That you all are talking about. I think im about to jump on the train in a couple of days. Im just nervous about jumping to a new set of lights when im just getting the hang of these ghetto rigged lights that I am using right now. I have read the reviews, beent o their site, compared prices and the whole yar and I've heard nothing but good things about these alien bees. I have my eyes ont he beginner bee package since I currently have 2 lights as it is. Now question. Will those lights interfere with the alien bees? Are alien bees actual flashes? I mean do I use my flash while taking the photos? I have practiced long and hard to prevent myself from using any flash during my photography, so am I taking the wrong approach? Are the alien bees a continuous light source or does it just show you what the photo will look like afterwards? WYSIWYG? I know that a majority of you use alienbees so im hoping to get some pretty good responses becuase im days away from clicking purchase. I have a pretty nice check coming in soon and I wanted to use it for some new things considered investments. I also took a look at white lighting- alienbees big brother, and they arent too far off of each other in price and look, besides the trendy colors. Anyways hopefully I will get my lsat bit of hope and pump from you guys to buy these bees. Maybe convince me with photos taken with them so I can see what I will be looking forward to. Oh one last thing, is there major setting changes using the bees or is it generally the same?

 

Thanks!!

Most strobes do essentially the same thing and work in the same way.  The real difference is power output, attachments, build quality and bells and whistles.

Most strobes will generally work with most other strobes since they all have a built in optical slave that fires the strobe with it detects a flash.  So, as long as the one strobe's slave can see the light from another strobe then all should be well.  If your old strobes do not have an optical slave, you can always purchase a small one from B&H or your local pro shop, that will plug into the pc/sync socket on the strobe.

The bees are actual strobes, not continuous lighting.  Allthough, if you are shooting a still life, you can simply use the modeling lights on the strobes as continuous lighting.

Strobes are not WYSIWYG.

Okay I thought so. Im not using strobes at the present time. Im using Bright Light Flourescent Bulbs from Home Depot. I like the out come of the photos due to the natural look. When I shoot with Flashes my photos look " greasy" or shall I say my subjects look that way. I shoot mostly darker skin and the flash that I have used before just doesnt fair to my lights recently used. ,Maybe my settings were wrong or whatever but I just dont like that flash look. Now when I see poeples photos that use the alienbees they look vibrant, and perfect like they used continuous lighting. How does that effect work? It it the brolly boxes or softboxes? I have a softbox, well actually two and didnt realizew that I needed the expensive hardward to go with it to use it. Now if The alienbees are softer light inthe softboxes then I would definately purchase the package today. I just need these answers before I jump on the band wagon and lose out on some dough...

 

Thanks for your reply jjhat.

 

BTW Why am I seeing reviews stating that alienbees are WYSISYG??

When looking at a normal portrait photo, you shouldn't see any difference between a strobe and a continuous light setup... all else being equal of course.  The fact that you are seeing a difference has to do with the light modifier (umbrella, soft box, etc.) rather than the source itself.   Basically, you can create a soft light source with natural light (window), stobe (softbox) or continuous lighting (diffusion screen).  It has everything to do with what you put in front of the light, not the light itself.

The bees are far better than a Home Depot light in terms of heat output and consistent color. You can get any light modifier for an Alien Bee you want, soft, direct, etc. The advice from previous posters on this subject is great. I own a 4-light set from Alien Bee, and take the AB1600 with me to every wedding for formal groups. I heartily recommend them.

Regarding the WYSIWYG, I think what they mean by that is this:  The modeling lights on the bees are regular 100 Watt lightbulbs, to show the lighting patterns, where the highlights are and the shadows fall, etc.  These modeling lights have a tracking feature that you can turn on or off.  If you have more than one bee, and one is turned up higher or lower, the tracking feature will turn the modeling light brighter or dimmer accordingly.  That way you can see the relationship between the two or more lights.  Make sense?

You're absolutely right, as long as the photog has identically powered units. If one of the strobes is 2x the output in total power (such as an AB800 vs. an AB400), using the same wattage modeling lamp will make the output appear the same. I use

Leigh:

Regarding the WYSIWYG, I think what they mean by that is this:  The modeling lights on the bees are regular 100 Watt lightbulbs, to show the lighting patterns, where the highlights are and the shadows fall, etc.  These modeling lights have a tracking feature that you can turn on or off.  If you have more than one bee, and one is turned up higher or lower, the tracking feature will turn the modeling light brighter or dimmer accordingly.  That way you can see the relationship between the two or more lights.  Make sense?

If you're using lights at different powers, you can use modeling light bulbs at different powers, too.  For example, 100 W in the 800 and 50 W (do they make 50? - 60 would probably do) in the 400.  This is probably exactly what RVsForFun was going to say, but got cut off.  Anyway, I use and recommend the 800's.

Thanks so much for this information. Im still al ittle scared because I tend to buy things and then feel like I should have saved my money on something different. But you guys are adamant about these Bee's so I will consider more and probably purchase next weekend when Im not so jittery or excited! lol. I will probably purchase the beginner bee with 1 800 and the lil nick nacks and once I get the hang of that, purchase another 800 to match.

Then Ill have 4 lights. BTW I know that Im trying to achieve the "look" that you all have perfected but my lil home depot lights are da bomb. lol. I've done okay so far, but like I said I want real equiptment for real results. Anyways once again thank you for your responses, I will of course stare at the package one more time today before making a final decision. Oh yea one more question can I use my dynaphos softboxes on these alien bees? Or do I have to use the alienbee soft or brolly box? Thanks...