Studio light recommendation? - DPChallenge Forums

10/06/2004 03:22:53 PM · #1

The yellow work lights just aren't cutting it any more. We need to get a better lighting setup at my office for quick product shots of packaging and small printed displays. I'm looking at the AlienBees DigiBee package for $599. Can anyone help me out with an opinion on this set? Is there an alternative I should consider in the same price range? Is there anything else I need? Thanks!

digistoune

Canon EOS-20D

10/06/2004 03:28:06 PM · #2

In the same price range, I don't think you can beat the AB package. Make sure to order the hotshoe/pc cord thingie - they have it in their hardware section.

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

10/06/2004 03:32:43 PM · #3

Originally posted by digistoune:

Make sure to order the hotshoe/pc cord thingie...

Can you Bee more specific? What is it, and why do I need it?

KevinRiggs

Canon EOS-1Ds

10/06/2004 03:38:30 PM · #4

I got basically the same thing as the DigiBee but with the 800's and I replaced their stands and softboxes. I went with the PhotoFlex LiteDomes. I like this setup although I don't like that the modeling light only supports 150 watts. Unless you turn all the other lights off its difficult to get a good representation of how the lights will hit the subject.

Depending on the product you're shooting you may also want to invest in a light tent. PhotoFlex has such a creature and I'm sure you can find them from many other manufacturers, too.

I went with the AlienBees speedrings. You might want to order some extra flashtubes when you purchase because AB runs a deal where you get a discount on the color corrected flash tubes as long as you buy them while you're buying your monolights.

Kev

KevinRiggs

Canon EOS-1Ds

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

10/06/2004 03:40:58 PM · #5

You need the HSA (Hot Shoe Adapter) because the 300D doesn't have a PC Sync plug. This little item mounts to your hotshoe like a flash would but it has a plug for the sync cord. This is what allows your camera to fire the first flash unit (then the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc all fire as slaved flashes when they "see" the first flash go off).

Look on AlienBees page under "Cords & Hardware" in the "Products" section.

Kev

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

10/06/2004 04:12:31 PM · #6

Thanks for the Hot Shoe Adapter info, Kevin. I already have a big light tent.

Now... um, what's a speedring and a flashtube?

KevinRiggs

Canon EOS-1Ds

10/06/2004 04:40:12 PM · #7

When you mount the softbox on front of the light to modify the light (and there's really not a lot of reason to since you're probably going to be shooting at a light tent), the speedring is what you mount the softbox onto. Each light manufacturer has a speedring that fits their light (some like Balcar, White Lightning and AlienBees share a mount). You can buy a speedring from AlienBees and then purchase your softbox from whatever manufacturer you want and be assured that your light modifying softbox will fit your light. The flashtube is the part of the light that flashes. That is opposed to the modeling light which is always on (if you choose to toggle that switch to the ON position on the back of the light). The flashtubes are rated for something like 150,000 flashes before they wear out but they can be broken through mishandling or a mishap. AlienBees makes a "standard" flashtube for the B400/B800 and a standard for the B1600. They also provide a "color corrected" version of the flashtube that helps with UV rays on slide media (if I read the description correctly). These tubes are a little more expensive. If you buy a replacement flashtube or "upgrade" to the color corrected version (if you decide that you need it) then I think Alien Bees will give you a discount if you buy at the same time you make your purchase. Your bill will not show the discount but I spoke with them via phone and that was one of the things that they can do as they process your order.

Quick explaination:
The monolight (what AlienBees sells) has a standard household 100 watt bulb which can be replaced with a 150 watt version. This is the modeling light. Above and below this light sit 2 flash tubes. These are much smaller and protrude from the face of the lamp about 1/5th of the length of the household lightbulb. These are immensely more powerful than the regular lightbulb and they are what provide the actual flash when you fire the flash.

Hope this helps,

Kev