New to Alienbees, few questions.

[SupaDave03]

Now im kinda on the fence now seeing as how i just bought 2 AB1600 and softboxes,stands ans what not ans paid alot more than 850...I havent tested them out but yall are making me wonder if i should take the AB's back.. Is the inconsistant lighting just with the AB what about the Einstien or white lighting I want to stick with Paul C. Buff products.

[kayumangi]

Its precisely why paul buff released the einsteins. The AB arent consistent over long periods of shooting but then again if you're not shooting commercial images the color shift is negligible specially for weddings and outdoor portraits. I like my ABs precisely because they so easy to replace in case they break. And they are lighter to carry around.

[arich]

Originally Posted by Admiral_A300

and/or persuader, lol.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by kayumangi

Its precisely why paul buff released the einsteins. The AB arent consistent over long periods of shooting but then again if you're not shooting commercial images the color shift is negligible specially for weddings and outdoor portraits. I like my ABs precisely because they so easy to replace in case they break. And they are lighter to carry around.

Alienbees B800 320w/s lights weigh 2.9lbs.
Elinchrom D-Lite 4 400w/s lights weigh 2.86lbs

The Elinchrom also has a nice little handle:


The Elinchrom set also comes with a bag that fits two strobes AND the power cords and other accessories. The Bees? Not so much.

The Einsteins do have some nice features, but they are also hard to get ahold of because PCB can't keep up with it.

Just like with the camera debate - I'd rather have great lenses than great cameras. The modifiers mean everything with strobes. It is really hard to beat Elinchrom's modifiers.

[kayumangi]

Didn't know about the weight difference.

True about the Einsteins though, I'm still waiting for my v2 update notice but I love it.

As for modifiers, that's debatable it really depends on where you use them. For weddings and portraits I want to carry light, so either just an umbrella or an 8" reflector with grid.

I only wished they'd start releasing PLM2 I've been in back order limbo forever.

[Tom]

. Is the inconsistant lighting just with the AB what about the Einstien or white lighting

White Lighting has the same problem. Einsteins are either consistent or fast, depending on the setting. But they are also a lot more expensive than the Bees.

I want to stick with Paul C. Buff products.

Why?

As for modifiers, that's debatable it really depends on where you use them.

What's debatable? Better modifiers make for better light. And the whole purpose of having these are to make great light. Why settle for less than great light.

If someone wants to bring an AlienBee and a PCB Beauty Dish over to my house to compare with my Elinchrom DLite+BD, I'm all for it.

For weddings and portraits I want to carry light, so either just an umbrella or an 8" reflector with grid.

I do too, but I will usually bring my beauty dish. It is worth it for the great light. If I am really traveling light, I will just have my speedlights (I have 8 Speedlights now.)

I only wished they'd start releasing PLM2 I've been in back order limbo forever.

Yeah, I have thought about getting that. I know Dustin Snipes likes it a lot.

[kayumangi]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

What's debatable? Better modifiers make for better light. And the whole purpose of having these are to make great light. Why settle for less than great light.

If someone wants to bring an AlienBee and a PCB Beauty Dish over to my house to compare with my Elinchrom DLite+BD, I'm all for it.

True but then how sure are you the PCB modifiers are less than great compared to Elinchrom's? If I'm getting the results I want and my customers are happy then perhaps my PCB modifiers aren't as bad as you think.

And since PCB's stuff are cheaper then I'm getting a better deal as far as ROI.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by kayumangi

True but then how sure are you the PCB modifiers are less than great compared to Elinchrom's? If I'm getting the results I want and my customers are happy then perhaps my PCB modifiers aren't as bad as you think.

And since PCB's stuff are cheaper then I'm getting a better deal as far as ROI.

I've compared side by side. Also compared photoflex, as I have a few of their boxes. Elinchrom wins hands down.

PCB doesn't make a 53" or larger octobox. I paid ~$215 for my 53" Elinchrom Rotalux octobox. Elinchrom also has a 69" and a 72"
PCB also doesn't make a large 27" Beauty Dish.
PCB doesn't make a deep throat Octobox (go look for reviews on the 39" deep throat that Elinchrom makes.)

Better lights and modifiers would make for better pictures. You could have clients happy with portraits with an 18-55, but it wouldn't be the best you could give them, would it?

[kayumangi]

Can't argue about the octobox but then again I don't use them a lot since I primarily use umbrellas/PLMs

As for BDs, for my needs, I want them smaller so PCB is sufficient although I bought a smaller one from OECamera.

Like I said I agree better lights and modifiers would make better pictures but then it also depends on where you use them and what purpose. Comparing PCB to a 18-55 kit is unfair they're not as bad as you think. Heck Zack Arias still uses ABs on his band shoots.


That's why I said modifiers are debatable we can go on and on but in the end of the day it depends on where we use them and our preferences.

Right now I'm quite content with my PCB stuff I'll only consider switching when the need arises.

[arich]

Um, I'm a NATURAL LIGHT photographer, I don't think that you need fancy equipment to translate the beauty of a picture. I think photography is about telling true stories with each image and when you use all these lights and equipment you're just faking it.

[ldelacruz]

AB's are more consistent if you use them above 1/4 power and less than 3/4 power. The inconsistentcy is not that bad but I noticed 1 out of 20 was a little off. Once Captain Tom told me about the preferred power setting I have seen an improvement and haven't noticed the inconsistent output. If the Elinchrom's are close to the same price I would get those over the AB's.

[SupaDave03]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

Why?

Becuase I just bought alot of stuff and dont want to have to take it all back and start over, and like most people have said the lights are good so im a give them a chance before i give up on them i have 60 days if not happy then ill return them.

[STPStudio]

I absolutely love my White Lightning units.