The Alien Bees "Beginner Bee" setup seems to fit the requirements necessary (other than reflector) to work from the video. However, being in Canada, and with the Canadian dollar having gone to hell compounded with Alien Bees insistence on shipping via UPS I would like to consider local alternatives. Here in Ottawa we have a few stores such as Henry's, Galaxy and Vistek that stock a fair bit of lighting gear, so they seem to be ideal.
Has anyone put together a kit similar to Alien Bees' "Beginner Bee" kit using equipment sourced at the locations above?
p.1 #2 · (Canada) Henry's equiv. to AB "Beginner Bee"?
OK, I wrote a nice, long response, and then I crashed my browser window ....
So, short version:
You might want to look at used. If your first setup isn't quite what you need, you can probably sell it for about what you paid.
It is hard to figure out exactly what will work for you without some hands on experience. Otherwise it is like trying to figure out the best cell phone options when you have never used a cell phone. Mind numbingly frustrating, and guarenteed to give you a big headache. Lots of opinions out there too.
The usual questions: How long have you been doing photography? How serious are you? Do you want to be a pro, just a hobby, etc.? What are you going to photograph? Where - living room, studio, garage, location?
There should be soime good discussions here on different brands. I did see that Vistek has a demo version of the Elinchrom D-Lite kit on sale for $700:
Something along those lines is a good place to start your research. Use it as a base just to give you a concrete example for comparison. Elinchrom is a good line, a brand taht you can build on for a career. Lots of nice features in modifiers, softboxes, the Skyport system, etc. You will get different opinions on the D-Lites. They are solid lights, but as entry-level lights they are a bit of a compromise in some areas. But hey, they pop and will make pics, which is mostly what you need to get started. If you could find their mid-level monolights used that would be a great setup.
p.1 #3 · (Canada) Henry's equiv. to AB "Beginner Bee"?
Hi Michael,
I am a hobbyist, and choose not to make any money from my pursuits. I do however greatly enjoy photography, and wish to have more control over light. I feel that I will primarily perform indoor portraits in a living room or studio basement. I may however be tempted to get outdoors as well when weather permits. At this time I am interested in a single strobe, so the Bowens BW200 kit for ~$1000 seems to be a waste for me. I've also looked at Opus strobes but I was somewhat concerned that they were Chinese made (Bowens are English) I've looked at the Elinchrom kits, but feel I should not pay $700+ for two strobes when I really just want one. In addition, the D-Lites are made in India, whereas I believe all other Elinchroms are Swiss-made. I've e-mailed Vistek regarding the availability and cost of Elinchrom's FX and BX strobes. On Vistek's webpage they only show the D-Lites, and high-end RX line.
p.1 #4 · (Canada) Henry's equiv. to AB "Beginner Bee"?
Don't let the fact that the D-Lites are made in India sway you away from Elinchrom! ALL Elinchrom strobes put out very nice, consistent light, even their entry level D-Lites. You do actually get what you pay for...
p.1 #5 · (Canada) Henry's equiv. to AB "Beginner Bee"?
I've got a set of Bee's and have to say that if I was to do it again, I might consider going as a "Strobist" setup. Don't get me wrong, the studio lights are great, but you're right, the cost of shipping from Alien Bees pretty much puts them in the range of the more expensive brands locally.
I'm a nikon guy (I think I may have sold your a 105 Micro locally some time back), but I would buy a small stand, a interchangeable umbrella and a flash that can be triggered remotely. The advantage is that you'll have a great flash to use with your camera, and can get studio results. You can also get some added features, such as TTL flash functions.
I have a AB1600, and AB800 and find them too powerful for a small basement studio. A couple of flashes stands and umbrellas are great for portability and good for small spaces.
p.1 #7 · (Canada) Henry's equiv. to AB "Beginner Bee"?
I have Elinchrom D-lites. The quality rivals any other similar light. I do not own other lights, but from I've read on many forums, the Elinchrom is sturdier & more consistent than AB or White Lightning & such. Yes, I know, folks tend to defend their purchase decisions even if they bought inferior goods, but I believe those who have the means to compare stuff by owning them and/or using them.
Furthermore .... what is NOT made in China, for example? Once a factory tools up to produce anything to very stringent standards (computer components, clothing, tools, etc.) imposed by the brand name's owner, it matters little where the actual factory is. Check where even expensive, luxury goods are made!
Don't be automatically scared of something made in India.
p.1 #9 · (Canada) Henry's equiv. to AB "Beginner Bee"?
The new Elinchrom BXRi's are also made in India, and most people already rave about them (all good things, too ). ALL Alien Bees components are made in China - they're just put together in the US - it's all relative!
p.1 #10 · (Canada) Henry's equiv. to AB "Beginner Bee"?
adamdewilde wrote:
I'd be automatically scared of something made in India...
Likewise something made in China..
If you get rid of everything around the house that's made in China, you will live a very austere existence. You could start by getting rid of a lot of your clothes. Enough of your car would go to make it unuseable. Around the house, get rid of lamps, microwaves, TV's, and lightbulbs. But, since there are no lamps, you have no use for lightbulbs, right?
At least your electricity is made right here in the US of A. You might look into the ownership of your utility company--the Chinese probably own a good bit of the corporation.
The kids' toys will go. Yes, that teddy bear, too.
But you have little to fear as capitalists are finding Chinese labor too expensive for their tastes, and are moving to fourth world countries that make rural China look advanced.
p.1 #11 · (Canada) Henry's equiv. to AB "Beginner Bee"?
up in Canada there is very little for lighting that is stocked... usually it's all entry-level stuff and is pretty expensive compared to what AB's cost...
AB's need a Canadian distributor just to get rid of the cross-border hassle...
p.1 #12 · (Canada) Henry's equiv. to AB "Beginner Bee"?
I looked at ABs but with the recent jump in the US dollar compared to CAD I started looking at Elinchrom. I almost went for a BX400 setup but waited till the BXRi line came out. I've only had the To Go set... 500s for a day so it's a bit early for a review as this is my first encounter with lights. So far I am quite impressed with the Skyport built in. It really is a huge advantage.
p.1 #13 · (Canada) Henry's equiv. to AB "Beginner Bee"?
Hey Mfoto,
Which kit is the BXRi that you went with? is it the 500/500 with the portalite softboxes? If so, does this kit come with stands?? I can't seem to find the answer on the vistek website.
Have you gotten more time to play with the lights?
p.1 #14 · (Canada) Henry's equiv. to AB "Beginner Bee"?
Clayphish wrote:
Hey Mfoto,
Which kit is the BXRi that you went with? is it the 500/500 with the portalite softboxes? If so, does this kit come with stands?? I can't seem to find the answer on the vistek website.
Have you gotten more time to play with the lights?
I went for the 1799 kit from Vistek and NO... stands were not included. I just got the $30 ish stands which do a decent job holding the lights. They are not super sturdy but so far OK. I just got back from a family shoot and the lights worked great. This is all still pretty new to me. For the first time today I got to use the L-358 Sekonic light meter. I just got it in the mail and got to try in once before the shoot... the light meter really makes a huge difference in how confidently and quickly I could set things up today.
p.1 #15 · (Canada) Henry's equiv. to AB "Beginner Bee"?
ABs are good value when you look at the cost of modifiers and expanding your kit, even with the exchange. Good to great service from AB.
If not, then as noted above, the Elinchrom sets from Vistek are your next-best bet. Easily accessible gear, good quality light, and good modifiers - but they are costlier.
Brent
PS - I shoot Elinchrom in my studio, and quite like them. My studio partner uses mostly White Lightning, and his images are better than mine.
p.1 #16 · (Canada) Henry's equiv. to AB "Beginner Bee"?
rudiphoto wrote:
The new Elinchrom BXRi's are also made in India, and most people already rave about them (all good things, too ). ALL Alien Bees components are made in China - they're just put together in the US - it's all relative!
Please check your facts before committing libel. AlienBees, White Lighting, Zeus and CyberSync are made and designed in America - Nashville and/or Kansas. This includes most components, housings, flashtubes, etc. Electronic parts are mostly from American vendors, many of which, like almost all, actually manufacturer offshore.
p.1 #17 · (Canada) Henry's equiv. to AB "Beginner Bee"?
Paul, Thanks for contributing to this thread.
I don't mean to highjack it, but since you're here I have to ask something. With my original plan, I wanted to buy Alien Bees. They just seem like great lights for the price, including the accessories. But, unfortunately, with the shipping options as is, it drives the prices into the red for me. As of right now, the shipping would cost me either $151 ground with an unknown brokerage fee (which is a bit difficult to swollow as I've been really hit by their "independent" brokerage fees before) or $344 with the worldwide saver. As it stands, I'm having a hard time justifying either of these options, especially since the Canadian shipping options is so limited when compared to the US. So my question is, why are there so little options? Why isn't there an option for worldwide Expedited or another shipping means? I'm sure that if there were more options for us Canadians you'd sell a lot more units up here. I know I'd definitely be one of your customers without having to bat an eye.
p.1 #18 · (Canada) Henry's equiv. to AB "Beginner Bee"?
I believe there is new info about this on the website. I've been trying and trying to find better shipping options and keep running into obstacles. USPS makes it almost impossible for us to go this route. We're still looking for options.
