Alienbees Strobes

[mrshaleyberg]

For a beginner with strobes, would it be logical to just get a couple B400's, or just spend the extra couple dollars and get a couple B800's? I'm thinking about buying the Digi bee package, but not really sure which one would be best. I want to get something that I won't have to upgrade for a little bit.


Thanks!

 

[Ken Rockwell Fan]

I'd definitely get the 800's if it's in the budget.

 

[Stradawhovious]

*disclaimer* I do not own any studio lighting, but am going to offer an opinion anyways*disclaimer*

Ok. Now that that's out of the way. I don't have anything to say quality wise in regards to the alien bee line of products, but coming from a friend that uses them, you had better have replacement expendable close at hand. Alien bee does not use retailers, and as a result, you are required to order items direct. Although this can save you money on the front end, it will bring a shoot to a screeching halt if you blow a filament in the middle of a shoot and don't have a replacement on hand....... since you can't just drive to the local photo shop for a replacement like you can with other brands.

 

[mrshaleyberg]

Hmmm...I didn't think of that. Is there any other brand that you can buy a package with (from the US)? I looked at profoto, just because I heard the brand, and that's WAY too expensive, especially since I'm just a beginner with studio lighting. I've heard good things about Alienbees, so that's why I was wanting to get those. How long will the alienbees strobes last?

 

[Big Mike]

Ok. Now that that's out of the way. I don't have anything to say quality wise in regards to the alien bee line of products, but coming from a friend that uses them, you had better have replacement expendable close at hand. Alien bee does not use retailers, and as a result, you are required to order items direct. Although this can save you money on the front end, it will bring a shoot to a screeching halt if you blow a filament in the middle of a shoot and don't have a replacement on hand....... since you can't just drive to the local photo shop for a replacement like you can with other brands.

That's not bad advice, but I'd wonder how many 'local photo shops' carry spare parts for studio strobes. Around here, a couple stores might have parts, but only for the line of lights that they carry...which are likely overpriced to begin with.

And yes, Alienbee sells their products directly, but they also have top notch customer service. If you need something, they can have it to you within 24 hours.

I don't know how long their flash bulbs are supposed to last, but I haven't heard any stories of them burning out prematurely. I've had mine for several years and they work just fine. You can order replacement bulbs to have on hand, if you expect to be in a situation where a blown bulb would be disastrous.

For a beginner with strobes, would it be logical to just get a couple B400's, or just spend the extra couple dollars and get a couple B800's? I'm thinking about buying the Digi bee package, but not really sure which one would be best. I want to get something that I won't have to upgrade for a little bit.

I think it's only $50 more, to get a B800 over a B400...so IMO, it's worth it to just get the B800.

They do have packages, but you should know that any combination of lights & accessories that you put into your cart (on their site), automatically gets the 'package discount'. So you don't have to be locked into their packages....just pick the lights, stands, modifiers etc. that you want and put them into your cart. The more light units you get, the bigger the discount on the other stuff.

If you can afford it, their new line of Einstein light is newer and supposedly a lot more advanced.

You might also look at the Flashpoint strobes from Adorama. They are similar in price to the Bees.

 

[Stradawhovious]

That's not bad advice, but I'd wonder how many 'local photo shops' carry spare parts for studio strobes. Around here, a couple stores might have parts, but only for the line of lights that they carry...which are likely overpriced to begin with.

Where I'm at there are a couple local stores that will carry replacements for some of the more well known brands, but as you said, they are much more expensive than the alien bee.

Also, to the OP, I don't want to leave you with the wrong impression about the alien bee lighting.

The same person that suggested it would be a pain in the ass to get immediate replacement parts, also swears by her lighting, and wouldn't dream of replacing it for what she uses it for. Please don't view my above stated opinion as a cut on the quality of the product, since that wasn't the intent.

How long will the alienbees strobes last?

My friend with the alienbee lighting states that the only time she needs to get replacements is when she transports in the winter. Under normal studio use she doesn't have any issues.

FWIW, YMMV, IANAL and all that.

 

[mrshaleyberg]

I'm going to be going back home in a month to Indiana while my husband is deployed..It's going to be SUPER cold there..Will that affect the strobes being shipped in the cold weather before I even get them?

 

[Big Mike]

I'm going to be going back home in a month to Indiana while my husband is deployed..It's going to be SUPER cold there..Will that affect the strobes being shipped in the cold weather before I even get them?

If you find that they have a problem when you get them, just call the company and they'll probably replace it for you ASAP. Like I said, they have great customer service.

 

[MohaimenK]

IMO spend the extra money and get the White Lightning that they sell. Same company but with 5 year warranty. Much better body than the AB's

 

[mwcfarms]

I have both a 400 Bee and and 800. I would go with the 800s. I didn't go with the package deals, I made my own and they gave the discount.

 

[Bram]

I have just been checking aout the bees website and the beginner bee is around $400.00. I went to a local shop and they were selling just the strobe and stand for over $500.00. I'm not sure the difference but for starters why wouldn't you go with the beginner bee?

 

[mwcfarms]

Just be careful with the modifiers you put on the stands. The beginner stands are not meant to have the large softbox on it. I definitely recommend getting a heavy duty stand for your softbox if you get one. For an umbrella its fine. They work great and I love both of them. Am hoping to get another for christmas even.

 

[Big Mike]

I have just been checking aout the bees website and the beginner bee is around $400.00. I went to a local shop and they were selling just the strobe and stand for over $500.00. I'm not sure the difference but for starters why wouldn't you go with the beginner bee?

Not all strobes are created equal....actually, they can be quite different from brand to brand and even model to model.
The strobe you saw in the store might be a whole lot better than the AB...or it might be worse...or maybe a bit of both.

 

[Big Mike]

Good point Dee. The regular 'light duty' stands aren't very good. They are small and light, which makes them easier to travel with, but I much prefer the heavy duty stands, especially if you are using a large softbox etc.

Light stands are pretty universal, you could probably get a better deal on cheap stands somewhere else, especially if you can find them locally and save the shipping cost, but the AB stands are still good.

 

[Bram]

I was thinking of buying the beginner bee package probably in the new year. That cost plus shipping would push me to $448.21 to get it shipped to Canada.