 Wendy Ellis |
Alien Bees studio lighting setup I'm wanting to set up a home studio and am going to be purchasing lighting from AlienBees.com. I shoot exclusively digital and will have a 100% mobile studio to begin with (to set up in clients' homes). I will be shooting children and families primarily. I'm considering the Digibee package, and the description says, "For Digital Photographers who don't require a great deal of power, but require efficiency, we offer the perfect two-light setup with everything you need for studio or location work" It comes with two B400 Flash Units. I will probably also add a third head by getting the Beginner Bee Package (which comes with one B800 flash unit plus accesssories). I have a couple of questions: Why do digital photographers (vs film, I'm assuming) not require a great deal of power, as the description says? Are there situations where the B400 units are not going to be powerful enough, and, if so, what will my limitations be? I'm also considering getting either a softbox or brolly box. I've heard that the softboxes with speedrings are difficult to set up and take down if you are 100% mobile, so in that regard a brolly box sounds good. But does a brolly box (48") offer me enough flexibility to be able to do small group shots, full body shots, individuals, children, babies, etc? Thanks for your help!
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Michael H. Cothran |
I think you are correct in questioning why "digital" photographers need less power. It sounds like a sales hype to me. That said, Alien Bees seem to enjoy a somewhat good reputation with amateurs and those just beginning to stock a studio with a really limited budget. Remember, they are an "entry" level strobe, and will probably not be that powerful. Ask what the actual Watt Second ratings are for the B400 and B800. You'd like a minimum of 100 WS per strobe for home portraits, and more if your light modifier is a soft box, as softboxes generally rob you of about 2 stops of light. Personally, I have been shooting with Novatron for 24 years, and while it is not considered "el primo" in studio lights, they have served me well enough that I just keep adding more to what I own, and have no plans to change brands. Michael H. Cothran www.mhcphoto.net
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
It's not saying that digital people require less power, it's saying if you're a digital and you don't need alot of power, then use those B400, as opposed to some other model that will have more power but at a higher price.
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