| Author | Thread |
|
|
08/26/2005 11:25:09 AM · #1 |
I recently took some photos for some friends at their wedding as a favor to them (I do not consider myself much of a portrait photographer, mostly I shoot wildlife and landscape).
I really enjoyed the experience, so much so that I would like to explore some more of this type of photography, and also to acquire a better set of lights. What I used in the church was a pair of flashes (550EX and 580EX) and a ST-E2 transmitter, reversing the flashes into small umbrellas on stands.
It did OK, but there was an obvious lack of power, and manual control is somewhat tricky under that setup as well. It can be done, but it is not particularly intuitive.
I am just now starting to research lighting kits, and of course Alien Bees come right to the top of the list. I searched DPC using Google but did not find a whole lot of forum topics here. Would people using some type of Alien Bees setup care to offer their insight into what they use? And if there are others using different setups, such as White Lightning, et al, I would love to hear from you as well.
My ultimate goal is to start off with a sub $1000 kit that is comprised of two decent lights with lightstands and umbrellas, which is definitely possible with the Alien Bees.
Thanks all! |
|
|
|
08/26/2005 11:50:17 AM · #2 |
| We've got a pair of AlienBees B800's and a large softbox at the office. I can't recommend them highly enough. I asked Santa for my own set last year, but I wasn't THAT good. ;-) |
|
|
|
08/26/2005 12:44:09 PM · #3 |
A pair of Alienbees with a softbox and umbrella! Very good setup, I love mine!
|
|
|
|
08/26/2005 12:57:15 PM · #4 |
Here's the site for the:
Alienbees Website
Message edited by author 2005-08-26 12:57:54. |
|
|
|
08/26/2005 01:15:06 PM · #5 |
alienbees.com is the way to go. Ordering mine soon.
A few SB400 with a softbox and grids will do an amazing job. |
|
|
|
08/26/2005 01:56:52 PM · #6 |
I was just looking at the same thing eariler this morning... here's a couple of link to checkout if you are interested...
AlienBees Flash Units - Whats The Buzz
Alien Bees Mono-lights (Review)
Alien Bees Studio Lights |
|
|
|
08/26/2005 02:41:46 PM · #7 |
| Great feedback and links. Thanks everyone. |
|
|
|
08/26/2005 04:47:15 PM · #8 |
Indeed those links are awesome!
(sorry to hijack your thread Rich)
I have a question concerning the 'power' of those flash units (to anyone who has experience with watt power).
My studio is of around 15 feet x 25 feet. (not big, i know). I had originaly planned on purchasing 3x SB400 units with 1 30x60 softbox, 4grids and a Silver / Gold Umbrella...
Is this a wise choice?
(I,m also just starting on the use of flash units ... so excited).
edit: i must add that the reason for so many lights is also because i will use those 'outside' my studio as well...
Message edited by author 2005-08-26 16:47:58. |
|
|
|
08/26/2005 04:49:42 PM · #9 |
|
|
|
08/26/2005 05:00:57 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by RedOak:
I had originaly planned on purchasing 3x SB400 units with 1 30x60 softbox, 4grids and a Silver / Gold Umbrella...
|
Just my opinion, and I don't even own AB's, but if you're going all out on a whole package like that, I would spend 50 bucks more and get the SB800 to use as your main, and then the other SB400's for fill/background/hair/whatever (or $140 more for the SB1600). You might not need it that much, but it will be nice to have that extra power when you do need it. Good luck! |
|
|
|
08/26/2005 05:04:36 PM · #11 |
Do you have any pic's to show from the church with the speedlights.
I was thinking about this as well and wondering how they faired.
They would be certainly more portable than strobes. |
|
|
|
08/26/2005 05:12:10 PM · #12 |
| allright, perhaps i found your wedding on your website. Question though. Your indoor shots at the reception, where was the flash? on the camera? or of? did you have something over the flash, or did you bounce it? The indoor shots look nice, and not very harsh considering flash use. |
|
|
|
08/26/2005 07:52:34 PM · #13 |
| I trying to understand the concept of Strobes. I know what they do but How do they connect your camera. I have a 300D and I dont see any sync cord attachment. I was wondering how would use strobes system. I've seen some where studio strobes that say they fire from seeing a flash how does this work and if you can recommend some kits or units. |
|
|
|
08/26/2005 08:03:48 PM · #14 |
| d70 and 300d dont have a pc cord. A lot of strobes are slaves, which means theyll fire when they see another flash (the one on your camera) I pretty much hate on camera flash usually so I bought a pc cord adapter (wein safe sync to protect from blowing out the circuitry). youll need to buy an adapter if you dont want to fire flashes with your on camera flash. |
|
|
|
08/26/2005 09:13:33 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by Telehubbie:
Originally posted by RedOak:
I had originaly planned on purchasing 3x SB400 units with 1 30x60 softbox, 4grids and a Silver / Gold Umbrella...
|
Just my opinion, and I don't even own AB's, but if you're going all out on a whole package like that, I would spend 50 bucks more and get the SB800 to use as your main, and then the other SB400's for fill/background/hair/whatever (or $140 more for the SB1600). You might not need it that much, but it will be nice to have that extra power when you do need it. Good luck! |
Thank you for your input, this helps me a great deal. I'm not familiar with lighting equipment, and i am investing a lot of money into this, so i'd like to make it work properly the first time ;)
Is there a 'light calculation' chart that's understandable i could consult? |
|
|
|
08/26/2005 09:34:13 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by RedOak:
I would spend 50 bucks more and get the SB800 to use as your main, and then the other SB400's for fill/background/hair/whatever |
I was going to suggest the same thing. We have 3 x B800's, but a single B800 for the softbox would have been fine.
Originally posted by hdogg4u:
I trying to understand the concept of Strobes. How do they connect your camera? |
AlienBees sells a $15 hot shoe adapter that slides onto your camera like an external flash. A cable runs from that adapter to any one of the flash units. Pressing the shutter button on your camera fires the cable-connected flash. The sudden burst of light will automatically trigger the other AlienBess units wirelessly.
Message edited by author 2005-08-26 21:35:01. |
|
|
|
08/26/2005 09:36:29 PM · #17 |
I use Photogenic StudioMax II 320 w/s lights and they are very good. I like that kit a lot and it was $550 at BHPhoto. I recommend that you at least look at something other than AB.
|
|
|
|
08/27/2005 12:02:20 AM · #18 |
Leaf - the images posted in my PBase gallery were from another wedding, back in spring, where I took some photos for family. All of the indoor shot in that gallery were pretty much with the 580EX onboard and nothing else, bouncing off the ceiling. I did have a 550EX that my wife would hold off camera as a slave occasionally, but only for a few shots.
The friends I took photos for this past weekend are very private people, so unfortunately I can't post those photos.
The 580EX/550EX/ST-E2 setup is very, very portable, I will grant you that. But the tradeoff seems to be pretty low power.
|
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 09/20/2025 06:59:59 PM EDT.
