Umbrellas vs Softboxes

Jonnyyaya

Need some advise can someone point me in the right direction? Ready to buy myself a Christmas Gift..
What Brand to go with AlienBees / Elinchrom?

Thank You .

Was looking at 2 of The AlienBees B1600 Flash Unit maybe with [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Foldable Large Octabox[/FONT] and 1 of The AlienBees B800 Flash Unit with 36inch unbrellas ?

Looking into getting some new lights have been leaning towards the AlienBees / Elinchrom so guess I am looking for some advise. I will use these indoors most of the time also play with them outside a few times.

I have a friend that has this setup that he paid $637.00 for it works pretty good. Seems like a great deal like the digital read outs. Has anyone used this setup or seen it ever..

Website: http://www.studiolight.com.au/vc-series_details.htm

Purchased from Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Digital-2-x-600W-Strobe-Monolight-Studio-Flash-Kit-NEW_W0QQitemZ370214380665QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item56327f2479

cmason

Sorry, I don't have any experience with ABs. However, I use a 43" umbrella on my Speedlights, so I think a 36" on a more powerful AB800 is much too small. With power like that you can easily go big.

A softbox provides very nice even light, but has the downsides of being less efficient than an umbrella, and more difficult to set up (as well as usually more expensive). With a AB1600, you have plenty of power so that the efficiency isn't a concern. Go big.

I would recommend a brand name, and there are many to choose from. AB being a good one, and Flashpoint comes up alot on the lower end (Adorama house brand).

Now if I were get ABs, I would purchase directly from AB. Anything else, would come from a reputable, well known source...which is rarely ebay. Try B&H, Adorama, or other west coast brands (someone chime in, as an east coaster I don't know any)

divamum

Did you see this thread?

Art Scott

Instead of umbrellas I suggest a brolley box (enclosed umbrella.....see at AB site).....either shoot thur (what I use) or the reflected style....I also suggest the largest......

Jonnyyaya

Thank You for the fast replies. I had not saw that thread, Ok so now after reading a few things and looking little more its gonna come down to the Softboxes Yes..
Now it is the choice of some nice AlienBees or the Elinchrom flash units, I like the digital readout on Elinchrom plus I have used them, but have never used AlienBees the slide on the back seems old fashion for adjustments. Also going to go with just two light system for now.

Thank You everyone I will do some more research was hoping to find someone that has one of these modals to voice..

djames

I am using a set of 4 Aliem Bees B800 using a number of soft box's and umbrellas. They are great and the softbox that AB sells is really easy to set up compared with other units on the market.

Also take a look at the commander contol system that AB offers. It has some real strong advantages over other flash controllers.

Jeremy Winterberg

If you read the entirety of my thread, I went with softboxes.

When would I use one over the other? A softbox creates a catchlight that looks similar to a window, so you can achieve the look of "natural light" while being able to control it. If at all possible I would use a softbox or octobox because it makes the light softer, is easier to control, and uses the light more efficiently. The only time I would whip out my umbrella is if I'm going on location and don't want to carry around all my studio lighting, and just want to use speedlights.

Jonnyyaya

Yes I plan on going with the [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Octabox after review and reading results.. I am working on what brand to go with?

[/FONT]So now it is the choice of some nice AlienBees or the Elinchrom flash units, I like the digital readout on Elinchrom plus I have used them, but have never used AlienBees the slide on the back seems old fashion for adjustments. Also going to go with just two light system for now.

Thank You for all the reply's..

Art Scott

Just got an email from Paul C. Buff Inc...about the demise of umbrellas and Brolly boxes on their site......Umbrellas and Brollys are bing replaced with the PLM system (PARABOLIC LIGHT MODIFIER)...can be sued as either an umbrella or Brolley......This just may be the way to go for those that just do not like to see rectangular catchlites in eyes.........

Jonnyyaya

Thanks Art for the new info.. I might look at those PLM system (PARABOLIC LIGHT MODIFIER). but really like the Octabox.

Jeremy Winterberg

Jonnyyaya wrote:

Thanks Art for the new info.. I might look at those PLM system (PARABOLIC LIGHT MODIFIER). but really like the Octabox.

I was considering the PLM's... They're HUGE! like... seriously HUGE! thats one reason why I didn't go with them. Because I don't have very much space in my "studio"... my basement ceiling is only 7 1/2 feet... :cry

Which is why I'm seriously considering renting a building and just working my butt off promoting myself so i can pay the rent! (also might be getting hired as a web designer and coder for a design company, so that will be a paycheck increase!)

As to the brand... both are good. I like the price, quality, and customer service of Alien Bees. I had an issue with my order (they couldn't find my student discount on record - because I did it back in June), I emailed them, and they emailed right back... I called, and got through to a rep fairly quickly (about 5-10 minutes on hold - pretty good considering how busy they are because of Christmas), and everything was sorted out in mere minutes! I saved my 10% on everything and was very happy when I received the tracking code in an email . (so excited for Wednesday)

I don't know anything about Elinchrom's but I hear wonderful things about them! Especially their Ranger's series. (used in pretty much every single Scott Kelby studio/location photography training vid)

Yeah, this is getting long... oh well!