual it explains that you can combine or isolate A and B. Group A has 1 flash

head socket and Group B has 2.

Here is an excerpt from the manual:

One head

1. Connect the head to socket A.

2. Reduce the energy one f-stop by switching A+B / A<- >B

switch to position A<- >B.

3. Further reduce the energy one or two f-stops by halving or

quartering the energy with the A-switch.

4. Use the dial BRACKET for fine adjustments and to further

reduce the energy by two f-stops.

Two heads

Symmetrical light distribution

1. Connect the two heads to the B sockets.

2. Reduce the energy one f-stop by switching A+B / A< -> B

switch to position A<- >B.

3. Further reduce the energy one or two f-stops by halving or

quartering the energy with the B-switch.

4. Use the dial BRACKET for fine adjustments and to further

reduce the energy by two f-stops.

Asymmetrical light distribution

1. Connect one head to the A socket and one head to one

of the

B sockets.

2. Set the A+B / A <-> B switch in position A<->B.

The energy for the two heads is now individually controlled.

3. Reduce the energy one or two f-stops by halving or quartering

the energy with the A-switch for the head connected to

the A-socket.

4. Use the dial BRACKET for fine adjustments

the energy by two f-stops.

There are many ways to shoot a room like this. You can use 20 different lights and layer it

or you can use what you have. It's a matter of time/budget.

If you are shooting digital, you can place your camera on a tripod and place your interior

lighting where you want it and expose for that, and then expose for the natural light and

then blend and color correct in photoshop.

If you are shooting film, you need to match the light levels before exposure. You can use

ND gels over the windows to cut the level and you can put the incandescent lights on

dimmers. You will probably add some of your lighting into the mix to up the ambient

levels to better blend everything.