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12/07/2004 09:48:41 PM · #1 |
DigiBee Package
Is this a good deal? I've been borrowing a superb set of lights from school, Photogenic brand. I'm thinking of buying my own set of lights, what are your thoughts on this package?
Thanks! |
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12/07/2004 10:01:23 PM · #2 |
I'm waiting for that particular order. Plus grids, softbox (had to upgrade to 13ft stand for the box), and the remote thingamajig. Havenât found one bad post about them. Only good things. The same set up was twice that at Samyâs but they were name brand, Hensel, I think. They arenât the best but the best is more than I and probably you want to spend. The guy at the local camera shop commented , âthey are great lights.â Lori helped me, she is very cool. Also you get a 60 day money back guarantee. Iâll post again when I get them set up and Iâve figured out how they work. There due on Fri. Iâm reading the beginners guide to lighting so my opinion isnât worth much but worth something, I like to think of myself as a great shopper though. Good luck and will repot back.
Message edited by author 2004-12-07 22:04:17.
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12/07/2004 10:09:29 PM · #3 |
| i won't knock Alien Bee's, but the one time I used them I was struck by the plastic casing and thought they looked a little cheap. then again, I've been spoiled by working with photogs that had some really nice set-ups. I have used and recomend the Paul Buff line called White Lightning/Zap... very durable with an alloy housing. probably a little more expensive though. good luck! |
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12/09/2004 02:52:31 AM · #4 |
Re: Alien Bees. Got all me lights 2-800, and etc. today. Just finished unpacking to test firing with camera and remote, etc. Am very pleased with the lights. The stands are better than I thought they would be. The 13 ft is very nice and if I buy another light will get it instead of the 10 ft. but 10 ft. still very good for the money. The umbrellas are sturdy. The soft box seems like it will hold up. The face plate for holding reflectors and soft box w/ speed ring is very good. It makes sense that these are about the best you will get for the amount of money they want. The remote is flimsy, but electronics, whatayagonna due. The grids, well, watch out you donât put your finger thru the Honeycomb part of it like I almost did. Handle with caution. Lotsa profit in those grids, 25 bucks a piece, ouch. Am very pleased and feel like I have a nice set of lights.
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12/09/2004 07:44:51 AM · #5 |
| We bought the DigiBeee package at my office, but upgraded to B800 lights. One of the umbrellas collapses at the slightest touch, but otherwise I love them. I want a set for home. |
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12/11/2004 11:11:48 PM · #6 |
Thanks everyone.
Will I notice a difference between the 400 and 800 lights? |
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12/11/2004 11:43:47 PM · #7 |
Only if you are lighting a large area. For small studio shots, the B400s are probably fine. We upgraded to B800 lights at my office just in case we ever have to light something big (like a car).
Message edited by author 2004-12-11 23:45:17. |
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12/12/2004 12:03:34 AM · #8 |
I use two 800 with umbrellas and they have more power than i've ever had to use. One thing with alien bees is that you really dont save that much by buyng a package, i think its a 5%savings. What i did was but one 800 with accesories and then when i had more money i bought another. You definatly need at least two lights to get great shots.
Bottom line is that I love my allien bees
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12/12/2004 07:59:54 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by kevinswope:
I use two 800 with umbrellas and they have more power than i've ever had to use. One thing with alien bees is that you really dont save that much by buyng a package, i think its a 5%savings. What i did was but one 800 with accesories and then when i had more money i bought another. You definatly need at least two lights to get great shots.
Bottom line is that I love my allien bees |
You can create your own package and still get the package discounts. The discount is based on the number of lights you purchase on that order. One light gets 5 percent off the rest of your order (everything not a strobe), two gets 10 percent, three gets 15 percent and four lights gets you 20 percent off the rest of your order. The discount caps out at four lights. Considering the cost of the accessories, this can be a nice chunk of money.
If you are a student, you can get 10 percent off your entire order (including strobes) but you cannot combine it with the 'package' discount.
As to the Alien Bees quality, it is professional quality. Yes they have plastic bodies, but plastic isn't exactly just for 2 liter jugs of coke anymore. Alien Bee strobes have been used in many Areas to light basketball and hockey games for pros... right along side the white lightnings and lumadynes(sp?).
You also do not need two or more lights for great shots. Check out this link for some one strobe portaits that are quite impressive: //www.filmlessphotos.ca/OneFlashIndex.htm
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12/12/2004 09:02:10 PM · #10 |
I have two 800s & one 400. They are great lights for the money. I would however suggest buying the lights alone and not a premade or custom package. The stands umbrellas, etc. are decent quality, but even with the package discount they aren't as good a deal as what you can get else where (I would suggest Giottos or SmithVictor stand & Photgentic umbrellas). One exception is the softbox. Even with it's unconventional design and assembly difficulties it's a great deal compared with other alternatives.
One last tip is to buy the spare UV flash tube. It provides better color consistancy than the stock tube, and then you will have the stock tube as a backup. They will give you a discount on the tube when you buy the lights ($19.95 when I bought mine last year). |
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12/12/2004 09:10:26 PM · #11 |
| Well I'll go for the student discount so I can get 10% off the lights too. Thanks, guys! |
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12/12/2004 09:15:25 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by kent:
I have used and recomend the Paul Buff line called White Lightning/Zap |
FYI Paul buff makes the alien bees. |
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