Trying out my new AlienBees - DPChallenge Forums

07/06/2004 05:23:59 AM · #1

I got my new AlienBees lighting equipment last Friday. Wahooo!!! I got two B400 160W/S monolights, two 13� heavy duty stands with boom arms, and two medium octaboxes. I�m very impressed with this company and their products. The lights work great, and the stands and softboxes are much higher quality than I expected.

I took these shots today to try out my new toys. Please, take a look and let me know what you think. The first few are of my wife Becky, one of my son Troy and one of his girlfriend Kai (both of them hung-over after the 4th), and the last one is me (sorry folks.)

--Mick

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D

07/06/2004 10:12:51 AM · #2

(bump - for those who don't stay up until 3:00AM)

digistoune

Canon EOS-20D

07/06/2004 10:45:43 AM · #3

I like the first shot of your wife the best; The blue shirt brings out her eyes. Cool lighting set up. I'm guessing that you are pleased with the results?

dcano

Nikon D100

07/06/2004 10:47:46 AM · #4

Beautiful lighting. I cant wait to be able to get a set up like that. Use it in good fun!!!

07/06/2004 01:38:22 PM · #5

Originally posted by digistoune:

I like the first shot of your wife the best; The blue shirt brings out her eyes. Cool lighting set up. I'm guessing that you are pleased with the results?

Thanks for your input.

Yes, I'm very pleased with the results. I can't get over how much nicer the light is with strobes and softboxes. I'd love to hear some suggestions for improvements and/or different ways I might try using the lights and softboxes.

I like the way the shots of Becky in the red blouse turned out. I clipped a sheet of yellow cellophane over the hair light to add some color. I think it makes her hair look really nice.

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

07/06/2004 01:40:32 PM · #6

Originally posted by dcano:

Beautiful lighting. I cant wait to be able to get a set up like that. Use it in good fun!!!

Thanks! It really is fun working with this stuff. The hard part is getting suckers... ummm... subjects to pose for me. :)

JC_Homola

Canon EOS-20D

07/06/2004 01:55:38 PM · #7

I've been eyeing these for a while now,, getting ready to set up a portrait studio (small time) and with little money to invest it's got to be the right set up,, first time out.

So, if I may ask, how much did you spend?

From you shots, it looks like they are a great investment. Will work good for product shots too.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

07/06/2004 02:48:24 PM · #8

Originally posted by JC_Homola:

I researched monolights and other studio equipment for several days on the web, asked questions here and there, yada, yada... The AlienBees seemed to be the best bang-for-the-buck deal around. Lots of folks had nothing but good things to say about them, even some professional photographers like and use them, and they write good things about them in magazines.

The B400 setup that I bought should work fine for individual, or even small group, portraits, and small to medium sized product shots too. I�ll probably eventually add a couple more flash units, stands, reflectors, and possibly some flash attachments too (gels, filters, honeycomb grids, etc..) I used a piece of white foam-core for a reflector in the shots I posted. It worked pretty well, but I needed a stand or something to hold it.

Anyway, here�s what I bought�

(2) B400 Star White monolights @ $224.95 each = $449.90
(2) LB1 Boom Arm Attachment @ $59.95 each = $119.90
(2) LS3900 13' Extreme Duty Stand @ $69.95 each = $139.90
(2) OB35 35� Octabox @ $99.95 each = $199.90

Subtotal: $909.60

Order Discount: -$45.97 (10 percent discount. Based on number of lights)

UPS Gnd Residential Shipping: $83.80 (shipping cost is estimated)

Grand Total: $947.43

P.S. I'm seriously considering buying the LG4X wired remote so I can adjust the lights from the camera position. That would be a nice feature to have I think.

Message edited by author 2004-07-06 14:50:47.

buckwheat

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

07/06/2004 04:27:20 PM · #9

Wow! Your wife is very beautiful. I like the lighting on the hair.

JC_Homola

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

07/06/2004 04:45:56 PM · #10

Thanks... it does seem like a lot for the money.. I've been looking for a while and had run across them some time back.

Ok,, they are officially on the list! now to save the money, for them and lens's... I need a WHOLE lot more work!! ; }

dsidwell

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

07/06/2004 04:51:45 PM · #11

Looking at your shots, I can see why some folks opt for more control than the sun can give! Have fun with your new tools!

07/06/2004 05:45:21 PM · #12

Originally posted by buckwheat:

Wow! Your wife is very beautiful. I like the lighting on the hair.

Thank you for your, no doubt, unbiased opinion. :)

07/06/2004 05:59:54 PM · #13

Originally posted by JC_Homola:

Thanks... it does seem like a lot for the money..

Say that louder so my wife can hear you. :)

Originally posted by JC_Homola:

Ok,, they are officially on the list! now to save the money, for them and lens's... I need a WHOLE lot more work!! ; }

Are you doing photography professionally (regardless of quality)? If so, how did you get started with that? What do you do to get work? I don't think I want to be a pro, but it would be fun an informative to pick up some side jobs locally.