AlienBees Progress Report - DPChallenge Forums

10/24/2009 01:22:56 PM · #1

I just stopped by the AlienBees website and it looks like things have been happening over there recently. For instance, the long awaited Cyber Commander transmitter is finally in production. Apparently, quantities are limited and it's already back-ordered, but at least it's finally been released. I can't wait to get mine and try it out. The information on development issues described in the Progress Report is quite interesting.

They also announced that they will no longer accept orders from customers outside the USA and US possessions (Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Guam) and Canada.

Tez

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

10/25/2009 02:01:11 AM · #2

Paul Buff himself has a running progress report over on the Fred Miranda forums. The commander is a big big hit on all fronts it seems, hence the lack of availability. I think he said they were still backlogged on their pre-orders.

As for the outside USA thing, he did mention he had someone interested in Germany (and therefore Europe) and he's in talks with someone in Brisbane (Oceania) so availability is on the horizon if you're in these territories. It isn't just a matter of finding a distributor though- the customer service I've encountered at Alien Bees has been nothing short of exemplary, and I think Paul wants to carry this over to whoever represents him outside USA.

It sounds like I work for him... I really don't!

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

10/25/2009 02:21:14 AM · #3

It's great to be able to control all of the parameters of a multi-light setup right at the camera, without any wires to get in the way. I had their RadioRemoteOne transmitter/receiver system and it was awesome. Not as many features as the new Cyber Commander, but it still allowed me to control all of my lights remotely without any wiring. Unfortunately, it had intermittent firing problems. They allowed me to return the whole system for a full refund, even after I had used them for several months. Yes, AlienBees has excellent customer service. :)

Tez

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

10/25/2009 02:22:41 AM · #4

yeah I think the Commander is the shape of things to come for the lighting world. I don't see the same thing offered by Profoto or anybody else.

I saw some pics of it in operation and it looks mighty confusing though.

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

10/25/2009 02:38:53 AM · #5

So is Einstein 640 replacing Alien Bees or White Lightening, or both? And what happened to ABMax?
I've been waiting for these new lights for a long time just for the 9 stop range. I hope they're available come mid December like they say, but I don't count on it given all the delays so far.

10/25/2009 02:59:05 PM · #6

Originally posted by Tez:

yeah I think the Commander is the shape of things to come for the lighting world. I don't see the same thing offered by Profoto or anybody else.

I don't know of any lighting manufacturer that is even trying to produce similar functionality, and that seems strange because it's such a natural evolution for complex lighting systems. It's very annoying and time consuming to adjust a multi-light setup manually, especially when some of the lights are up high on booms. You either have to lower the stand or climb up a ladder so you can reach the light's control panel. Having the ability to configure everything from the camera is so much more convenient.

Originally posted by Tez:

I saw some pics of it in operation and it looks mighty confusing though.

It does look a little confusing, and it will probably require some practice to get comfortable with the controls. That's a result of putting so much functionality into such a small package with so few controls. I think I would actually prefer a larger chassis with more controls and a larger screen. A console that mounts to a tripod leg would be great for me. I already do that with my TC-80N3 timer/remote. Each leg of my tripod has Velcro loop material attached, and the remote has the Velcro hook part. When I'm not using the remote I simply stick it to either leg, instead of leaving it hanging from the camera by it's wire connector.