Home studio for xmas

padu

My wife asked me what I wanted for xmas and I've been thinking about setting a home studio for a project I have in mind (a portraits book). I've been reading around, and lots of people recommend the alienbees kit:

http://www.alienbees.com/beginner.html

it comes with the strobe, a lightstand and an umbrella for $358.66.

I realize that I will need more lights later on, but for now I guess one is good to start with, but I still have a few questions:

1-umbrella or softbox?
2-what about other (cheaper) kits?
3-which other kits?

I guess the alienbees is right on the max budget I (my wife... same'o) can spend. Ebay is full of kits with umbrellas or softboxes... but I'm unsure about them.

Cheers

Padu

ziggy53

I wound up getting the Flashpoint II monolights, and I'm pretty happy with the descision.

I bought the 1820 kit which includes the monolight, 10' stand and a 40" umbrella. It's a lot of punch for the money. (Actually too much for some purposes.)

http://www.adorama.com/FP1820K.html

The umbrellas are nice for a portable setup, but a softbox for the key light is awfully nice, and more similar to window light. I bought the Flashpoint 24" x 36", and then later some 36" x 36" generic softboxes. The generic boxes "clamp" on to the monolight, which is a pain, but they were cheap and otherwise do the job.

You can drape a diffuser between an umbrella light and the subject to give more of a softbox effect, if you're in a pinch.

ziggy53

Scott_Quier

I'd get the softbox over the umby any day. If you get a large softbox, you can always make it smaller by draping lightweight but dark fabric across some of it's surface.

I would also visit a arts & crafts or framery store and get some white foam-core board for a reflector or two - works very nice and is cheap! Down side is they're hard to transport, but you're not taking your home studio anywhere.

padu

I think I prefer the softbox too... I can always get an umbrella later, as it's cheaper.

I think I narrowed my search to the following options:

1-Alienbee custom kit with B800, 24x36 softbox, 10" lightstand and carrying case for around $450
2-160ws softbox kit from adorama for $180
http://www.adorama.com/JTSL160LPK.html
3-300ws softbox kit (flashpoint) from adorama for $240 (limited output power control though)
http://www.adorama.com/FPDP300WLK.html
4-2 150ws kit (softbox + umbrella) from adorama for $275 (not available right now)
http://www.adorama.com/PAINT120.html
5-360ws softbox kit from adorama for $280 (+10% rebate)
http://www.adorama.com/SAPLK4.html#ProductDescription


I like options 1 and 5, but I think $450 for the alienbee is a bit too much for something that I'm still learning. If anyone of the other options offer something that is at least similar, I'd be better off I think.
Just by reading the specs, it is pretty clear that the alienbee is the best option from all of the above.

Which one should I take?

Shane422

I have both an Alienbee B400 and one of the cheaper JTL Versalite 160W units from Adorama. So while I like both, the Alienbee allows me to control the amount of light much better. The JTL is roughly the same power, but I can't turn it down as much. So I end up trying to cut the light because my space is limited and I can't move it further away. I wish I would have just bought a second Alienbee. The B400 also haas a much better modelling light than is cheaper to replace.

So if your trying to save money, look at the B400, it's still plenty of light for portraits, and get a brolly box instead of an umbrella or a softbox. The brolly box is easier to setup than a softbox, and the light is very similar. That setup with a light stand should be about $350.

gavin

Shane422 wrote:

I have both an Alienbee B400 and one of the cheaper JTL Versalite 160W units from Adorama. So while I like both, the Alienbee allows me to control the amount of light much better. The JTL is roughly the same power, but I can't turn it down as much. So I end up trying to cut the light because my space is limited and I can't move it further away. I wish I would have just bought a second Alienbee. The B400 also haas a much better modelling light than is cheaper to replace.

So if your trying to save money, look at the B400, it's still plenty of light for portraits, and get a brolly box instead of an umbrella or a softbox. The brolly box is easier to setup than a softbox, and the light is very similar. That setup with a light stand should be about $350.

I have two B400's, no problems what so ever, love how simple they are to use, and how much you can control the light. 5 whole stops is extremely usefull. And i would go for the softbox!

padu

Ok, I think I'm ready to order my package with a AB-800. The only thing I'm doing now is comparing prices of stuff from alien bees with adorama and bh.

For example, the 13' heavy duty lightstand from AB is $66.45 (including the package discount) and the savage 13' air cushioned from adorama is $45.

The 24"x36" softbox and speedring from alien bees is about $100. The same from adorama costs $65, but it comes with a speedring to fit savage lights. I never owned a monolight/soft box. I see that adorama sells speedrings to connect this softbox with several other monolights, they cost $20, but I'm unsure if any one of those brands are compatible with AB's. Maybe I'll make things easier, spend a bit more and get the one I know will be compatible.

So I guess my question is if you use your AB unit with a softbox different than those sold by AB, and if yes, why and which one.

Cheers

Padu

Shane422

padu wrote:

Ok, I think I'm ready to order my package with a AB-800. The only thing I'm doing now is comparing prices of stuff from alien bees with adorama and bh.

For example, the 13' heavy duty lightstand from AB is $66.45 (including the package discount) and the savage 13' air cushioned from adorama is $45.

The 24"x36" softbox and speedring from alien bees is about $100. The same from adorama costs $65, but it comes with a speedring to fit savage lights. I never owned a monolight/soft box. I see that adorama sells speedrings to connect this softbox with several other monolights, they cost $20, but I'm unsure if any one of those brands are compatible with AB's. Maybe I'll make things easier, spend a bit more and get the one I know will be compatible.

So I guess my question is if you use your AB unit with a softbox different than those sold by AB, and if yes, why and which one.

Cheers

Padu

I didn't really care for the light stand from Alienbees. Mine broke within 20 minutes of use. I picked one up locally instead. As for the Speedrings, I remember Paul Buff saying they are compatible with other speedrings and softboxes in one of the podcasts on Studiolighting.net, but I don't remember which one. I would just call them up and ask them that question. They are very helpful.

pathfinder

ziggy53 wrote:

I wound up getting the Flashpoint II monolights, and I'm pretty happy with the descision.

I bought the 1820 kit which includes the monolight, 10' stand and a 40" umbrella. It's a lot of punch for the money. (Actually too much for some purposes.)

http://www.adorama.com/FP1820K.html

The umbrellas are nice for a portable setup, but a softbox for the key light is awfully nice, and more similar to window light. I bought the Flashpoint 24" x 36", and then later some 36" x 36" generic softboxes. The generic boxes "clamp" on to the monolight, which is a pain, but they were cheap and otherwise do the job.

You can drape a diffuser between an umbrella light and the subject to give more of a softbox effect, if you're in a pinch.

ziggy53

Ziggy,

Great minds must think alike.

I bought the FlashPoint 620 strobes, umbrellas, and stands from Adorama in what they call their 'Wedding kit'. I added a couple of Reflectasol 42 inch diffusers and reflectors as well.

I have been quite pleased with my kit. I figured if I needed more light that I might add a more powerful one later to the mix and have these for backlighting etc. But even the 620s seem to have plenty of punch for use in a home studio for me.

I bought the 24x36 SoftBox also, but unbrellas sure are easier to set up and take down. I have a 60 inch umbrella with front diffuser on order - that should be interesting to use also.

ziggy53

pathfinder wrote:

Ziggy,

Great minds must think alike.

In your case, I would like to think so. (I admire your work.)

pathfinder wrote:

...

I bought the FlashPoint 620 strobes, umbrellas, and stands from Adorama in what they call their 'Wedding kit'. I added a couple of Reflectasol 42 inch diffusers and reflectors as well.

I have been quite pleased with my kit. I figured if I needed more light that I might add a more powerful one later to the mix and have these for backlighting etc. But even the 620s seem to have plenty of punch for use in a home studio for me.

I bought the 24x36 SoftBox also, but unbrellas sure are easier to set up and take down. ...

I got the 1820s because I thought I might be using them with very large softboxes and even some outdoor shots. I wound up thinking they are too much for interior work. I have to use either small apertures or scrims to cut the light output.

Eventually, I will get the 620s and they will probably become the most used.

I just leave the softboxes assembled, and store them in a spare room. Umbrellas are hard to beat for portability "and" utility, especially if they are both reflector and shoot-through.

pathfinder wrote:

... I have a 60 inch umbrella with front diffuser on order - that should be interesting to use also.

Very cool. Is it the Photek Softlighter II by any chance? (SL6000S)

I've been looking at that for some time now, and it seems to provide much of the convenience of a plain umbrella with the creamy smooth light of a softbox. I found one fellow using it with diffused portable flashes and getting awfully good results.

Best,

ziggy53

TristanP

Shane422 wrote:

I didn't really care for the light stand from Alienbees. Mine broke within 20 minutes of use. I picked one up locally instead. As for the Speedrings, I remember Paul Buff saying they are compatible with other speedrings and softboxes in one of the podcasts on Studiolighting.net, but I don't remember which one. I would just call them up and ask them that question. They are very helpful.

AB and White Lightning are compatible with all Balcar modifiers. The LGSR speedring from AB is a steal at $30. For softboxes, try amvona stuff on ebay. I've gotten a 3' octobox, medium and large softboxes, and a 3' striplite all for under $100 shipped in separate auctions.

Shane422

I saw someone today who had a Photoflex softbox on a Alienbee B800.

padu

Yeeeey!

Got my AB800 with a brolly box today in the mail. I took a couple of pictures of my daughter... I'll develop them and post a few. Santa came one day later...

padu

Ok, the thread with a few pictures I took with the new AB800 are here

The things that I liked:
Very (I mean very) easy to use. Seems very sturdy.
Lots of power

So far didn't find anything I dislike...