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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Tell me about your Bee's...alien that is.
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12/11/2007 08:28:09 AM · #1
Id love to get a profoto light setup but at the moment, just cant justify the expense so I am looking at some lower end lights,specifically the alien bees. I was looking for comments from those that have them and have used them for a while. Just the little things like their durability, ease of attaching acessories like softboxes etc. Do you find them powerfull enough for your intended use etc. Any little quirks, comments on their wireless triggers (ala digibee kit) or their wired 4 light control (ala busy bee kit). Overall input appreciated.
12/11/2007 09:08:31 AM · #2
Pretty much all of the studio shots in my portfolio were taken with Alien Bee lights. I think they're great, and even though they are priced very reasonably, I definitely wouldn't consider them to be "lower end". You'll find a lot of DPC'ers here who use them, and I doubt there will be many complaints. If you are considering getting some, my advice would be to go for it!
12/11/2007 09:18:51 AM · #3
Thanks for the input Pixlmaker, are you using the 400's, 800's, 1600's or a combo of them?
12/11/2007 09:21:35 AM · #4
Hi Kaveran
i have 2 AB1600 and an AB800 but I wish I just bought the 1600's and not the 800.
Also, Ideally I would have another 1600 too.

An i LOVE my alien bee's!
They work great and you can't beat the small size and weight.
BTW, get the wireless trigger, it's worth it!
E
12/11/2007 09:35:17 AM · #5
Originally posted by Kaveran:

Thanks for the input Pixlmaker, are you using the 400's, 800's, 1600's or a combo of them?


I started with one of their kits, which has 2 400's in it. I then added an 800. I also have stands, umbrellas, one soft box, boom arm, and wireless kit from them (I also recommend the inexpensive wireless kit--it works great, and is dead easy to use). I also have their power pack for using them away from any electrical outlet, but I admit I haven't used it hardly at all yet. I want to get their ring flash and diffuser, but that's down the road a little. Hey AB, if you are reading this, how about an endorsement for all my patronage. :)
12/11/2007 09:53:10 AM · #6
I got myself the Busy bee set about a month ago, and they have already proven themselves invaluable! they are great lights, definatle not 'Low end', they prices are great for what you get... and you get a fair bit... they're worth the money.
12/11/2007 10:39:59 AM · #7
Thanks for the input gang. Dont get me wrong here when I say low end, I dont think they are junk by any means(if they were I wouldnt consider getting them), but at the same time they are no high end setup either.

Anyway, any comments on their stands, speed rings, softboxes etc? Do they all seem pretty sturdy etc?

mrorange002, why do you say you wish you had gotten the 1600 instead of the 800? Is the 800 not putting out enough light and what scenario do you find the light of the 800's inadequate?
12/11/2007 11:19:32 AM · #8
I got mine a month or so ago -- they're great! And the customer service is also top-notch. I had a faulty wireless trigger (it was firing somewhat randomly), and when I called them an actual human answered the phone and immediately sent out a new part. Great people to deal with.
12/11/2007 02:52:41 PM · #9
You might look at Lumedyne also. I have their portable kit and it's awesome. Not knocking Bees they rock as well. I'll be moving up to them next season.
12/11/2007 03:02:32 PM · #10
I also love my alien bees setup, i can't really imagine having anything else actually....I cart them around EVERYWHERE since I am in college in a dorm. I have 1 B800 and 1 B400, a softbox, umbrella, stands and the wireless setup which all have never failed me. I am looking to get another B800 and a B1600 to complete my kit but i can't afford it yet. :)
01/18/2008 07:16:46 PM · #11
Could anyone tell me if the Alien Bees 1600 will fire slave flashes? such as Nikon SB-600's?
01/18/2008 07:20:29 PM · #12
Originally posted by stephenburton7:

Could anyone tell me if the Alien Bees 1600 will fire slave flashes? such as Nikon SB-600's?


Monolights like the Bee's will not fire the SB-600 but they will fire the SB-800 in SU-4 mode. I have two monolights (Not bee's but bee's are great) and 2 SB-800's I use off camera. I keep the SB-600 on camera to trigger everything.
01/18/2008 07:23:15 PM · #13
awesome, thanks!
01/18/2008 07:24:00 PM · #14
I use 160 w/s (equivalent to AB 400s) Impact strobes. They're great, not pink, but well made and use standard Bowens light modifiers.

The kit
01/18/2008 09:22:13 PM · #15
Have a look at the Paterson Interfit Stellar strobes. B&H carries them, a pair with stands and all is $500 (300ws units - equivalent to AB800s). They have less powerful and more powerful ones.
I got 4 of them and use the devil out of them and never an issue, 2+ years now of professional use in the studio and on location, even got one soaked in the rain once.
01/18/2008 09:26:53 PM · #16
I have 2 B800s and 2 B400s. They are plenty for me. In my studio I rarely put them over half power.

They have fans and are built well. I also got the Alien Bee wireless TX/RX ($39.95 each) and it works perfect.
01/18/2008 11:50:55 PM · #17
I have two 800's and one 1600, and I love them. They're so powerful I almost NEVER use them at full power. In fact most of the time I find myself using them on the lower power settings. I also bought the Vagabond portable power source and really like that for shooting outdoors, but you can only shoot about 250 shots before it runs out of juice. The only AB products I've bought so far that I thought were low quality are their umbrellas and light stands - two out of my three umbrellas broke within the first few uses, and two light stands are now missing screws. (Their expensive "heavy duty" stand is great though.) My suggestion: go for the AB lights but get your accessories elsewhere.
01/19/2008 03:40:21 PM · #18
i just bought the B1600.

It's super bright. Even on low power. haha. It's great!
01/20/2008 03:08:01 AM · #19
I used to use WL X1600's and AB800's. I felt the 100W modeling lamps on the ABs were weak. While it's possible to be precise with the sliders, they were more tedious to control than I liked. I didn't like running an extra set of cables to use the corded remote. They worked and they put out the light I wanted eventually, but I wasn't completely gung-ho about them.

I sold them and went with a portable setup for awhile (Visatec Litepac). I'm currently stocking the studio with Speedotron Blackline, heavy but reliable and cheap.
01/20/2008 06:29:36 AM · #20
Very Interesting. I had been looking at Alien Bee's...
01/20/2008 07:17:26 AM · #21
I bought the Busy-Bee package a couple of months ago, but never really had the chance to use them until last night. Came with 4 x AB800's, heavy-duty stands, the Giant Softbox, 2 umbrellas, etc.

Just did my first real studio shoot with them, and WOW. I can't say enough about them - all high quality, and the results are stellar. I'd post some pics, but it's for a challenge - so that'll have to wait.

I'd say if you're thinking about it - don't wait. You won't be sorry :O)
01/20/2008 06:50:11 PM · #22
Pffft., nevermind...

Message edited by author 2008-01-20 18:54:41.
01/20/2008 07:56:04 PM · #23
Originally posted by Kaveran:

Just the little things like their durability, ease of attaching acessories like softboxes etc.


To answer those questions specifically, I've dropped a few and aside from dented reflectors and broken modeling lamps and fans, they still worked. They're also finicky with power (flashes will sometimes go off on their own if power going to them isn't too clean). I know of a few people that've experienced blown caps, but fortunately none of mine blew up. For durability, I guess you can't really do much better in that price range unless you're looking at used gear from other brands (which actually isn't all that bad).

I can't say the same about their accessories. I've broken knobs on a few heavy duty stands and a boom. The boom was bent so much that the arm wouldn't retract and the clamshell wouldn't hold unless it was really torqued down (bleagh, plastic). I'm not a fan of Balcar mount. You have to be careful in making sure all 4 arms are aligned with your modifier. Attaching softboxes was tedious, enough so that we just left them attached instead of taking them on and off. The Paul Buff reflectors aren't parabolic, dent very easily (though cheap to replace), and have the lighting characteristics of a shop light (if you care about that kind of stuff then I recommend Balcar reflectors if you can find them).

So in short, the lights themeselves aren't bad at all as long as you're careful with them. There are plenty of alternatives as far as modifiers and accessories so shop around (if it matters).
01/20/2008 08:29:38 PM · #24
Don't know if it has been mentioned...just skimmed the thread, but their wireless trigger system sometimes is a little hairy. I recall reading that a few people sent their receivers back to be replaced, and I will have to do that as well. One works fine, but one has a mind of it's own flashing like a disco strobe.

-drew

Message edited by author 2008-01-22 15:38:38.
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