| Author | Thread |
|
|
09/22/2006 06:30:17 PM · #1 |
I am thinking about purchasing some Alien Bee studio lights. I hear they are pretty good. |
|
|
|
09/22/2006 06:31:56 PM · #2 |
I love ours. I highly reccomend them.  idnicdoes amazing work with hers. i think they are awesome. |
|
|
|
09/22/2006 07:23:41 PM · #3 |
| I have 2 400's and I like them... |
|
|
|
09/22/2006 07:30:35 PM · #4 |
They're ok. Obviously there's better and alternatives exist but it's tough to beat Alien Bees in the bang for your buck department.
I don't think highly of their accessories though.
|
|
|
|
09/22/2006 08:47:56 PM · #5 |
For bang for buck, the SP Excaliburs beat the Alien Bees. While the Bees themselves seem to be well built, I've read a lot of complaints about their softboxes, umbrellas, light stands and other perrifials that you can get from them. The Excaliburs come with very good light stands and umbrellas, which make them even more of a bargin for those that are starting out for scratch. The softboxes, umbrellas, snoots, barndoors, etc. that you can get with the Excaliburs are also priced less but just as good as other good quality name brand items. I've had my 3 Excaliburs for about 6 years and they are still going strong. I've got the SP-6400 (640 watt seconds), SP-3200 (320 ws) and SP-1600 (160 ws) lights, a 24x36 softbox, a 28" Octogon softbox, a number of umbrellas, parabolic reflector, snoots, barn doors, etc. as well.
If you need smaller profile lights, that's what the Bees are. That's also why they need a fan to keep cool. Both are in the same class, better than beginner level, but not really rated for full time day in and day out professional use... although both will take a lot of use... I know I've put my Excaliburs through a lot as well as hauling them across the US several times and out on location a bunch of times.
The Bees are decent lights. But you can check out the SP's on B&H by doing a search on Excalibur or SP Systems.
Mike
|
|
|
|
09/22/2006 10:20:07 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by virtuamike:
I don't think highly of their accessories though. |
Yes, I think you could do better with other brands. |
|
|
|
09/22/2006 10:30:17 PM · #7 |
Thanks for the compliment, Crystal! :)
I've used 2 of my AB 400s for over 4 years and an additional AB 800 for the last 18 months and have yet to change a strobe bulb... and I shoot A LOT!!!! I still have the softbox and 2 'brellas that I bought 4 years ago as well as the lightstands that came with each light (not upgraded). I've never had a problem with them. I tear them down and carry them to locations, I shoot hundreds of shots a day at times, I abuse them with kids, dogs, etc....... I recommend the Alien Bee lights. BTW, mine are Martian Pink. :)
|
|
|
|
09/22/2006 10:32:21 PM · #8 |
One shot from today with my Aliens....
|
|
|
|
09/22/2006 10:34:27 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by idnic:
BTW, mine are Martian Pink. :) |
Ours too:) |
|
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: 09/09/2025 11:42:04 AM EDT.
