just ordered my AB 1600 - DPChallenge Forums

08/04/2008 09:14:54 PM · #1

I can hardly wait to get them
Time to play with strobes

Just need a radio a pocket wizard receiver and I am ready to play!!

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

08/07/2008 11:43:11 AM · #2

woohoo I am scheduled to receive my AlienBees on Monday woohoo...

PHOTOKID

08/07/2008 11:50:57 AM · #3

I am Jealous!!!! :D

Have a great time with your strobes.

MattO

Nikon D4

08/07/2008 12:22:11 PM · #4

Great selection on ordering your AB's. They are a very good company and have great customer service. If I may ask why did you decide the 1600's? My original AB's were 1600's and they are really powerful, in fact too powerful for my small studio and I traded/sold down to AB800's. They are easier to handle in smaller situations and actually recharge faster and shorter flash durations.

Matt

PHOTOKID

08/07/2008 12:54:15 PM · #5

Originally posted by MattO:

Hi Matt hope Jamie doesnt mind but I would like to hi-jack the thread for a moment and ask you why you traded back the 1600's and recieved 800's. Couldnt you have just changed the power of your 1600's to much the output power of the 800's and had a faster recharge time? Sorry Jamie, and thanks Matt in advance for your information.

Rich

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

08/07/2008 01:29:08 PM · #6

Originally posted by Hot_Pixel:

Originally posted by MattO:
Great selection on ordering your AB's. They are a very good company and have great customer service. If I may ask why did you decide the 1600's? My original AB's were 1600's and they are really powerful, in fact too powerful for my small studio and I traded/sold down to AB800's. They are easier to handle in smaller situations and actually recharge faster and shorter flash durations.

Matt

Hi Matt hope Jamie doesnt mind but I would like to hi-jack the thread for a moment and ask you why you traded back the 1600's and recieved 800's. Couldnt you have just changed the power of your 1600's to much the output power of the 800's and had a faster recharge time? Sorry Jamie, and thanks Matt in advance for your information.

Rich

Thanks ok Rich.
The reason I picked the 1600s is that they are more powerful and I have the ability to scale down the power If needed. I like the flexibiilty of the 1600s if needed.

MattO

Nikon D4

08/07/2008 01:44:49 PM · #7

Originally posted by Hot_Pixel:

You can dial them down, but you are limited. Just imagine shooting with your main light @ F8, your fill @ F4 and your hairlight either @F8 or one stop up depending on what you are doing. Now imagine to get F8 in a small studio you are at 1/8th power of the strobe. now try to get your fill down where you need it and you cant pull it back any further then you already are.

The 1600's are powerful. They also have slower recharge times then the 800's at all power settings. They also have a longer flash duration, which is very important when strobing sports to have the shortest duration possible while still over powering ambient. The 800's are the choice of nearly all sports photographers who use portable strobes in dimly light HS and college gyms that dont have fixed strobes in the rafters. Mainly for short duration and fast recharge rate, the are also lighter to carry and setup. The last point is you can dial them down to use in the studio.

Matt

Prof_Fate

08/07/2008 02:00:57 PM · #8

I've been using stellar units, 300ws like the AB800 units. At times i want more power, but it's rare. I got a 600ws unit (like teh AB1600) last week and while the specs on their site saay the recycle time is the same - it is not. It is longer - just like the larger AB unit.

Yes, you can dial down the power, but it's twice as powerful, so 1/8 power on an 600ws unit is twice the light of 1/8 power on a 300ws unit.

08/07/2008 02:14:27 PM · #9

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

So if I am getting this right I am going to have to turn off my lights and shoot in the dark in a small studio? lol

Hmm...you guys are making me reconsider my descision of the AB1600s. I thought if they were too powerful I could just scale them down with the same recycle time.

Prof_Fate

08/07/2008 02:24:46 PM · #10

I was surprised at the longer recycle time myself - reassuring to hear the Ab units are teh same way.
I have 4 300's and one 600 now, so the slower recycle is quite noticeable (mine beep when ready). I used to shoot quickly (shot to shot) but the 600 is a good bit slower. I'm not getting rid of it - there are time I need the extra kick, but not often. Perhaps it's just a matter of learning to use the more powerful units - the classes and seminars I've taken they all use strobes with more punch, up to 2400ws at times!

PHOTOKID

08/07/2008 02:36:19 PM · #11

Thank you all for sharing your knowledge about the strobes with me. I have been very interested in getting a strobe kit for some time now. I am glad I chose to follow this thread as I too were considering the AB1600. I probably now will go with the 800's as my dining room is small and I think the 800's will do well for me.

Thanks to Jamie once again for allowing me to highjack the thread.

Rich