So what about this Alien Bees setup?

Hi, gang. I mostly hang around the Konica-Minolta SLR Forum. But at the moment, I am considering buying an Alien Bees setup so I thought I'd drop in and run this by you guys and get your opinion on my line of thinking.

Currently, all of my shoots are on location (no studio), but that could change in the very near future. Also, with a couple of weddings under my belt, I am also seeking more work in that area.

For my lighting setup, I have a $1500 budget to work with. So I guess what I am asking is for your opinions on how this list looks? Are there any oversights? Would you consider any of this to be overkill?

Have any of you had experience with both the Vagabond 150 & the Vagabond 300? Is the 300 overkill for 2-light setup with maybe 150-200 exposures? Am I even asking the correct questions?

To this point, I have used strictly ambient light and the occasional shoot with my Minolta 5600 flash unit mounted on the Maxxum 7 Digital. I don't yet even own a reflector.

Thanks in advance!

Member said:

1 - B400 - BLACK
1 - B800 - BLACK
1 - 13FT Air-Cushioned Stand
1 - 10FT General Purpose Stand
1 - 47" Octabox
1 - 48" Shoot-Thru Umbrella
1 - LiteMod Barndoors
1 - 5-in-1 Reflector Kit
1 - Reflector Kit Mounting Arm

1 - Vagabond 300 Portable Power System (1/2 the recycle time of the Vagabond 150)

Click to expand...

--
Rommaker

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Skip the AB 400 and go with at least an 800. Especially with group shots (like a wedding) you'll want the power.

Buy heavy duty stands. The general purpose stands will work, but they're kind of flimsy especially when extended tall.

The vagabond kits are lots of money-- how often would you use it? That's a lot of gear to haul around for a wedding. If you could get away with a wireless flash system (like the canon ex flashes), that would personally be my recommendation. They'll work on stands and with umbrellas, though they don't have the power of the AB's, of course.

I'm sure others have other advice. The main thing is not to buy too much all at once-- it's amazing what you can do with one light and a reflector-- or just a window and a reflector.

--
Pete Springer
http://www.dogwooddigital.net

Thanks, Pete .... that's good, sound advice.

Generally speaking, what is the most preferred ... a softbox or an umbrella? Surely there is a basic difference in the two than I am not aware of. In addition to weddings, I do a bit of glamour and will also be targeting the senior portrait market. Which would serve me better in those scenarios? I would think the umbrellas would be easier to set-up and break down ... moreso than the softboxes.

Yes, the Vagabonds are VERY expensive, but I would use them quite often. Probably moreso for the glamour & engagement shots than for the weddings. The main reason I decided on the 300 is because I would rather have too much than not enough. Since I do not yet have a studio, I can see using it quite a bit.

I can see using a flashhead for fill, but as you said, it wouldn't be enough for groups. I've always got my trusty 5600 for the appropriate situations, but again, I just don't want to be in a situation where I do not have lighting that is deficient.

Thanks again, Pete! Your input is much appreciated.

dogwood said:

Skip the AB 400 and go with at least an 800. Especially with group
shots (like a wedding) you'll want the power.

Buy heavy duty stands. The general purpose stands will work, but
they're kind of flimsy especially when extended tall.

The vagabond kits are lots of money-- how often would you use it?
That's a lot of gear to haul around for a wedding. If you could
get away with a wireless flash system (like the canon ex flashes),
that would personally be my recommendation. They'll work on stands
and with umbrellas, though they don't have the power of the AB's,
of course.

I'm sure others have other advice. The main thing is not to buy
too much all at once-- it's amazing what you can do with one light
and a reflector-- or just a window and a reflector.

--
Pete Springer
http://www.dogwooddigital.net

Click to expand...

--
Rommaker

http://www.momentsnoticed.com (Main Site)

http://www.pbase.com/rommaker
http://submit.shutterstock.com/?ref=3474
http://www.onemodelplace.com/member.cfm?P_ID=79276

I'm using three AB800s, two AB400s, and a Vagabond 300 on location a lot. I'm a redundancy freak, but for what you're doing I could get by with just the AB800s.

Although you'll often be able to get power on location, the Vagabond is far more portable and you won't be trailing extension cords anywhere. The extra power is a good thing--lighting is key, especially flexibility of lighting. The 300 is not too much--recycling times much over 2 seconds will be a strain on your patience.

There is a viable alternative to the Vagabond, the new Tronix Explorer 1200, which sounds very nice and is a bit cheaper. Here Rob Galbraith's review/test:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/index.asp

As mentioned, you'll have to get heavy duty stands--stand manufacturers are 'way optimistic about the strength of their stands. Don't get anything that's only "standard duty" and heaven forbid not "compact."

Softboxes are more controllable than umbrellas, but most softboxes are a pain to set up and take down on location--Tinker Toy assembly required. The only softboxes I'd consider are the FJ Westcott Apollo line (that open like umbrellas, and they're not too expensive--Monte Zucker likes them) or maybe the new Lastolite collapsable softboxes. I believe Norman also has a line of softboxes that open like umbrellas.

As for carrying all that stuff, check out some of the used ATA and fiberglass containers at http://www.surplus-cases.com (they also market on eBay). I was able to get a good wheeled ATA case that retails for over $500 for $75. It was foam lined, but I actually keep each light in a soft-sided, insulated 12-can cooler bag. Each light and its cord is in a bag that I can just pull out of the case and tote to its spot.

--
RDKirk
'TANSTAAFL: The only unbreakable rule in photography.'

My preference was for 3 B400s (I have since bought a 4th) instead of 2 B800s and I have never felt under powered. They were good replacements for my powerpack driven Photogenic strobes (no more cables all over the place). For shooting formals of a bride, you really need to backlight that viel! The other obvious thing is don't forget a stand for your reflector. The arm itself won't suffice (unless you always have an assistant).
--
The right to free speech in no way implies any right to be taken seriously!
Joe

Rommaker said:

Yes, the Vagabonds are VERY expensive, but I would use them quite
often. Probably moreso for the glamour & engagement shots than for
the weddings. The main reason I decided on the 300 is because I
would rather have too much than not enough. Since I do not yet have
a studio, I can see using it quite a bit.

Click to expand...

I don't own studio strobes, let alone batteries for them, but it occurs to me that 2 Vagabond 150's might be better than one Vagabond 300 powering both strobes, since that way each light would have its own battery, and it means you don't have to have a cable between the lights for somebody to trip over. It would also give you redundancy in case something happens to one of the units.

Michael Meissner said:

I don't own studio strobes, let alone batteries for them, but it
occurs to me that 2 Vagabond 150's might be better than one

Click to expand...

That's a very clever suggestion !

--
Kind regards,
Peter B.
(Pardon my English - not my native tongue)

RDKirk said:

There is a viable alternative to the Vagabond, the new Tronix
Explorer 1200, which sounds very nice and is a bit cheaper. Here
Rob Galbraith's review/test:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/index.asp

Click to expand...

I'll look into that ... thanks!

RDKirk said:

As mentioned, you'll have to get heavy duty stands--stand
manufacturers are 'way optimistic about the strength of their
stands. Don't get anything that's only "standard duty" and heaven
forbid not "compact."

Click to expand...

Certainly ... don't need anything that would be considered 'flimsy', either .. especially if a small breeze should come up outdoors. Plus, I have a beach wedding to shoot in October, so I'm quite sure that I will have a sea breeze to contend with.

RDKirk said:

Softboxes are more controllable than umbrellas, but most softboxes
are a pain to set up and take down on location--Tinker Toy assembly
required. The only softboxes I'd consider are the FJ Westcott
Apollo line (that open like umbrellas, and they're not too
expensive--Monte Zucker likes them) or maybe the new Lastolite
collapsable softboxes. I believe Norman also has a line of
softboxes that open like umbrellas.

Click to expand...

I'll look into those, also. Thanks!

RDKirk said:

As for carrying all that stuff, check out some of the used ATA and
fiberglass containers at http://www.surplus-cases.com (they also market on
eBay). I was able to get a good wheeled ATA case that retails for
over $500 for $75. It was foam lined, but I actually keep each
light in a soft-sided, insulated 12-can cooler bag. Each light and
its cord is in a bag that I can just pull out of the case and tote
to its spot.

Click to expand...

Another great suggestion! Thanks!

--
Rommaker

http://www.momentsnoticed.com (Main Site)

http://www.pbase.com/rommaker
http://submit.shutterstock.com/?ref=3474
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Pretty good idea, Michael! The only thing is the pricing, but I can see buying one Vagabond 150 now, and another one at a later date when I have recouped some of my initial investment.

Thanks!

Michael Meissner said:

I don't own studio strobes, let alone batteries for them, but it
occurs to me that 2 Vagabond 150's might be better than one
Vagabond 300 powering both strobes, since that way each light would
have its own battery, and it means you don't have to have a cable
between the lights for somebody to trip over. It would also give
you redundancy in case something happens to one of the units.

Click to expand...

--
Rommaker

http://www.momentsnoticed.com (Main Site)

http://www.pbase.com/rommaker
http://submit.shutterstock.com/?ref=3474
http://www.onemodelplace.com/member.cfm?P_ID=79276

I have a Chimera Pro II Medium SB that is a snap to take down and set up, either partially or completely. It's just a great design. They also have a "Quick Release" line of speed rings that have moveable/lockable pole sockets that make it even easier. This stuff is expensive, though. I started with the Lightgear USA large SB which is a major PITA, relatively speaking.
Kent

Actually if you buy one Vagabond 300 you get two of the CU-150 Power Converting Units and one B15A 15AH Battery for $499.95. Add a second B15A 15AH Battery for $39.95 and in effect you have two Vagabond 150 systems for $540. A savings of $160 over buying two of the Vagabond 150 systems. The Vagabond 300 System doesn't offer a more powerful converter, just two of the units instead of one.

Maurice
--
Organic imagination, digital views...

Pbase Galleries
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If you plan on buying a Vagabond 300 and one extra battery (which is what I've done) you'll need to create some type of carrying case for one of the 150 inverters and the spare battery. The great thing about the case that comes with the 150 and 300 systems is that they have clips so the whole pack can be attached to the base of the light stand - effectively becoming sand bag weights to keep everything upright even in a stiff breeze. I like the system quite a bit. It gives you the mobility you need to be creative away from A/C ! One kind of wierd thing about the Vagabond system is that it comes with a Frankenstein looking screw bolt that they highly recommend using to ground the unit. I've never used it, and I don't know if that makes me likely to get electrocuted some day, or if they included it just to cover their butts in this litigious world! I suspect the later, but who knows!

I got just about all the stands AB offered, 4', 10', 13', and 13' Air Cushioned.

10' - just a bit too wobbly for me.

13' and 13' foot AC, If I had the extra I'd get the AC one, originally I did, they accidentally sent me the 13' as well and told me to keep it.

4' is great for background light.

--
http://public.fotki.com/trekkie

coaltraintripn said:

One kind of wierd thing about the Vagabond system is that it
comes with a Frankenstein looking screw bolt that they highly
recommend using to ground the unit. I've never used it, and I don't
know if that makes me likely to get electrocuted some day, or if
they included it just to cover their butts in this litigious world!
I suspect the later, but who knows!

Click to expand...

ANY power-delivery system putting out electrocution-level current SHOULD have a way to send a short circuit to ground by some means other than through the photographer. Those power-delivery systems that do not are depending on double insulation in the device plugged into them--which said device may or may not have.

Plastic-bodied devices are most likely double-insulated. Metal-bodied devices may not be. The ground cable on the Vagabond is surely an anti-litigation for any problem the aluminum-shelled White Lightning might have.

--
RDKirk
'TANSTAAFL: The only unbreakable rule in photography.'