Benny-H wrote:
well go get your camera and lets see some shots

Yeah.  May have to leave work early.  I think I feel some sick coming on.  :: cough cough cough ::.  Maybe the trots.  Nobody ever questions the trots!

Capt Stu Beans wrote:
is it somewhere on their website? ii found the pdf, just wondering if its orderable ON their website, or only via email?

I think you have to order by telephone.  I was talking to them today about it and they say there's quite a list of orders they're working through.

I'll try to post a picture of it later on.

SmartAz Photography wrote:
This is perfect timing.  I shoot with White Lighning, and I was getting ready to buy a ProFoto ringflash and power pack (this would have been my ProFoto introduction).  What's nice is,  I can save a couple thousand dollars and upgrade later.

I have Profoto ringflash, I love it i want to see what this ringflash can do

Ken Rieves Photography wrote:
So, is it not possible to get the lens centered when using the battery grip?

No.  But it's not very far off.  The lens is probably about 1/4" or 3/8" above center.

Benny-H wrote:

I have Profoto ringflash, I love it i want to see what this ringflash can do

Before I bought my lights, I rented Profoto. (Man, they are nice!)  Because last year was my first year in business, I had a lot of money to spend but I needed it to go to things like cameras, lenses and software, so I went with the White Lightning lights.  I think they are good lights, but I think they are better suited for the photojournalist, or someone who is on a lower budget (such as myself).  I'm glad Alien Bees created the ringflash.  This creation will prevent me from stepping up this year.  As soon as I open my mailbox and pull out a check, I'm gettin' the ringflash.

Digital Basement Studio wrote:
http://tbreedlove.googlepages.com/ABR800info.pdf
I guess this is it

Yes it is it.....

Soren McCarty wrote:
How Much did it cost , and what is the Watt/Second Power! I am thinking of buying some Alien Bees. Thanks

Ah, they almost had me — 'til I read the fine print.  Paul C. Buff and co. run around talking about things like "Effective w/s."  This seems like a great thing until you find out that an effective watt second is a number that you really can't use.  The actual watt seconds of a PCB product is about 1/3 of the Effective watt second.

The Alien Bee Ringflash is $399.  After looking at the info that AB sent me, I have decided to save my money and upgrade to a Profoto light and pack.  Sure, it's expensive, but this is a direction I want to move in, anyway.

The issue that I have with the AB ringflash is the same issue that I have with my White Lightning lights (and these are AB's "big brother") — not enough power.

I prefer to shoot with a black background and hit it with enough gelled light to make it any color of my chooosing.  With WL's X3200 heads, I can only get a small spot of color.  Even when I turn the power way down on my main and fill, the black still sucks up the color.  I'm afraid that the AB ringflash will be no different — and let's face it, I think my zippo lighter throws out more than 320 w/s.

I think the AB Ringflash is good for the MM photog who only shoots for fun — or if you do serious macro work.  I charge a lot for my photography, so I think my customers deserve a better line of equipment.

Tony Blei
SmartAz Photography

LarryB wrote:
(BTW, Christian Behr got the first one, Josie Amigo got numbers 2 and 3, and I don't know who got the fourth one).

Funny.. they are both Miami shooters.. also, how do u know who got what? Is it like they announce that shit ?

SmartAz Photography wrote:

Ah, they almost had me — 'til I read the fine print.  Paul C. Buff and co. run around talking about things like "Effective w/s."  This seems like a great thing until you find out that an effective watt second is a number that you really can't use.  The actual watt seconds of a PCB product is about 1/3 of the Effective watt second.

The Alien Bee Ringflash is $399.  After looking at the info that AB sent me, I have decided to save my money and upgrade to a Profoto light and pack.  Sure, it's expensive, but this is a direction I want to move in, anyway.

The issue that I have with the AB ringflash is the same issue that I have with my White Lightning lights (and these are AB's "big brother") — not enough power.

I prefer to shoot with a black background and hit it with enough gelled light to make it any color of my chooosing.  With WL's X3200 heads, I can only get a small spot of color.  Even when I turn the power way down on my main and fill, the black still sucks up the color.  I'm afraid that the AB ringflash will be no different — and let's face it, I think my zippo lighter throws out more than 320 w/s.

I think the AB Ringflash is good for the MM photog who only shoots for fun — or if you do serious macro work.  I charge a lot for my photography, so I think my customers deserve a better line of equipment.

Tony Blei
SmartAz Photography

SmartAz Photography wrote:
I prefer to shoot with a black background and hit it with enough gelled light to make it any color of my chooosing.  With WL's X3200 heads, I can only get a small spot of color.  Even when I turn the power way down on my main and fill, the black still sucks up the color.  I'm afraid that the AB ringflash will be no different — and let's face it, I think my zippo lighter throws out more than 320 w/s.

There must be something wrong with your WL unit.  I have no problem creating color spots on black paper with gels, and all my lights are Alien Bees.  Your WL unit should put out 1320 w/s (actual) of power, which is quite a punch for a single head, and it's more than twice as powerful as any AB light.

Your zippo puts out more than 320 w/s?  I find that hard to believe.  As mentioned above, the first picture was taken at f20 , 1/125 sec at iso100 (of course, the sun contributed some to that).  Granted the ring isn't overly powerful, but if your zippo can do that you should be welding steel with it, not lighting cigars.

daxinho wrote:

Funny.. they are both Miami shooters.. also, how do u know who got what? Is it like they announce that shit ?

When I stopped by they mentioned that I was getting #5, and that I'd just missed Christian, who was passing through Nashville and decided to pick his up.  They also happened to say that Josie had the next two units.

I don't think it's any big secret, but as far as I know they don't announce that stuff.

David Pankhurst Photo wrote:
Can't understand why someone who poses as a professional photographer would be messing about with either Alien Bees or Paul Buff's stuff.  Get some serious professional equipment ..Profoto, Elinchrom, Photogenic etc. and you wont have to complain any more.

I'm sure both Christian Behr and Josie Amigo would appreciate that.

David Pankhurst Photo wrote:
Can't understand why someone who poses as a professional photographer would be messing about with either Alien Bees or Paul Buff's stuff.  Get some serious professional equipment ..Profoto, Elinchrom, Photogenic etc. and you wont have to complain any more.

Whatever. My dick is bigger than yours, blah blah blah.

What _I_ can't understand is why someone posing as a professional photographer would do a setup like the photo on your port around dancers -- no sandbangs to keep the lightweight stand from tipping over if the dancer bumps into it, no tape on the power cable to prevent tripping accidents. You're a liability suit just waiting to happen. . .


"professional" has nothing to do with the equipment used -- it has to do with WAY that it's used.

Paul
(User of some really cheap stuff and some really expensive stuff, and proud of it all).

bang bang photo wrote:

"professional" has nothing to do with the equipment used -- it has to do with WAY that it's used.

I'd have to agree with bang bang photo. :-) I have an AB800 and AB400. Very decent little units. Everything in my port was shot using them (or natural light).


Back to topic...
Wonderful news about the AB ringlight! Can't wait to see some real work with it.

Steller Photography wrote:
Wonderful news about the AB ringlight! Can't wait to see some real work with it.

Lot of people have waited quite a while for it.  I've got a shoot lined up for sunday, and I intend to use mine (need to experiment and practice with it a bit first).  I don't know how quickly they can build the units, but results from talented shooters should start showing up soon.

bang bang photo wrote:
Paul
(User of some really cheap stuff and some really expensive stuff, and proud of it all).

I'll second the motion.  I even love my Canon 50mm f1.8.  Cheap but effective.

It's always amazing to watch these threads to see how long it takes for an equipment snob to show up.

LarryB wrote:
I'll second the motion.  I even love my Canon 50mm f1.8.  Cheap but effective.

It's always amazing to watch these threads to see how long it takes for an equipment snob to show up.

I have to admit I have a really strong reaction to snobbery. It makes me do and say things I regret, but I can't stop myself! It's one of my many character flaws I guess. . .

But behind the bravado and posturing there is a REAL issue. The photographic profession is an extremely tough place to make a living right now, and there are very real pressures coming on us from all sides -- clients grabbing rights, venues grabbing rights, publications paying less and less while demanding more and more, issues with people copying our work, and so forth.

In the face of this, I think good rational discourse about the kind of equipment that we actually need, versus that which strokes our ego, is extremely helpful. Having rented Profoto and Elinchrom gear while owning Alien Bees gear, I understand the virtues of the high end stuff, yet I also understand that for many photographers, the AB stuff represents a genuine value and a viable choice for many types of professional work. So I think when people come along and insinuate that "you're not a true professional if you don't use high-end lighting gear" it is a serious disservice to their fellow photographers.

I would sure be happier (and be less annoying myself) if we could all just stick to explaining why WE make the choices we make, and avoid ridiculing the choices others make. Yeah I know. . . the chances of that happening are two. . . . slim and none.

Regards,
Paul

bang bang photo wrote:
Paul
(User of some really cheap stuff and some really expensive stuff, and proud of it all).

same here

bang bang photo wrote:
Paul
(User of some really cheap stuff and some really expensive stuff, and proud of it all).

I use Profoto and Alien Bees

and I love them both

bang bang photo wrote:
I think good rational discourse about the kind of equipment that we actually need, versus that which strokes our ego, is extremely helpful. Having rented Profoto and Elinchrom gear while owning Alien Bees gear, I understand the virtues of the high end stuff, yet I also understand that for many photographers, the AB stuff represents a genuine value and a viable choice for many types of professional work.

My feelings exactly.  I've had the opportunity to use some high end gear as well, and I won't deny that a lot of that stuff is very nice and very tough.  As pertains to this discussion: I would love to have a Hensel ringlight, but I just can't shell out $3500 for a pack and light right now, no matter how nice it is.  The AB unit admittedly has it's challenges, but at $400 for a functional piece of hardware, it's hard to pass up.

Besides, Paul has a great reputation for standing behind his products.  I have no doubt that he will fix or replace anything that doesn't work right with this unit.

David Pankhurst Photo wrote:
Can't understand why someone who poses as a professional photographer would be messing about with either Alien Bees or Paul Buff's stuff.  Get some serious professional equipment ..Profoto, Elinchrom, Photogenic etc. and you wont have to complain any more.

I feel insulted and haven't even received my AB ringflash yet. So I may as well get it started--David it's not the equiptment that makes the pro it's the photographs. And it looks like, from you portfolio here, your equiptment ain't helpin'!

bang bang photo wrote:
I have to admit I have a really strong reaction to snobbery. It makes me do and say things I regret, but I can't stop myself! It's one of my many character flaws I guess. . .

But behind the bravado and posturing there is a REAL issue. The photographic profession is an extremely tough place to make a living right now, and there are very real pressures coming on us from all sides -- clients grabbing rights, venues grabbing rights, publications paying less and less while demanding more and more, issues with people copying our work, and so forth.

In the face of this, I think good rational discourse about the kind of equipment that we actually need, versus that which strokes our ego, is extremely helpful. Having rented Profoto and Elinchrom gear while owning Alien Bees gear, I understand the virtues of the high end stuff, yet I also understand that for many photographers, the AB stuff represents a genuine value and a viable choice for many types of professional work. So I think when people come along and insinuate that "you're not a true professional if you don't use high-end lighting gear" it is a serious disservice to their fellow photographers.

I would sure be happier (and be less annoying myself) if we could all just stick to explaining why WE make the choices we make, and avoid ridiculing the choices others make. Yeah I know. . . the chances of that happening are two. . . . slim and none.

Regards,
Paul

I agree with this Paul, which is the reason I've been pimping Hensel so much on sites like these (and to a certain extent, Ellinchromes new lower cost line).  As I've said in previous threads, in Europe, Hensel is considered by many to be the second choice after Broncolor.  Their quality and performance is equal to that of Profoto and in the states we can buy Hensel gear at a steal as they are trying to gain market share here where not many people know of them.  I honestly believe that they represent the best overall value of any lighting system.  So when recommendations come up, I make sure I throw that info out there, because I don't know how many shooters are aware of them.  I don't do it to be a snob. 

For example, the shooter saving up to buy the profoto ringlight and pack would be well advised to at least investigate the Hensel porty system and ringflash.  It's a hell of a piece of kit for less money.

Paramour Productions wrote:
I agree with this Paul, which is the reason I've been pimping Hensel so much on sites like these (and to a certain extent, Ellinchromes new lower cost line).  As I've said in previous threads, in Europe, Hensel is considered by many to be the second choice after Broncolor.  Their quality and performance is equal to that of Profoto and in the states we can buy Hensel gear at a steal as they are trying to gain market share here where not many people know of them.  I honestly believe that they represent the best overall value of any lighting system.  So when recommendations come up, I make sure I throw that info out there, because I don't know how many shooters are aware of them.  I don't do it to be a snob. 

For example, the shooter saving up to buy the profoto ringlight and pack would be well advised to at least investigate the Hensel porty system and ringflash.  It's a hell of a piece of kit for less money.

I've been a Hensel Porty user for the past 3 years. It's an excellent system, it's got certain particular strengths, and I'd recommend it as worth consideration to almost anyone. That said, when it comes to people work, it's not equal to Profoto on account of one simple, major factor (and a few minor ones): quality of modelling lamps. Profoto accessories, by-and-large are a bit better as well, as is their ringflash. With Profoto I light by eye. With Hensel I light by experience and polaroid. Whenever I'm outside of Eastern Europe and I've got a lighting-heavy project to shoot, I rent Profoto.

Hensel's a great system, but it's no Profoto. That said, I find both are better for, and better suited to people work than Broncolor, which is justly the king of product, but as a people shooter, and having used all three extensively at one time or another, I'd go Profoto first (except for pure portability in the battery pack system, where Hensel shows its true worth), Hensel second, Broncolor third, as a rule, all things being equal.