tempting lighting kits on ebay - DPChallenge Forums

Alien Bee Kit (Good Price)

09/16/2007 05:59:08 PM · #1

I am at a loss for what to buy when it comes to studio lighting. I know I want one or two (depending on price) strobe lights at least 160ws with 8-12ft stands and 2 softboxes or a softbox and umbrella. The one issue I have been seeing with most lights is that they have a million year long recycle time. I worked all summer with alien bees lights which have .5 s recycle time and it was AWESOME. But yeah....to get ONE light with one stand a foldable softbox with a case from alien bees which I know how to use already and love its 415 dollars...just ONE....AHHHH

So I have been checking out kits on ebay and found one that is really really calling my name.... Lighting Kit

It's a lot of stuff but the price is amazing and the lights are 180ws and the recycle time is only 1.2-2.2 seconds....

Anyone have any suggestions on how to get a good price on good quality stuff? There are a million forums on this but I havn't really found a lot of them helpful in my case because my main concerns are recycle time, flash tube replacement (can I do it myself and how muchw ould it cost) and then just general quality and mobility of the kit because I am going to have to keep this stuff in my dorm room...or at least some of it.

Thanks for the help!
Claire

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

09/16/2007 06:01:22 PM · #2

09/16/2007 06:02:27 PM · #3

Originally posted by rex:

Alien Bee Kit (Good Price)

Yeah I know but it comes with two umbrellas and i REALLY want softboxes and their foldable softboxes in the size I want are about 130 dollars so I would have two umbrellas I won't use and have to spend an extra 260 dollars on top of that....

edit...

is that the best thing that I could do for myself is just splurge and try to sell the two umbrellas or keep them in case I buy more lights or what? That would put me at spending 1000$ for 2 really good lights good stands cases from a company I trust with 2 umbrellas and 2 softboxes and a radio flash trigger setup that I am not sure will even work with my camera (sony a100) how do I figure that out?

Message edited by author 2007-09-16 18:04:38.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/16/2007 06:06:52 PM · #4

GAH....so the softboxes must be used with heavy duty lighting stands....so I would have to get two more stands as well and then have two extra stands and two umbrellas I wouldnt use and tack on my pricing....

:(

MikeJ

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

09/16/2007 06:23:32 PM · #5

Check out the Excalibur lights on B&H. They come with decent air cushioned light stands, umbrellas, choice of 160ws, 320 ws and 640 ws strobes. The softboxes under the SP name will fit on the Excaliburs and are cheaper (and better quality) than those you get with Alien Bees. The price of the same setup is also much cheaper than the Alien Bees.

Do a search on B&H on Excalibur.

Their 2 SP 3200 kit, which is 2 320 ws strobes, stands and umbrella for each is $480 before shipping. One thing about the 320 and 640 ws lights, the flash power and modeling light adjustment is a continous slider while the 160 ws light uses a rocker full/half/quarter power (I believe the Alien Bee's 160 ws light is also this way). You do have more control with the slider switches (same as the higher power Alien Bees). There are two kits on B&H... one has a case and the other doesn't. Of course the one without is a bit cheaper.

They are good lights and often overlooked and at least something much better than most of the stuff you find on e-bay.

Mike

Message edited by author 2007-09-16 18:24:12.

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

09/16/2007 07:03:08 PM · #6

Originally posted by lovethelight:

I bought the $130 softbox and the stand works fine with it.

SamDoe1

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

09/17/2007 12:46:09 AM · #7

I know Alienbees allows you to make your own kit, you don't only have to stick with their pre made ones. You get a certain percent discount based on the number of lights you buy. Might be something to look into?

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/17/2007 01:03:51 AM · #8

Originally posted by lovethelight:

So I have been checking out kits on ebay and found one that is really really calling my name.... Lighting Kit

FWIW, I bought a very similar kit on ebay for like $299 - 2 softboxes, umbrella, stands, backdrops etc. - all the same stuff shown there. I found it based on someone else's post here. I have had the stuff for 3 or 4 months and really haven't even had a chance to do anything with it except use the softboxes continuous lighting for a couple tests. I can say that I was pretty satisfied with the amount of stuff and the reasonable quality for the price. If I was going to do any amount of serious portrait work though, I would opt for the Alien Bee kit based on what I've heard. but cost is over twice as much. Godd luck whatever you decide.

09/17/2007 01:26:17 AM · #9

yeah i finally descovered the alien bees create your own kit thing, it looked nice but i am going to check out the stuff suggested on b and h. thanks!! :)