Forums > Photography Talk > Photogenic StudioMax III or alien bee ab800

Photographer

Jason Kable

Posts: 258

Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

HI I'm thinking of buying monolight stobe and I am thinking of getting the Photogenic  StudioMax III or alien bee ab800 I'm from aus.

heres details

Photogenic  StudioMax III from B&H      $319   

StudioMax III Constant Color 320 Watt/Second Monolight NOT fan cooled
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control … 233&is=REG


alien bee ab800            $394 usD  including post to aus
320 true Ws, 800 effective Ws,  14,000 Ls
   â€¢ 5 f-stop power range (full to 1/32nd power)
   â€¢ 2.9 pounds total weight
FAN COOLED
http://www.alienbees.com/b800.html



What ya's think is better deal and better strobe

Jan 10 08 12:52 am Link

Photographer

NYPHOTOGRAPHICS

Posts: 1466

FRESH MEADOWS, New York, US

The alienbee!   Why?  Because if you say anything else, including but not limited too a Broncolor pack and head and battery for free,  the alinbeebots will go off the deep end and you will never hear the end of it from them,  so it must be by default the better deal.

Stephen Eastwood
http://www.StephenEastwood.com

Jan 10 08 01:08 am Link

Photographer

Mark A Herbert Photogra

Posts: 42

Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

For my money it was the "Bees", I've had no problems with them and the company is quite good when it comes to customer service. But like everthing in life, it's only an opinion. Which is like an A@#$*&! everyone's got one.

Jan 10 08 01:16 am Link

Photographer

BlindMike

Posts: 9594

San Francisco, California, US

NYPHOTOGRAPHICS wrote:
the alinbeebots will go off the deep end and you will never hear the end of it from them

Buwhahahaha *keels over*

Jan 10 08 01:23 am Link

Photographer

StephenEastwood

Posts: 19585

Great Neck, New York, US

Mark A Herbert Photogra wrote:
For my money it was the "Bees", I've had no problems with them and the company is quite good when it comes to customer service. But like everthing in life, it's only an opinion. Which is like an A@#$*&! everyone's got one.

And they usually stink? 

Sorry just had to finish that statement off.

Nothing about alienbees they are very good value for the money, and the customer service I hear is beyond anyone else's, so its money well spent.

Stephen Eastwood
http://www.StephenEastwood.com

Jan 10 08 01:27 am Link

Photographer

Veteres Vitri

Posts: 1994

MAYLENE, Alabama, US

photo.net has a couple of user reviews about the studiomax III.

Jan 10 08 01:31 am Link

Photographer

Jason Kable

Posts: 258

Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

the postage for alien bees is double photogenics. ivé heard alot of good things about alien bee's but ivé read some stuff from alien bee buyers that wished they got photogenics. are the 2 strobes pretty much the same? if AB's postage was better i'd go for them but for international buyers postage is way too much.

Jan 10 08 01:39 am Link

Photographer

StephenEastwood

Posts: 19585

Great Neck, New York, US

jasbleh2 wrote:
the postage for alien bees is double photogenics. ivé heard alot of good things about alien bee's but ivé read some stuff from alien bee buyers that wished they got photogenics. are the 2 strobes pretty much the same? if AB's postage was better i'd go for them but for international buyers postage is way too much.

I hear much good about the alienbees as long as you know the limitations of the lights you are buying, same goes for the studiomax about limitations, I have heard little about the lights themselves, usually I hear good things about photogenics higher range.

Stephen Eastwood
http://www.StephenEastwood.com

Jan 10 08 02:06 am Link

Photographer

eyelight

Posts: 1598

Moorpark, California, US

I have, and use, both.  The photogenics are more consistent and have more modifiers than the AB's and are less bulky. However, the recycle time on the AB's is substantially faster.

Jan 10 08 02:09 am Link

Photographer

StephenEastwood

Posts: 19585

Great Neck, New York, US

I think the alienbee flash duration is also quite fast.

Stephen Eastwood
http://www.StephenEastwood.com

Jan 10 08 02:23 am Link

Photographer

Alex Minkin

Posts: 675

Birmingham, Michigan, US

i have 3 ab800's, and im saving up to get more. theyre great lights- in quality of build, light, durability, and ease of use. i cant recommend them enough

Jan 10 08 02:27 am Link

Photographer

Jason Kable

Posts: 258

Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

Anyone know of any isues with the photogenic??


Photogenic 
StudioMax III Constant Color AC/DC 320 Watt/Second Monolight (120V ...
MFR #906939  •  B&H #PHSM2320ACDC
Open Market
 
Our Price: Sub Total: Quantity: Remove:
$299.50  $ 299.50         



SP-Systems 
Power Pack with Charger for SP Systems AC/DC Units and Other Strobes ...
   
$123.95 

    Calculate Shipping/Tax
Australia 
   
  Sub Total: $ 423.45   
Shipping Duration:
UPS Worldwide Saver     
Tax:  $0.00 
Total:  $506.95


VS



Ab 800
$307

vagabond2
$480

shipping to australia
$230

total  $1017



??????

Jan 10 08 02:39 am Link

Photographer

Whisky - The Retoucher

Posts: 389

Los Angeles, California, US

Nope, haven't heard many problems with either brand; or any strobe brands for that matter.  Just purchase what makes sense.  AB's have good rep on the net; personally I use Photoflex because they are located in So Cal; that and my camera store only carries that brand tongue

Jan 10 08 02:44 am Link

Photographer

Opes Photography

Posts: 122

Baltimore, Maryland, US

At a time when money was tight, I went with the AB800.  Why?  Because of their customer service.  I was told by other photographers that have called for support that they ask few questions - and work with you to fix your problems. 

I also bought the moon kit and LOVE using my AB800 with the moonkit attached. I don't remember the last time I used it without the kit.  Now that I've thought about it, I'll probably go ahead and use it without the kit this weekend. 

Anyway, when I buy a product I also look at the support.  Even if the product is top notch - you may still need to call support once in a while.  I haven't needed to call them, but it is like life insurance - you don't really want to use it!  smile

Chris



jasbleh2 wrote:
HI I'm thinking of buying monolight stobe and I am thinking of getting the Photogenic  StudioMax III or alien bee ab800 I'm from aus.

heres details

Photogenic  StudioMax III from B&H      $319   

StudioMax III Constant Color 320 Watt/Second Monolight NOT fan cooled
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control … 233&is=REG


alien bee ab800            $394 usD  including post to aus
320 true Ws, 800 effective Ws,  14,000 Ls
   â€¢ 5 f-stop power range (full to 1/32nd power)
   â€¢ 2.9 pounds total weight
FAN COOLED
http://www.alienbees.com/b800.html



What ya's think is better deal and better strobe

Jan 10 08 02:49 am Link

Photographer

NYPHOTOGRAPHICS

Posts: 1466

FRESH MEADOWS, New York, US

the vagabond 2 is a better battery and power source, additionally you can run your computers and chargers from it if needed.

Stephen Eastwood
http://www.StephenEastwood.com

Jan 10 08 02:51 am Link

Photographer

NYPHOTOGRAPHICS

Posts: 1466

FRESH MEADOWS, New York, US

And your price for the vagabond seems high are sure that is correct?  not shipping just the price for the unit?

Stephen Eastwood
http://www.StephenEastwood.com

Jan 10 08 02:54 am Link

Photographer

Jason Kable

Posts: 258

Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

thats the price including there international surcharge sorry forget to write that

Jan 10 08 03:08 am Link

Photographer

NYPHOTOGRAPHICS

Posts: 1466

FRESH MEADOWS, New York, US

still high 300 plus 10% is 330, but either way I am curious, why don't they make a yellow with black stripe alienbee?  or given its alien why not a green and black stripe at least?

Stephen Eastwood
http://www.StephenEastwood.com

Jan 10 08 03:26 am Link

Photographer

criderphotography

Posts: 239

Fairfax, Virginia, US

I have 3 of the StudioMax III B strobes. The batteries suck. They never lasted that long, and in a short amount of time, stopped charging up fully. I wound up buying a couple of Tronix Explorers for remote power to replace them. The Tronix work well with the Powerlight 1250's (analog control version) too.

The StudioMax III's are fairly rugged, even though they don't feel all that solid (mine have fallen over a few times without breaking anything other than the cap that you take on and off of the business end of the strobe). The flashtube is not enclosed/encased, so you need to be careful about dropping it, since it could break the tube. The modeling lamp is only 100 Watts, which at times is sort of dim, especially if you are using a large softbox with all of the diffusers employed. There is no cooling fan, so it's quiet, and doesn't get super hot. Beyond that, mine have worked very well for me, and provide consistent output.

I had a good experience with Photogenic customer service. A sync input connector became damaged while under warranty. From the day I sent it out, it was back to me in roughly two weeks.

Greg

Jan 10 08 03:45 am Link

Photographer

LittleRaven Photography

Posts: 26

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Don't forget, that if you order lights from the US, the voltages will be different.

You will need a (largish) converter to change from the US 110v 60 hz to our 240v 50hz.

Remember to factor this into your pricing!

Jan 10 08 03:48 am Link

Photographer

Olly Y

Posts: 132

Charlotte, North Carolina, US

I have 4 studio maxes 2 320b's and 2 160's.

Great lights, I like them very much.  Recycle time maybe a bit slow on full power, I think (2-3 seconds)?  Using the batteries, it's 7 seconds for a full charge.  But it's a very light system to use on location

color temperatures are ALWAYS consistent with them.

Jan 10 08 03:54 am Link

Photographer

Jason Kable

Posts: 258

Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

LittleRaven Photography wrote:
Don't forget, that if you order lights from the US, the voltages will be different.

You will need a (largish) converter to change from the US 110v 60 hz to our 240v 50hz.

Remember to factor this into your pricing!

Yea i know i'll have to get step down transformers for them but they're not expensive. thanks for the reply

Jan 10 08 04:06 am Link

Photographer

Jason Kable

Posts: 258

Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

I'm mainly looking for something pretty very cheap with lots of accessories available. I know someone local to me that has an ab800 with vagabond so i'll go check his out. then i might be able to decide......  maybe

thanks all for ur help

Jan 10 08 04:11 am Link

Photographer

Jason Kable

Posts: 258

Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

Does anyone know of any other strobes around the same prices as above that are made in 240V dc ac

Jan 10 08 04:13 am Link

Photographer

Mal at Hidden Creek

Posts: 1227

Lovejoy, Georgia, US

jasbleh2 wrote:
Anyone know of any isues with the photogenic??

I primarily use Photogenic 2500s & 1250s in my studio work now, and I have used both the Studio Max III 320 and the AB800.  The Photogenic StudioMax is very system mobile - meaning I can use any of my Photogenic accessories on any Photogenic monolight whether its a Studiomax, 2500 or 1250. (Example: I can take a StudioMax III on location and use the Photogenic 24-inch beauty dish)

The Photogenic StudioMax does have a slightly slower recycle time at full power than my AB800, but it's consistency is flash output and color temperature outmatches the AB800.

Either unit is a good light - but if you are looking for a long-haul career in photography begin building a long-term system today - one that will last through multiple upgrades without accessories having to be replaced with each upgrade.

Jan 10 08 11:24 am Link

Photographer

Mal at Hidden Creek

Posts: 1227

Lovejoy, Georgia, US

jasbleh2 wrote:
Does anyone know of any other strobes around the same prices as above that are made in 240V dc ac

Check Elinchrome or Multibliz

Jan 10 08 11:26 am Link

Photographer

Jason Kable

Posts: 258

Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

Mal at Hidden Creek wrote:

Either unit is a good light - but if you are looking for a long-haul career in photography begin building a long-term system today - one that will last through multiple upgrades without accessories having to be replaced with each upgrade.

Ok thanks. Well Elinchrom has a Australian website so maybe they have australian service centre which could make it alot cheaper for me in the long run. I'm looking at the Elinchrom D-Lite4 Monolight - 400 Watt/Seconds (110-220V AC)  Price:  $ 384.00
what you think? would they be a good start to building a system? But what would I use for portable power? vagabond2?
I Don't really know much about strobes I do want to do photography professionally so having something that will last a long time would be great.

Jan 11 08 12:07 am Link

Photographer

Jason Kable

Posts: 258

Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

Jan 11 08 02:30 am Link