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photoflex litedome or alien bee softbox?

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Hi Alcineia,

This is just my opinion, but I think that generally speaking, Photoflex products are better made than the Alien Bees'. I believe they can be expected to last longer and provide more consistent results as far as falloff is concerned. I think it's also safe to say that if you stick with one manufacturer for umbrellas, softboxes, etc., you'll have more consistency with light color.

But again, that's all just opinion...

I plan on getting a couple of Bees, but will be using Bogen stands and Photoflex Umbrellas & their 5' Octodome.

-dc
Alcineia said:
Which one do you like better?Photoflex lilitedome softbox or the
ones that alien bee sells for their lights(I just bought a
AB800).What are the differences between them?
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
Click to expand...
 
how about mounting,do we just to order the softbox or we need also adapters etc..?
Danny Cardenas said:
This is just my opinion, but I think that generally speaking,
Photoflex products are better made than the Alien Bees'. I believe
they can be expected to last longer and provide more consistent
results as far as falloff is concerned. I think it's also safe to
say that if you stick with one manufacturer for umbrellas,
softboxes, etc., you'll have more consistency with light color.

But again, that's all just opinion...

I plan on getting a couple of Bees, but will be using Bogen stands
and Photoflex Umbrellas & their 5' Octodome.

-dc
Alcineia said:
Which one do you like better?Photoflex lilitedome softbox or the
ones that alien bee sells for their lights(I just bought a
AB800).What are the differences between them?
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
 
Photoflex lilitedome softbox or the
Danny Cardenas said:
Danny Cardenas said:
ones that alien bee sells for their lights
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I've never seen an AB softbox, but if I was getting a Photoflex I would choose the SilverDome over the Lite Dome. Photoflex's diffusion face & baffles are dense enough to produce very even output & I would prefer the silver-lined box over the white-lined one. The silver interior will increase the output somewhat, but more importantly it will allow you to get a punchier look if you remove the baffle or such.

I always try to avoid propriatary gear if possible & I would likely choose the Photoflex over the AB. It would also probably be easier to sell if you choose to some day.

Regards,
Bern Caughey
 
Bern Caughey said:
I always try to avoid propriatary gear if possible & I would likely
choose the Photoflex over the AB. It would also probably be easier
to sell if you choose to some day.
Click to expand...
made by Lightgear & uses the same speedring as the White Lightning units.

-John
 
Alcineia said:
Which one do you like better?Photoflex lilitedome softbox or the
ones that alien bee sells for their lights(I just bought a
AB800).What are the differences between them?
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
Click to expand...
I ordered an AB softbox(large) with my AB's and sent it back. There were no sleeves to hold the rods inside – just a pocket for the ends. The fit and finish of the front screen was quite crude. Also no quick release flaps like photoflex to breakdown the box. Bought a used Litedome off ebay for same price as AB and like it much better as I have owned Photflex and Chimera before.
 
Photoflex sells adapters for their softboxes for just about every strobe manufacturer.

Mike
Alcineia said:
Danny Cardenas said:
This is just my opinion, but I think that generally speaking,
Photoflex products are better made than the Alien Bees'. I believe
they can be expected to last longer and provide more consistent
results as far as falloff is concerned. I think it's also safe to
say that if you stick with one manufacturer for umbrellas,
softboxes, etc., you'll have more consistency with light color.

But again, that's all just opinion...

I plan on getting a couple of Bees, but will be using Bogen stands
and Photoflex Umbrellas & their 5' Octodome.

-dc
Alcineia said:
Which one do you like better?Photoflex lilitedome softbox or the
ones that alien bee sells for their lights(I just bought a
AB800).What are the differences between them?
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
Click to expand...
 
good to know that.;) for the alien bee anyone has the SKU # of the piece or pieces necessary to set it up?
mikeybwater said:
Mike
Alcineia said:
Danny Cardenas said:
This is just my opinion, but I think that generally speaking,
Photoflex products are better made than the Alien Bees'. I believe
they can be expected to last longer and provide more consistent
results as far as falloff is concerned. I think it's also safe to
say that if you stick with one manufacturer for umbrellas,
softboxes, etc., you'll have more consistency with light color.

But again, that's all just opinion...

I plan on getting a couple of Bees, but will be using Bogen stands
and Photoflex Umbrellas & their 5' Octodome.

-dc
Alcineia said:
Which one do you like better?Photoflex lilitedome softbox or the
ones that alien bee sells for their lights(I just bought a
AB800).What are the differences between them?
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
 
The Photoflex website lists one for Paul C. Buff units, hopefully that one fits both AB and WL. http://www.photoflex.com

Mike
Alcineia said:
mikeybwater said:
Mike
Alcineia said:
Danny Cardenas said:
This is just my opinion, but I think that generally speaking,
Photoflex products are better made than the Alien Bees'. I believe
they can be expected to last longer and provide more consistent
results as far as falloff is concerned. I think it's also safe to
say that if you stick with one manufacturer for umbrellas,
softboxes, etc., you'll have more consistency with light color.

But again, that's all just opinion...

I plan on getting a couple of Bees, but will be using Bogen stands
and Photoflex Umbrellas & their 5' Octodome.

-dc
Alcineia said:
Which one do you like better?Photoflex lilitedome softbox or the
ones that alien bee sells for their lights(I just bought a
AB800).What are the differences between them?
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
Click to expand...
 
Mike I could not find the model you are talking about.
mikeybwater said:
Mike
Alcineia said:
mikeybwater said:
Mike
Alcineia said:
Danny Cardenas said:
This is just my opinion, but I think that generally speaking,
Photoflex products are better made than the Alien Bees'. I believe
they can be expected to last longer and provide more consistent
results as far as falloff is concerned. I think it's also safe to
say that if you stick with one manufacturer for umbrellas,
softboxes, etc., you'll have more consistency with light color.

But again, that's all just opinion...

I plan on getting a couple of Bees, but will be using Bogen stands
and Photoflex Umbrellas & their 5' Octodome.

-dc
Alcineia said:
Which one do you like better?Photoflex lilitedome softbox or the
ones that alien bee sells for their lights(I just bought a
AB800).What are the differences between them?
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
 
I use an Alien Bee speedring with my large Photoflex softbox and it work fine plus it's cheaper then the Photoflex speedring...
 
The Item no. is SC-8005PBR for Paul C. Buff units, if you're lucky it will fit AB's

Mike
Alcineia said:
mikeybwater said:
Mike
Alcineia said:
mikeybwater said:
Mike
Alcineia said:
Danny Cardenas said:
This is just my opinion, but I think that generally speaking,
Photoflex products are better made than the Alien Bees'. I believe
they can be expected to last longer and provide more consistent
results as far as falloff is concerned. I think it's also safe to
say that if you stick with one manufacturer for umbrellas,
softboxes, etc., you'll have more consistency with light color.

But again, that's all just opinion...

I plan on getting a couple of Bees, but will be using Bogen stands
and Photoflex Umbrellas & their 5' Octodome.

-dc
Alcineia said:
Which one do you like better?Photoflex lilitedome softbox or the
ones that alien bee sells for their lights(I just bought a
AB800).What are the differences between them?
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
Click to expand...
 
I have been using the AB 60"x30" large softbox for about two weeks & I don't really like it. I think I am going to send it back & buy the Photoflex Multidome with a white surface inside & the gold & silver inserts.

-John
 
the Photoflex SB's. One large multidom, and one medium. I can't say their better or worse than AB or anyone else's. Rememba, it's not so much the gear, as what you do with it. ;)

Regards,
Phillip
Alcineia said:
Which one do you like better?Photoflex lilitedome softbox or the
ones that alien bee sells for their lights(I just bought a
AB800).What are the differences between them?
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
Click to expand...
 
That's why I am sounding around before buying!I won't buy anything for now because I want first figure out how to use a umbrella then just "then" I will look to buy something that will give the light that I am looking for(hard decision though).Thank you so much to let me know your experience because I either was not that sure about that softbox(AB). now my thing is know the differences between that and a photek softlighter II that people seems to like better than a softbox.Does anyone here has any experience with both?what do you think?
JohnM said:
I have been using the AB 60"x30" large softbox for about two weeks
& I don't really like it. I think I am going to send it back & buy
the Photoflex Multidome with a white surface inside & the gold &
silver inserts.

-John
Click to expand...
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
 
C'mon Phil! ;)How come many people says that umbrellas doesn't compare with a softbox for soft light?So the equipment is nothing if you are a begginer like me but if you have skills in studio photography I do think the studio light equipment/modifiers you use it is important and helps.
pfiltz said:
Regards,
Phillip
Alcineia said:
Which one do you like better?Photoflex lilitedome softbox or the
ones that alien bee sells for their lights(I just bought a
AB800).What are the differences between them?
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Alcineia Frank
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=665
D100 Nikon 28-105 F3.5
Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8
Olympus C3000Z
 
There is no ideal light & there is no ideal lighting equipment.

Photography equipment is only a tool. Certain tools may work better for certain applications, but all the tools have there uses. If some tells you that certain types of tools are no good, that is probably only their opinion. You will easily find other people to contradict that opinion.

I'm not saying to ignore peoples opinion of brands, since some brands are poor quality. But an umbrella is no better, & no worse, than a softbox, or a beauty dish, or a bare head, or etc.

Tools are of no importance, what you make with them is. Study light & experiment.

Regards,
Bern Caughey
 
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