$2000 @ Alien Bees - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 70-200 /2.8 APO EX DG Macro HSM II

10/10/2008 12:55:46 PM · #1

what would you buy?

I need new softboxes, and lights that work better...what would you choose for 90/10 studiovlocation work?????

Eyesup

Nikon D300

10/10/2008 12:58:30 PM · #2

The Busy Bee package should be plenty for you

Breeee123

Nikon D3

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

10/10/2008 01:18:35 PM · #3

I spent about that much at Alien Bee - I bought 2 AB 800's, 1 AB 1600, 1 Vagabond portable power source, and a giant octogonal softbox, all of which are wonderful pieces of equipment and have paid for themselves. I seriously advise you stay away from their umbrellas and lightstands though, as every single one of these that I've bought from Alien Bee have broken.

10/10/2008 01:43:06 PM · #4

the ring light??? it looks so tempting.

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

10/10/2008 02:35:14 PM · #5

If I had $2000 to spend on lights I wouldn't buy Alien Bees

Kaveran

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

10/10/2008 10:58:52 PM · #6

Originally posted by James:

If I had $2000 to spend on lights I wouldn't buy Alien Bees

Thats helpful. Then what would you buy? Id really lie some profoto's but 2k wont buy ya much there.

roba

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/11/2008 03:07:32 AM · #7

Originally posted by Eyesup:

The Busy Bee package should be plenty for you

Agreed. I bought the Busy Bee package with 4x AB800's, and the Vagabond II. I lug 'em everywhere with me now (except for the giant softbox). Also - haven't had any issues with breaking anything yet.

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

10/11/2008 09:13:48 AM · #8

Originally posted by Kaveran:

Originally posted by James:
If I had $2000 to spend on lights I wouldn't buy Alien Bees
Thats helpful. Then what would you buy? Id really lie some profoto's but 2k wont buy ya much there.

I would go Canon Flashes.

OK $2000 to spend on lights:

1 - Canon 580EXII - $420
2 - Canon 430 EX - $329/ea = $658
1 - Canon ST-E2 Transmitter - $220 - Here
2 -Stands and umbrellas - $98.95At B&H
1 - Extra Stand - $34.95 - Here
1 - Extra Umbrella - $17.95 Here
3 - Shoe Mount brackets - $13.95/ea = $41.85 Found here:B&H Photo

Total before shipping - $1491.70

Left with $508 for batteries and backdrops.

Kaveran

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

10/11/2008 10:44:29 AM · #9

Originally posted by James:

Originally posted by Kaveran:

Originally posted by James:
If I had $2000 to spend on lights I wouldn't buy Alien Bees
Thats helpful. Then what would you buy? Id really lie some profoto's but 2k wont buy ya much there.

I would go Canon Flashes.

OK $2000 to spend on lights:

1 - Canon 580EXII - $420
2 - Canon 430 EX - $329/ea = $658
1 - Canon ST-E2 Transmitter - $220 - Here
2 -Stands and umbrellas - $98.95At B&H
1 - Extra Stand - $34.95 - Here
1 - Extra Umbrella - $17.95 Here
3 - Shoe Mount brackets - $13.95/ea = $41.85 Found here:B&H Photo

Total before shipping - $1491.70

Left with $508 for batteries and backdrops.

Thats certainly a more portable setup but will it light a large enough area? The Op did ay 90% studio work and if they want to do a lot of high key stuff the above setup likely wont cut it. I guess only the OP can decide that one. Id love to have both studio lights and strobist lights but thats gonna take some time.

Message edited by author 2008-10-11 10:46:40.

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

10/11/2008 02:47:52 PM · #10

(4) B400 Black Studio Flash @ $224.95 ea. $899.80
(4) Boom Arm Attachments @ $89.95 ea. $359.80
(1) CyberSync Trigger Receiver $69.95
(1) CyberSync Trigger Transmitter $59.95
(2) 20Âº Honeycomb Grid @ $29.95 ea. $59.90
(2) 35-inch Octabox @ $99.95 ea. $199.90
(4) 13-foot Air-Cushioned Stand @ $99.95 ea. $399.80
-----------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal $2049.10

Order Discount (based on number of lights) - $229.86

Shipping (San Antonio, Texas) $102.78

Grand Total $1922.02

This would give you a very nice start on a studio setup. Add other accessories as you need them and can afford them. A couple of the LightMod Mainframes for snoots, barndoors, and gels would be nice.

For on-site work, you could add some Vagabond II portable power supplies. You also might want the foldable octaboxes instead of the regular ones. They're more expensive, and a little quicker to setup.

You might want to skip the CyberSync's and wait for the new CyberSync2/Cyber Commander advanced wireless controllers, due out this winter or early next year.

Then again, you might want to wait for the new Einstein digital strobes that are also due out this winter. :D

10/11/2008 10:42:08 PM · #11

Originally posted by Kaveran:

Originally posted by James:

Originally posted by Kaveran:

Originally posted by James:
If I had $2000 to spend on lights I wouldn't buy Alien Bees
Thats helpful. Then what would you buy? Id really lie some profoto's but 2k wont buy ya much there.

I would go Canon Flashes.

OK $2000 to spend on lights:

1 - Canon 580EXII - $420
2 - Canon 430 EX - $329/ea = $658
1 - Canon ST-E2 Transmitter - $220 - Here
2 -Stands and umbrellas - $98.95At B&H
1 - Extra Stand - $34.95 - Here
1 - Extra Umbrella - $17.95 Here
3 - Shoe Mount brackets - $13.95/ea = $41.85 Found here:B&H Photo

Total before shipping - $1491.70

Left with $508 for batteries and backdrops.

Thats certainly a more portable setup but will it light a large enough area? The Op did ay 90% studio work and if they want to do a lot of high key stuff the above setup likely wont cut it. I guess only the OP can decide that one. Id love to have both studio lights and strobist lights but thats gonna take some time.

Yeah high key is kinda... imporant, since one of the big things we did was build a white cyc wall to shoot against!

I have 4 strobes already, but they dont' work well with the remote, and our softboxes are all destroyed, so figured an upgrade would be good. We have no hairlight, barn doors, no gells. A couple small umbrellas... but those are ebay stuff.