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Alien Bees
I'm thinking of picking up a set of 3 AlienBees B800 flash units. I would like to hear others "hands on" experience with AlienBees. Good or bad. I would prefer to only hear from people who have actually used them. If you haven't used them, please don't comment. Thanks a bunch! Feb 06 08 12:47 pm Link I'm also very curious, I'm looking at the 1600's. I've seen them in use and they looked good. Cheers Feb 06 08 12:48 pm Link AWESOME lights awesome customer service  Feb 06 08 12:49 pm Link I Dont Own Alien Bees Looking at the 800... I have Used them with another photographer and i love them Feb 06 08 12:49 pm Link I have them and like them. Know a lot of photographers who use them and like them too. I'm sure there are better brands but these are really good for the price. What I like most though is the company and their customer service. They are really nice, professional and helpful. I've had some issues with the receivers/transmitters and they've always been quick to replace anything, no hassle and no extra charges. I've never even had to call in, all done through email. Feb 06 08 12:51 pm Link There are many existing threads on this topic as well. Check out the Lighting, Flash, Ring, & Battery Strobe Reference thread for links to other articles and discussions. The What to Buy section lists many AB threads, including the following. * alienbees pro and cons * Alienbees * Alien Bee Lighting * AlienBees and one grand to spend (50+ posts) * Alein Bee Lights (200+ posts) * Alien Bees - Anybody Using? Pros & Cons... * Alien Bees vs JTL units Feb 06 08 12:54 pm Link I'll just get the responses out of the way for the ensuing flame war. -"I love them! I use them all the time! Great Price! Great Customer Service!" -"They are ok, you get what you pay for, there is better, but these are cheap and are fine." -"Totally shitty lights, my XXXX Brand are much more consistent, you can never be a true/real professional using Alien Bees, you need XXXX Brand, they are more consistent and only cost 10X as much... but at least you'll be able to light professionally... anyone who uses Buff's equipment is a joke." There ya go. Feb 06 08 12:55 pm Link I bought them about a year ago.... They're great. They work well in studio and are lightweight and compact enough for traveling with. You don't have to lug around power packs... I have the 800's and they offer plenty of light. I use the Brolly box (large) as well for even lighting. I recomend getting that. A lot less expensive then the softboxes and do virtually the same thing. They change out easily and are very compact as well. -Z. Feb 06 08 12:55 pm Link I have two 800's. I've only had them about a month and used them on a few shoots. The unit attached to the camera would misfire about 10 percent of the time. I unplugged the sync cord and plugged back in and it worked fine - for awhile that is. I contacted tech support and they sent another sync cord jsut a few days ago. I'll use it later today and see how it works. I am concerned. I've been told by some seasoned photogs that the misfire rate I have experienced is not acceptable. Hope this helps. If you have any other questions my email is on my profile page. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. Bob Feb 06 08 12:57 pm Link I own three of the 1600's, for me it was based on finances. Depending on how you handle your equipment they maybe veiwed as delicate. Since I can only afford to buy anything once, Im gentle with everything. But I will tell you, that nobody will give you better customer service than the guys at Alien Bees. Feb 06 08 12:57 pm Link -ASYLUM- wrote: LOL! That's the stuff I was hoping to avoid that I had seen soo much of in other posts. Thanks for helping get that out of the way! Feb 06 08 12:57 pm Link We have about 6 1600s at the studio. Never been an issue with them. We also use Speedos and ProFoto, but the majority of the time it's the ABs. Feb 06 08 12:59 pm Link -ASYLUM- wrote: Wow that covers almost all the standard replies. Feb 06 08 12:59 pm Link I recently bought their ringlight unit and couldn't be more impressed. It's lightweight, powerful, fast recycle, has modeling lights, and inexpensive. KM Feb 06 08 12:59 pm Link I have (4) AB800's and (1) ABR800. Overall I am very pleased with them. Very consistant output, small and light. The feel a little flimsy and the lightstand mounting sleeves I am convinced are gonna snap at some point with the giant softbox on them...but so far so good. The original ABR800 fired 3 times then died...I found out quickly that AB reputation for superb customer service is well deserved...they had me fixed up with a replacement in about 3 days. Bang for the buck...they are hard to touch. Feb 06 08 12:59 pm Link Shutter Simplicity Phot wrote: Thanks for the input Bob. I'll consider that carefully. You were wired to your camera? I wonder if this is an issue while using Pocket Wizards. That's what I use. Feb 06 08 01:00 pm Link I love them. I only have 1 800 at the moment but its great! You get a lot for the money. Im not sure I have any complaints. You have to plug them into grounded outlets otherwise they malfunction. I tried mine on an ungrounded outlet (thinking the company was just being cautious, and I couldn't fine a ground near by) and the strobe flashed repeatedly until I turned it off. No permanent damage though. For what ever reason they need a ground. Not that its a big deal any more, most outlets are properly grounded. Adam Feb 06 08 01:00 pm Link I used to own three of the 800's, they are great for the beginner and somoene wanting good strobes but on a budget or somoene who travels allot because they are smaller and lightweight. I traded up to speedotons, you can get three AB's for about the price of one speedotron. Feb 06 08 01:01 pm Link Brian Sugita wrote: No problems! Feb 06 08 01:04 pm Link I own two White Lightnings (WL800's) and one Alien Bee (AB800). I like them for their price. If you are like me and are shooting in a small living room space, you don't really need anything more powerful than that. Good customer service, too. Plus, who wouldn't want hot pink strobes?? Feb 06 08 01:12 pm Link I have the Bees and love the customer service, cost, and the quality of the light. I looked at the "professional" stuff and couldn't justify the difference in price. When the Vagabond battery pack was improved the Bees sent me a new inverter for free, paying all shipping costs. I don't think I will own anything else for my studio. You can't go wrong with the Bees. Feb 06 08 01:13 pm Link Just got a White Lightning X1600, WOW! What a fantastic light! I couldn't believe how much Paul Buff has improved the construction over the Ultra's I've shot with. They've allways been good, but I think they've upgraded to fantastic! After all the years I've been using thier lights, I'm a "Buff Believer"!  Feb 06 08 01:14 pm Link I have an AB800, an ABR800 ringlight, and a Vagabond II. I love them. In my studio, I mix them with my Speedotron Blackline. What a difference in weight! I've never heard anything but great things about their customer service. I never had any reasons to call customer service, but when ordering, the people there are great, and very quick getting you your stuff. Jon Feb 06 08 01:30 pm Link I'll go with standard answer #1- Love them. Lightweight. Portable. Reliable. Inexpensive. Great customer service. Feb 06 08 01:50 pm Link Ken Marcus Studios wrote: Did you pick up one of their moon units? Love this modifier on and off camera. Feb 06 08 01:58 pm Link One 1600, two 800s. No complaints whatsoever from me. Feb 06 08 02:00 pm Link 2 B800s and 1 B400. Love the lights, don't like the umbrellas, bought photoflex ones instead. My buddy at work swears by the Buff Co. Beauty Dish, and I am thinking about getting one too. Feb 06 08 02:03 pm Link Great lights. I have the Lightnings, but other than the construction, the quality is the same. Excellent light quality and Buff has better service than anyone. Feb 06 08 02:06 pm Link I have 3 alien bee B800 lights and I am completely satisfied with how they work, their build quality and consistency. I feel that they are a good value for the money. Are they the perfect lighting system? No. Are they good enough for me? Yes. I do have some other equipment to compare them to. Some Novatron packs & heads, Speedotron Brown Line pack, britek monolights (blech!) and a Profoto pack and head. I prefer to use the bees. Feb 06 08 02:16 pm Link I use the 1600 and beauty dish outside extensively. Great results. See my port. Most outside shots are using this as well as inside.... Feb 06 08 02:18 pm Link Photographers are notorioulsy cheap- They will discuss for example Gary Fong's diffusers...instead of just buying one and trying it out for themselves. Alien Bees are inexpensive...even if they sucked (which they don't) what was your investment? Little. Relatively little. Feb 06 08 02:21 pm Link -ASYLUM- wrote: QFT Feb 06 08 02:29 pm Link dogsoflust wrote: Relative to what? Feb 06 08 03:09 pm Link I have two AB 800's and that's what most of the indoor shots in my portfolio were shot with. The bees are great. I haven't experienced the misfire issue. The only issue I've had with them is inconsistent output when you turn the power way down. Feb 06 08 03:27 pm Link I have 2 B800's and one B1600. Most images in my port were shot with them. I have no complaints! Feb 06 08 03:30 pm Link Oh Pleeeeze....I have Alien Bees and they have excellent service, but their lighting sucks. They almost even admit it on the phone. Firstly, their Receiver Adapter doesn't fit right (they just sent me a new model aapter...who ever heard of such a thing?), Secondly, their lights flash on their own at times; Thirdly, their Transmitter doesn't lock down tight enough so if you're doing some serious shooting in "Verticle"...it could loosen a bit and your flash won't fire.. I dare anyone to tell me they are able to shoot at more than 1/32 or 1/4 power in their studio without HOT spots or total WASH-OUT. Go ahead...then tell me that you can do that at between f8 and f11 (studio sweet spots). Let me here this one. Their Octobox isn't big enough for Portrait or Modeling work. Their bulbs aren't UV coated; they eliminated UV coated in oder to have commonality on all their lighting...go figure; but that's what they told me today (Feb 6th)....I don't know how that makes a difference....you should always go with UV lighting/bulbs. (But I wasn't aware of this when I bought them cause the price was right for me at the time). Other than that, they are great for the price; but you better be prepared to work them and accept their flaws. AND I'd rather focus on my lighting accuracy than playing around with their inefficiences. Rating by me on a scale of 1 to 10; probably a 5 or 6. Sorry folks......let me know who can shoot a model at 3 to 4 feet away from the octabox at 1/4 power and get beautifuly wrap-around? I have to hear your comments on this one....by the way, write me directly; because I have serious problems with them at times. Tommy TMK Images Feb 06 08 05:35 pm Link AB's are good for the price.... the price being a lot cheaper then most other lights. You cant expect the best at their prices. If you want better equipment, you have to cough up the money. I use a profoto ringflash, speedotron (force series) lights, pocket wizards and a Gossen light meter. I used to use alien bees, but their cons started wearing on me so I had to upgrade. TMK Images wrote: Feb 06 08 08:03 pm Link Ransom (the Cheese) uses ancient WL 10,000 lights. It's more about the hands bending the light, than the light itself. You could spend more and be happier. Would the ratio be right of money spent/ happiness? Up to you. I have 5 various bees and like them plenty. Feb 06 08 08:15 pm Link Ken Marcus Studios wrote: I've had mine about a year. Feb 06 08 08:26 pm Link Alien Bees are very good lights. Not the best, ut if you are new to photography you don't need the best. In my opinion what the pros (those getting paid) require is faster recyle times, durability, better cooling for long time use and maybe finer adjustment options. In terms of creating photos and light quality Alien Bees are equal to any other strobes on the Market and will work fine for many years. I started with Alien Bees but upgraded to White Lightings because. 1 - I wanted a strobe with Metal mounts not plastic for 7' Octoagon Softbox. 2 - I wanted more power X1600 vs AB-800 but also wanted lower power with 1/4 power switch on X1600. 3 - Wanted strobe with 1/4" phono trigger plugs not sub-mini plugs on Alien Bees. 4 - wanted the stronger retaining fingers for mounting large acessories of WL. However, even though I needed at least one WL x1600 I prefer the lighter weight of the Alien Bees and they are the ones I grab first if I am going on location. Feb 07 08 12:56 pm Link |
