Alien Bees: 400 or 800s - DPChallenge Forums

11/17/2006 10:28:48 AM · #1

Thinking of picking up some strobes for portrait work, initially indoors, probably moving outside.

Would you get the 400 or 800 alien bees ? I remember playing around with an 800 and it was almost too bright for a reasonably sized room.

ignite

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

11/17/2006 10:33:31 AM · #2

If you can afford them, get the 800s. Better to have it and not need it...

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/17/2006 10:37:42 AM · #3

Originally posted by ignite:

If you can afford them, get the 800s. Better to have it and not need it...

My problem was I couldn't turn them down far enough. Even at 1/32th power, they'd blow out when I wanted to shoot with a shallow DoF

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

11/17/2006 10:38:52 AM · #4

I have all 800s (2 at home and 3 at work). I've probably never used them at more than 1/2 power.

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/17/2006 10:39:39 AM · #5

Originally posted by Gordon:

My problem was I couldn't turn them down far enough.

Yeah, polarizers and ND filters to the rescue!

smellyfish1002

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

11/17/2006 10:42:56 AM · #6

Half power is the highest setting I've used.

Wait... actually, I used them on full power once to take a portrait of my 4 year old. After the shot, all that was left was a pair of shoes and some smoking dust...
We really liked him...

JD

Message edited by author 2006-11-17 10:43:11.

nsoroma79

Nikon Coolpix P7000

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

11/17/2006 10:44:34 AM · #7

I have a 400 and an 800. I like having one of each so I can switch them around. I am actually looking into getting another 800. I like using the 2 lights to do high keys, and sometimes the 400 isn't strong enough to get the whites totally white. So, I would use the 2 800's for blowing out the background and the 400 for a portrait light.

One other thing I wold highly suggest picking up is the Large Octobox. I have it and I LOVE it! I like it better than a regular softbox. It makes the catch lights in the eyes much nicer. Plus, I think it spreads the light out better.

I have my heart set on a beauty dish from them.... but I just don't have the $$ right now. Soon. Maybe. :)

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

11/17/2006 10:46:47 AM · #8

i know nothing about studio equipment, but i have read in several places that white lightning strobes offer more even light and are of better build quality than alien bees. of course, i have no idea what the cost difference is - and i have no personal experience. just trying to be helpful.

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

11/17/2006 10:48:05 AM · #9

Originally posted by scalvert:

Originally posted by Gordon:
My problem was I couldn't turn them down far enough.

Yeah, polarizers and ND filters to the rescue!

Yeah. I think the main problem was I was trying to shoot wide open, and mix in some ambient light, dragging the shutter.

I ended up firing the strobe, at 1/32 power, through a big octobox, into a wall to bounce it further around :)

I think I'll get a 400. I can always add an 800 later if I need it and then it'll give some more flexibility.

theSaj

Canon EOS-20D

11/17/2006 11:00:05 AM · #10

Originally posted by hopper:

As I understand, they're very similar lights. One's just higher build quality, metal, better heat dissipation and allows for higher modelling light. Perhaps a few minor internal differences. Same designer/manufacturer.

It's kind of akin to a Corvette and TransAm. You can get both cars with the same engines. One's a bit lighter, sleeker, and has a nicer build quality. But you pay extra for it. Sure, it's added bragging rights.

:)

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/17/2006 11:03:20 AM · #11

Originally posted by nsoroma79:

So, I would use the 2 800's for blowing out the background and the 400 for a portrait light.

Heck, with the 800's you could blow out a BLACK background... or toast marshmallows. ;-)