Basically, I am planning to purchase 2x studio strobes in around 800w power range.
The reason being is that I need something sporting a modelling lamp, fast recycle time and ability to power rather large softbox/strip and something allowing me to consolidate my existing speedlight collection.
It is obviously always easier to decrease power at any given time rather than purchasing any additional units to increase power.
Such units are rather expensive in Japan, with some 600w reaching over 1500 usd.
I think I'd rather skip Chinese eBay sold gear based on my past experience as well as biased and bigoted prejudice . On a more serious note I would love to have longer lasting kit.
So far answer seems to be Alienbee's AB1600 (yes, it's quite far from 800w target) due to its fair and affordable pricing.
Krosavcheg wrote:
...So far answer seems to be Alienbee's AB1600 (yes, it's quite far from 800w target) due to its fair and affordable pricing. ...I would appreciate any comments on this matter.
The B1600 is 640 Watt-seconds, which really isn't that far from your 800Ws target. It's also about 10 times brighter than a typical Speedlight, so it should meet your expectations handily.
I don't know what the Alien Bees sell for in the Land of the Rising Sun, but another option you might want to compare it with is...
The D-lite 4 IT is a little less powerful than the B1600, at 400Ws, but it has "Intelligent Triggering" to work with Speedlights as triggers or additional lights, as well other useful features.
ABs are not sold in Japan, unfortunately. I intend to order those directly from Paul Buff. Even with import tax (should that apply, since it not always seem to do) it should be cheaper that buying in the Land of the Brown Soup.
Perhaps you noticed the prices? Thank you very much for the links btw - really appreciate it (browsing through right now, actually).
I seem to be lost in the terminology for a moment - there is an immense amount of variation between units and prices reflect that. I mean, so far I haven't really figured difference between ABs and White Lighting (except form factor).
Luckily Google is still there..
Edit: scratch that paragraph - just reading FM thread on differences between monolights and strobes.
I seem to get the generic high street retail price of 120.000yen for one unit of around 600-800w output. It does strike me as somewhat expensive.
Another attractive feature of ABs is their portability and size, of course.
Krosavcheg wrote:
...so far I haven't really figured difference between ABs and White Lighting (except form factor). ...just reading FM thread on differences between monolights and strobes.
Monolights are strobes, but not all strobes are monolights; some are pack-and-head designs. (Power packs are also called generators in some countries, although they don't actually generate electricity; they only store it.)
The main difference between Alien Bees monolights and White Lightning monolights is in the build; WLs are stronger, having more metal where the ABs have plastic. Both get good reviews for price : performance ratio, so the choice would depend mostly on if you're a "heavy duty" or a "light duty" user.
In that power range the newer Buff Einstein, while more expensive, might be a better long term investment.
A difference between AB1600 and WL1600 is that the WL1600 has switchable power levels. In the lower power band the WL1600 operates at 160WS like a AB400. That gives you the power for outdoor work and less power indoors in small spaces where too much power can make it difficult to dial the power down low enough.
The advantage technically of the Einstein is using IGBT as an "off" switch to more precisely control short flash durations. They also have more consistent color temp across the power band.
I have four AB800 and can't speak highly enough about Buff customer service and repairs. A lighting strike damages all my equipment a few years ago and it was repair for under $210.
If memory serves some areas of Japan have 60Hz power and others 50Hz power. I don't know if that will affect the performance but you might want to check with Buff to make sure before buying to avoid any surprises.
BrianO wrote:Monolights are strobes, but not all strobes are monolights; some are pack-and-head designs. (Power packs are also called generators in some countries, although they don't actually generate electricity; they only store it.)
The main difference between Alien Bees monolights and White Lightning monolights is in the build; WLs are stronger, having more metal where the ABs have plastic. Both get good reviews for price : performance ratio, so the choice would depend mostly on if you're a "heavy duty" or a "light duty" user.
That makes sense. Pack and head would be self-contained unit, right? AB seems to be requiring a power pack, which though adding to the price is still interesting.
Though, I move between Japan and Europe and would love to use 240/110v alternative, which could be resolved with a power pack as opposed to re-purchasing the 240v version of mono pack and head (there are some which operate at both, but I rarely seen any over 100-200w). Plus of course, weight is another consideration..
DaanB wrote:
Is it sensible to buy strobes from a brand that doesn't offer (repair) service in your country?
This is a valid concern of course. To me, there is a logical limit to the amount one is expected to pay for the actual item balanced against eventuality of potential service situation. I would probably need to do some more research.
Additionally, I dislike the way Japanese stores blatantly expect you to pay premiums in their "Where will you get off an island?" attitude.
How much VAT and import tax I am going to be charged is of course another consideration.
cgardner wrote:
In that power range the newer Buff Einstein, while more expensive, might be a better long term investment.
A difference between AB1600 and WL1600 is that the WL1600 has switchable power levels. In the lower power band the WL1600 operates at 160WS like a AB400. That gives you the power for outdoor work and less power indoors in small spaces where too much power can make it difficult to dial the power down low enough.
The advantage technically of the Einstein is using IGBT as an "off" switch to more precisely control short flash durations. They also have more consistent color temp across the power band.
I have four AB800 and can't speak highly enough about Buff customer service and repairs. A lighting strike damages all my equipment a few years ago and it was repair for under $210.
If memory serves some areas of Japan have 60Hz power and others 50Hz power. I don't know if that will affect the performance but you might want to check with Buff to make sure before buying to avoid any surprises....Show more →
Chuck, thank you very much. I will look into the Einsteins - I seem to have ignored those in the power hunger..
I am located in 50hz power zone, but I might shift to 60hz. Aren't units accomodating the range by default? Assuming Elinchromes sold here are same across 50hz and 60hz areas.
Edit: Here is a quote from Einstein product description: Einstein™ offers global plug-and-play with automatic power switching that allows the unit to operate on power lines from 95VAC to 265VAC, 50 or 60Hz, automatically sensing the voltage / frequency and adjusting accordingly with no user attention required. The unit can tolerate power line voltages as low as 35VAC from the Vagabond™ II portable power system or from other similar pure sine inverters without crashing, whereas many competitive digital flash units crash if the input voltage falls below about 80 to 90VAC. No user intervention or lamp changing is required to operate at different AC line voltages.
Krosavcheg wrote:
...Pack and head would be self-contained unit, right?
Just the opposite: Alien Bees, White Lightning, and Einstein are all monolights; that means they are self contained, with the flash tube on the same box as the capacitors and the control panel. The "mono" in monolight means "one," and refers to everything being in one unit.
A pack and head system, on the other hand, has the flash tube on a long cable that connects to the power pack, and the controls are on the pack. The advantage is that the "head" (flash tube, modeling light, and mount) is smaller and lighter, since all the controls, displays, capacitors, sync circuits, etc. are in the other half. Since I've named three Paul Buff monolights, the appropriate comparison between monolights and pack-and-head systems would be the Paul Buff Zeus line for the latter.
Both types need to plug into an electrical outlet or, in some cases, a battery pack, but that's a seperate issue. A battery pack and a power pack are two different things. It can get confusing, because there are pack and head systems where the power pack also has a battery in it, or where the power pack sits on top of a battery. The Elinchrom Ranger is one example.
Krosavcheg wrote:
...AB seems to be requiring a power pack, which though adding to the price is still interesting.
So, as explained above, the AB does not need to be plugged into a power pack. You can plug it directly into a wall outlet. If you want to use it away from an outlet, then you can get a battery pack like the Paul Buff Vagabond, but that's an option that you may not need.
I actually made a graphic, but I forgot to post it. Here it is:
That definitely makes sense. Thank you once again for taking your time!
Modular system is probably good for a stationary photographer utilising a studio. If one is moving around it will be a bit of a trouble to set up as well as to transport, imho.
Krosavcheg wrote:
That definitely makes sense. Thank you once again for taking your time!
Modular system is probably good for a stationary photographer utilising a studio. If one is moving around it will be a bit of a trouble to set up as well as to transport, imho.
Well, it depends. If you're on location, you should also consider that a monolight might mean more weight at the end of your grip gear. So you might need more substantial grip. If you look at something like the Elinchrom Ranger Quadras, I think the heads weigh less than some speedlights.
Within the Paul Buff offerings, the Zeus 2500 Ws head is 3lbs, whereas the White Lightning 1320ws monolight is 7lbs, and only half the power.
Good point.
I am planning to get a pair of sturdy stands, since I also need one to take on boom arm (that will most likely require a different sort of monster as opposed to a usual portable stand)
Krosavcheg wrote:
I am planning to get a pair of sturdy stands, since I also need one to take on boom arm (that will most likely require a different sort of monster as opposed to a usual portable stand)
If a lightweight light and small modifier is all you're going to put on the boom, Manfrotto makes a nice, reasonbly-priced, portable boom stand:
Brian, sorry for the late reply, but this is just superb!
I would probably still need a sturdier tripod than the chinese made chopsticks (no nationalistic slander here - just criticism of poor manufacturing)..
. On a more serious note I would love to have longer lasting kit.