AlienBees or Photogenic

[mchong75]

This poll is going to consist of personal preference, product quality, reliability, etc.

I know there are loyal fans for both the AlienBees product and the Photogenic products. (Mainly the flash units)

So, vote and let me know which one of these two you own, want, would prefer, etc.

[darktiger]

I recently went through the same question. I decided on a Alienbee 800, and love it. Great unit. I would make the same decision again.

[bondarnes]

I own three Photogenic Powerlights and two White Lightning monolights. I would rate them as pretty much equal watt/second to watt/second. The Alien Bees are the cheaper cousins to the White Lightnng and Photogenic also has an economy line. I would assume that they also would be about equal in a head to head evaluation. The real question would be light modification and ease of use. I think that Photogenic has a slight edge in these departments, although they do not have a ringlight.

[PhotoByLeal]

I would have to agree with Don, Photogenic is the way to go!

What matters at the end of the day,
is what you like not what everybody else likes!

Ask on this forum to find out who lives close to you, that might be willing to let you test out the Bees or the Photogenics lights. That way you can test them out before you BUY them!

I love the lighting on my Photogenic lights, even more now with the Elinchrom Octa Box! I know of at least 6 Pro Photographers in Houston + Don = 7, that use Photogenics and have no complains! There is probably more thou....

Good Luck....

Later,
Angel

[JaertX]

I have both, the Powerlight 1250s and an AB 800. None of them get heavy use, so it might not matter a lot, but at some point I will sell the Alien Bee.

[LEATHERNECK]

Have used the white lighting line since its conception from the white "bucket" and now the alien bee. Hard working rugged simple use lights..and good customer service. Like Don stated the modification tools are a consideration but have managed ok all these years.

[sldi]

I used to sell Photogenic equipment but I bought Alien Bees. The Photogenics are great lights but I am able to get into Nashville some and can visit the showroom at Paul C. Buff and see the lights first hand. But the modifiers for the Bees aren't quite up to par with the lights.

[AndrewCCM]

I have 3 AB800's and use Photogenic 320's as well. Without a doubt, the Photogenics are better for the $. Especially, the AC/DC models. Basically, the same wattsecs... Better made, and accept DC power.. Also have better modeling lights...and at basically the same or slightly higher price.

No brainer for me. All future monolights (on the inexpensive side) will be Photogenics. I am considering a new Profoto system at some point, but have to justify that expenditure first.

[CobyPhoto]

Another vote for photogenic on strobes. Angel may know of a few, but I know at least 15 studios in Houston that ALL use photogenic lighting exclusively. And these are studios that use their strobes daily.

I have used Alien Bee strobes, and I don't think the build is as solid or high of quality as the Photogenics, and the light modifiers are definitely NOT as good or as easy to use. I love the quick change feature of the photogenic's.

If you intend to use them real regular, it is no choice: Photogenic.

Occasional use and price a factor: Alien Bees.

CJ

[iCe]

Photogenic... the modeling light on the Photogenic is a real modeling light... not a back porch light... I've had both...

[mchong75]

Thanks for the inputs everyone.

[picman]

We had a 25+ year old Photogenic Flashmaster that, up to the day that it died with a pyrotechnic display, was very dependable.

It was replaced with what I hoped to be three equally dependable Photogenic Powerlight 1250DR lights.

After about 2 or 3 months one of them died when it took a bump when lowering a stand, not a big bump, a little one like 4-5 in of stand extension.

This week I just sent another off for repair after it failed to flash (not the tube). That one was used as a backlight and was not used hard or even moved. I’m now waiting the hear what the bill be as they are over two years old and out of warranty.

Pluses:
Loved these lights for the control and remote operation.

Negatives: Larger light modifiers like my half-dome and octodome would disengage from the light if you not careful when rotating them. This might also occur with other lights.

Dependability or bad luck?

[Shelby Lane]

I have had no problems with my Photogenics, and they have a better mount system than the Alien Bees for larger softboxes. I do have Bees in the studio as background and accent lights, and they do have fantastic customer service. But having used both as a main light, I would choose the Photogenics every time.

[picman]

Mailed unit off on 8/12 and received it back on 9/2.
Total cost was $191., which is their price on any repair unless new capacitors are needed. I think they told me that they were $40 each.

Originally Posted by picman

We had a 25+ year old Photogenic Flashmaster that, up to the day that it died with a pyrotechnic display, was very dependable.

It was replaced with what I hoped to be three equally dependable Photogenic Powerlight 1250DR lights.

After about 2 or 3 months one of them died when it took a bump when lowering a stand, not a big bump, a little one like 4-5 in of stand extension.

This week I just sent another off for repair after it failed to flash (not the tube). That one was used as a backlight and was not used hard or even moved. I’m now waiting the hear what the bill be as they are over two years old and out of warranty.

Pluses:
Loved these lights for the control and remote operation.

Negatives: Larger light modifiers like my half-dome and octodome would disengage from the light if you not careful when rotating them. This might also occur with other lights.

Dependability or bad luck?

[bearcub]

I use Photogenic 1250 myself and I love them. I really have very little experience with the Bees except for a one time shoot I did in NJ.