I just placed my order! - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

04/01/2007 11:03:36 PM · #1

I am very excited! I got confirmation of a multi-team gymnastics shoot this summer and wanted to invest in some lighting with time to learn the system.

The UPS man will soon be delivering:

2 AlienBees B400-Deep Space Black
2 13-foot Heavy Duty Stand
2 AlienBees Carrying Bag
1 Foldable Medium Octabox (35") with attached speedring
1 48â�� Shoot-Thru Umbrella
1 Hot Shoe Adaptor

I do have a few questions for the Alien Bees users here, about some additional features to look into:

~~1. Wireless, wired, or flash controlled? If wireless, the expensive AB brand or should I hit E-bay?~~
~~2. Powerâ�¦in studio, on locationâ�¦do you use the wall outlet or portable power packs?~~
3. Am I missing anything crucial, good or bad?

Thanks
-Drew

Message edited by author 2007-04-05 14:32:02.

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

04/02/2007 12:30:45 AM · #2

Can't really beat PocketWizards for wireless flash. If AB's work wired, PW's should work with them. The new transcievers are about $200 each.

Message edited by author 2007-04-02 00:31:26.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

04/02/2007 10:45:40 AM · #3

I guess for the wired option you only have to wire one strobe to the camera and the others fire off the flash of the first one. So for a pocket wizard set-up, I should only need one transmitter and one receiver and the others will fire off the flash of the first strobe.

Right?

Thanks, Drew

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

04/02/2007 10:51:36 AM · #4

Wireless ones from AB. You only need ONE transmitter & ONE receiver. You don't need receivers for every light. Total cost $70. They work great!

04/02/2007 02:08:09 PM · #5

Originally posted by idnic:

Total cost $70.

Ah-ha! I had missed these, seeing only "The RadioRemote One Package" at $515.00 Looks like these should do the trick!

Thanks, Drew

04/02/2007 02:10:55 PM · #6

How about power on location. I have seen and read the post that was floating around DPC on building your own portable power supply. Does anyone use this? Did you buy ready made ones (from AB or other?).

Thanks, Drew

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

04/03/2007 11:44:39 AM · #7

Originally posted by idnic:

You only need ONE transmitter & ONE receiver. You don't need receivers for every light.

On a two light set-up would you put the receiver on the key light or fill light...or is the flash slave function so quick that it doesn't really matter?

Thanks, Drew

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

04/03/2007 11:47:05 AM · #8

Originally posted by drewbixcube:

Originally posted by idnic:
You only need ONE transmitter & ONE receiver. You don't need receivers for every light.

On a two light set-up would you put the receiver on the key light or fill light...or is the flash slave function so quick that it doesn't really matter?

Thanks, Drew

Doesn't matter. I keep mine on the strobe closest to the tripod, but that's just because its the one I put it on the day I got it. The response by the other strobes is instant.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

04/03/2007 11:59:32 AM · #9

Is it weird or sad that this delivery is the ONLY thing I can think about? This is my biggest photography purchase since my DSLR. And I know it isn't anything super fancy, but I still think I will throw up from anticipation.

_eug

Nikon D50

04/03/2007 12:28:05 PM · #10

Originally posted by drewbixcube:

You mean to say that you have UPSTrackingSite addiction? I hear that. I'm waiting for a package and it's on the truck.

tryals15

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm f/1.7

04/03/2007 12:29:11 PM · #11

Can I join the excited anticipation group? I'm waiting on the brown truck today... =]

04/03/2007 12:38:36 PM · #12

Originally posted by _eug:

You mean to say that you have UPSTrackingSite addiction?

Not even that. I placed my order Sunday...so I don't think it has left the warehouse yet. But still, I have swept the garage floor like 4 times, cleaned up a spot in the basement, and have my tripod and backdrop set up! I don't know how much of a wreck I will be when I have a countdown via UPS Tracking. My wife isn't going to see me for weeks after these things get here. And my neighbors are going to complain about the constant strobe light popping off in my garage and basement windows.

Not to mention I probably won't be home when the UPS man arrives and will have to drive somewhere to pick it up.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

04/05/2007 12:34:07 PM · #13

"Your package is on time with a scheduled delivery date of 04/05/2007."

I can't concentrate on anything now!

_eug

Nikon D50

04/05/2007 12:45:17 PM · #14

Are you pacing yet? How many times have you heard a noise and looked out the window? Are you standing IN your front doorway looking both ways down the street? Better yet, are you standing IN the street waiting for the bigbrowntruck(TM)?

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

04/05/2007 12:49:35 PM · #15

No, it is much much worse. I am...at work! And have to work late tonight! I don't know if the UPS man will leave the boxes on the front step, or if I will have to get them tomorrow. I know all this, yet I can't get my brain to stop thinking about it....how i will set them up, what i will shoot first...aarrrrgggg.

digitalpins

Canon EOS-60D

04/05/2007 12:59:10 PM · #16

Originally posted by drewbixcube:

No, it is much much worse. I am...at work!

lol...I know the feeling when ever I order camera equipment I continously check the tracking number all day at work...lol... and if nothing I get home and wait for the big brown truck outside. When my camera came I was outside waiting for it and three big brown trucks passed my house then finally the last one stopped and gave me my package. I really hate it when you miss the truck if your not home and have to wait for the next day.

Its like we are little kids waiting for the ice cream truck

Message edited by author 2007-04-05 12:59:37.

EvanH

Canon EOS-20D

Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye for Sigma

04/05/2007 01:05:54 PM · #17

Bugzeye

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

04/05/2007 01:08:45 PM · #18

I bought the The RadioRemote One Package from Alien Bee's Mostly because of the long range, But also because I do alot of moving around and the wires would just become a pain. The remotes work quite well. I setup one light in my front yard and walked down the street, fired it about every twenty feet, made it nearly a block and a half before the signal faded. I also bought a power pack from AB... So far I love the entire setup. Had to get some gels to calm the lights a little bit but otherwise money well spent all the way across the board.

Edit to add, for an easy way to carry the light stands around, I purchased an old golf club bag with wheels at a rummage sale last week, Took the guts out of the bag and it holds all three of my 13 foot stand perfectly has a side pouch that holds the little backlight stand. Works great and makes travel a bit less of a hassle.

Second Edit, It was this shot

buy

AlexSaberi that made me want the long range remotes.

Message edited by author 2007-04-05 13:21:51.

Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye for Sigma

04/05/2007 01:23:09 PM · #19

Originally posted by EvanH:

Is this the AB brand power source?

Originally posted by Bugzeye:

Edit to add, for an easy way to carry the light stands around, I purchased an old golf club bag with wheels at a rummage sale last week, Took the guts out of the bag and it holds all three of my 13 foot stand perfectly has a side pouch that holds the little backlight stand. Works great and makes travel a bit less of a hassle.

I was wondering how to pack the light stands around...I've got a nice canvas bag for my hammock, I was thinking about stuffing them into. Or my grandpa's canvas army duffle (fits two sleeping bags). But I will look into the golf bag trick.

Thanks, Drew

EvanH

Canon EOS-20D

04/05/2007 01:38:35 PM · #20

i bring the power pack on every shoot i go on.
i actually end up using it about 8 times out of 10
i couldn't live without it and if it broke, i would buy another one right away.
works well. on location lighting is snazyy.

Is this the AB brand power source?

yes, its the vagabond...i forget what they call it but it has two AC jacks instead of one. i love it.

Bugzeye

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

04/05/2007 01:49:26 PM · #21

Vegabond V300 Has 2 outlets but you can plug multiple lights using a 2 in one plug or a powerstrip. What ever works best.

EvanH

Canon EOS-20D

Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye for Sigma

04/05/2007 02:19:21 PM · #22

Vegabond V300 Has 2 outlets but you can plug multiple lights using a 2 in one plug or a powerstrip. What ever works best.

you can do that and i find myself doing that most of the time, but the 2nd one is good for backup, and also accessories such as a smoke machine or fan

Bugzeye

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

04/05/2007 02:40:55 PM · #23

I haven't gotten that creative yet but I will keep your advice in mind when I work my way towards a Smoke Machine.

Originally posted by EvanH: