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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> advice on buying some lights
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03/10/2009 02:00:29 PM · #1
Hi, this is my first post so i apologize if this is in the wrong place!

I want some advice on some studio lights to buy but i would also like them to be moderatly portable
Im a complete novice when it comes to lights and flashes etc etc so i dont know what i need or where to buy.
ive been looking at alien bees ive heard there a decent brand but im abit lost!

I would like to keep the cost as low as possible too im looking to save about £500 ($690ish)
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Henry

03/10/2009 03:03:36 PM · #2
This is a deep subject and your bound to get many varying points of view, from the strobist lovers to the die hard studio light folks. Just like with cameras there is a tradeoff no matter what you get. Strobes can be used off camera, are generally cheaper and more portable but dont supply the same light as studio lights.

Alien Bees are a pretty nice product for the price. You can save money by going with some cheap ebay stuff but a search here will show you many who have tried to save a few bucks going that route are often unhappy with the decision.

What is it you are looking to photograph with the lights?
03/10/2009 03:33:01 PM · #3
see this is my problem i am a upcoming photographer and havnt even though about lights till now although i think i would rather take studio lights! I need quite a diversity though i think i will be taking more portraits then any other subject probably more outdoors aswell! But of coursce i will need them to use annywhere i think! how heavy and portable they are isnt really a problem for me!

I wouldnt mind buying of Ebay but only a good brand but i dont know many which is my probelm

Message edited by author 2009-03-10 15:33:54.
03/10/2009 03:44:28 PM · #4
Check out AlienBees, along with their cybersync remote triggers

I have had several chances to use this gear in a nearby studio, and it is what I plan to purchase for myself. Prices are good, and the remote triggers are reliable, way less expensive than pocket wizards. I am told by pros at the studio to stay away from any brands "entry" level lightstand, as they are typically not very sturdy, etc. Alienbees has a good mid-weight stand, and for a bit more, the air-compressor stand keeps the shafts from compressing all at once and putting a nice hard g-shock on your light. The lights will also take normal lightbulbs for the modeling light.
03/10/2009 05:07:05 PM · #5
I will second or third the Alien Bees, They are light weight and each light comes with a carrying bag, so they are very portable, You would also have an option of a power pack for shoots where electricity is not available. Besides being a very decent product for the price, They stand alone in customer service, some of the best I have dealt with online. Fast and Friendly. It is quite a cool feeling to fire off the Bee's for the first time, they make this really cool popping sound, much louder then an onboard flash or speedlight. It is a feeling of power. Ofcourse then you look at the picture you just took and see that everything is totally blown out because full power is mighty bright, Turn power down and they perform lighting magic and still make that awesome popping sound.

Message edited by author 2009-03-10 17:15:38.
03/10/2009 07:21:09 PM · #6
isnt there cheaper options for triggers its just i would rather not pay too much combined?

plus on the DigiBee package HERE is it worth upgrading to the B800's im not too sure what the difference is i presume a power term of some kind i am really novice in terms of ligthing
plus does anyone by chance know the SHipping cost to the UK?
03/10/2009 07:38:09 PM · #7
It looks like, at that link, you can mix and match the two lights. The studio near me has mostly 800's (twice the max power as the 400).

If I were buying today, I would likely go for two 800's. The 1600 is so powerful you really crank it down most of the time. If you planned to do a lot of outdoor work, you might need that power, I guess.

You could go 1 400, and 1 800, and save $55.

I am a novice with the lighting, too. You can also do a LOT with ONE light and reflectors, etc, but if you can afford to get two at the outset, I'd say go for it. But one light, a decent sized softbox, and reflectors are a real good start. You can set the second light to slave off the main light, so one trigger can get you by, too. The shoot thru umbrella is nice and soft light, similar to softbox, and the silver white umbrella will provide a more focused, sharper light--I think you can remove the silver and use it as a white reflector umbrella, too. You can shoot thru it, but it is not as translucent as the shoot thru umbrella.

The instructor at my last lighting workshop said the best value investment one can make for lighting is the purchase of a 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 reflector set :-)

I have heard over and over again how helpful the staff is there, so a phone call to them might save you a bunch of bucks, since you could describe you near and longer term plans, and they can help you avoid buying something that only meets your current needs, and will need an upgrade later.

They should also be able to help you with shipping costs to UK (or maybe they have a dealer in the UK somewhere that they could tell you about). In fact, I would call them anyway once you have prepped your order just to make sure you have everything you need--would suck to get everything and find you need some cable or something to make it work...

ETA: the studio get different color housings for the units--one color for 800s, another for 400s. Helps see what it is from a distance, or in dim lighting as you open bags, and such :-)

Message edited by author 2009-03-10 19:53:03.
03/10/2009 07:51:26 PM · #8
[oops]

Message edited by author 2009-03-10 19:51:55.
03/11/2009 08:11:05 AM · #9
I think i have decided that i am definetly going to buy alien bees a 400 and a 800 as you said and looking around i can easily get it converted to UKpower currencys by the company too for only $10 and ill ship it too relaitves in America to save on tax and shipping costs.

unless anyone can advise any better lights that have distributors in europe for around the same price. I looked at Elchrim i think but looking at comparisons between there D-Lites-2 and Digi bee packages they dont come out well!

I have one more question for the community using my Nikon D60 (I highly likely wont be upgrading for a long time unless osmeone gives me one) how can i trigger the flashes. I have seen the cybersyncs from alien bee but there abit too expensive for me at the moment!
I want a cheap solution wire or infra-red or radio i dont mind but i want a cheap way of doing it and will i need adapters etc im really not sure on setting these up i know how to use them but not to set them up

And thanks everyone by the way
03/11/2009 10:15:07 AM · #10
Try the Cactus V2's. They are a radio trigger, very cheap ($36.99 with batteries for a sender and reciever), and I have had no problems with them as long as you aren't shooting from long distances. I have had only good experiences ordering from Midwest too.

Edit: I didn't know that Alien Bee would convert their systems to 220 volts. That's awesome as I live in Germany. Can you send me the link to where they do that or did you have to talk with them directly?

Message edited by author 2009-03-11 10:16:30.
03/11/2009 11:42:45 AM · #11
Im not sure if Alien Bee still offers this, but when I bought my lights from them. I got a 5% discount per light on accessories purchased with the light order. I bought 4 lights so I got a 20% discount on all the accessories that I purchased along with the lights. I tried to get everything I needed in one order to get it all at 20% off. So if you purchase 2 lights you should get 10% off the cost of the remote triggers.
03/11/2009 03:58:37 PM · #12
Thanks david those Cactus certainly are tempting! I saw the conversion details on other forums etc when i was comparing products etc. you have to email them directly i am going to tonight so i can tell you as soon as they get back to me if you want?

Bugzeye im not sure if that still applies on there packages i was going to Buy the DigiBee but i have seen that you can create your own package so i think i maybe will review it in light of that! Thanks
03/11/2009 04:09:14 PM · #13
Yea, let me know. I hate using transformers because they eat up alot of electricity.
03/11/2009 04:58:38 PM · #14
in europe I found a website www.studioflash.be that carries two brands that seem of good value (elfo and illustart). Some intersting studio flash starting at 100EUR apiece

03/11/2009 05:00:49 PM · #15
Originally posted by Bugzeye:

Im not sure if Alien Bee still offers this, but when I bought my lights from them. I got a 5% discount per light on accessories purchased with the light order. I bought 4 lights so I got a 20% discount on all the accessories that I purchased along with the lights. I tried to get everything I needed in one order to get it all at 20% off. So if you purchase 2 lights you should get 10% off the cost of the remote triggers.


Yes, I think two lights gets you a 10% discount on other items, so their triggers might come closer to your range :-)
03/13/2009 05:04:36 AM · #16
David, got a response:
We do offer the AlienBee lights in 220V for an extra $10 per light – if you get a 220V Bee you will need a step up/step down transformer to run it off the Vagabond II if you ever decide to get it in the future
Included a question about using a power supply incase you were wondering!

I think im going to go ahead and order 1light for the moment as soon as i have the money and someone to ship to in the US
03/13/2009 10:23:42 AM · #17
Are you going to order the limited edition orange?

Originally posted by wacksonjackson:

David, got a response:
We do offer the AlienBee lights in 220V for an extra $10 per light – if you get a 220V Bee you will need a step up/step down transformer to run it off the Vagabond II if you ever decide to get it in the future
Included a question about using a power supply incase you were wondering!

I think im going to go ahead and order 1light for the moment as soon as i have the money and someone to ship to in the US
03/13/2009 12:51:20 PM · #18
its a tough decision i mean they are only making a 1000 but i like the sound of the green ones but i need the money first anyway should have it definetly within a month i think! so i have some time to choose
03/13/2009 01:01:38 PM · #19
Originally posted by Bugzeye:

Are you going to order the limited edition orange?


AFAIK the orange ones are only available to the US and can only be ordered by phone... Ive been contemplating on trying to scrounge up the funds to get a SB400 or the 800 when I go down in April to legally avoid duty and shipping charges to Canada as for the time Im staying down there I can bring back I think its $750 duty free :) which Ill never use up lol

ETA* from the bees site:

Only 2000 of these lovely specimens will be produced and this color will not be offered again once they are gone.

Each Flame Orange AlienBees B800 comes with Certificate of Authenticity hand signed by Paul C. Buff, and bears a numbered limited edition sticker on the unit itself.

Why? AlienBees™ users are an adventuresome group of people. So here's your chance to to have a real collectors item in your studio. Who knows, maybe they'll sell for $5000 on eBay down the line!

The price? Same as a regular B800 - $279.95. We're not in this for the money, but for the adventure. But it's absolutely first come, first served. When they're gone, they're gone.

TERMS:
This item is available only to customers in the USA and must be ordered by phone (1-800-443-5542, Local 615-383-3982). Student discounts do not apply to this offer. There is a strict limit of two per customer.

Message edited by author 2009-03-13 13:04:16.
03/13/2009 01:04:31 PM · #20
Thanks for the info. Oh, BTW, the radio triggers I mentioned are available today in the V4 version. Same price but they look way better and are supposed to be better built. I don't have the website though.

Message edited by author 2009-03-13 13:06:12.
03/13/2009 01:39:17 PM · #21
see i was thinking hmmm limited edition.. a investment but i may be able to get them as i may get my order shipped to some relatives then on to me as a "gift" anyone know how much the max price is though on "gift"?

and cheers david i think im gona go for a cactus actually! is there an actual cactus site? i found a place selling the V4's and reviews but i wanted more detail on them

Message edited by author 2009-03-13 13:44:56.
03/15/2009 07:57:39 AM · #22
No idea if they have their own website.
03/24/2009 03:02:12 PM · #23
I too am looking at the Cactus triggers but I'm waiting to get the newest version V4. I have an old canon 430ex that I hear won't work with the V2's, even though the company states they do.

Cactus V2 flash Triggers Company website.

Cactus V4 flash Triggers - Currently unavailable! Flickr discussion/review.

Message edited by author 2009-03-24 15:02:59.
03/24/2009 06:54:35 PM · #24
Going for Nikon SB-800's now since their discontinued though I’m finding it harder to find a retailer and I don’t want to fork out for the 900's but I’m going to wait for the V4's definitely! Thanks for the links!
03/25/2009 01:55:13 PM · #25
I just received an email from Gadget Infinity today saying the V4's should be available by the end of this week, maybe beginning of next.
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