Just curious what strobes everyone is using. I'm in between Alienbee B1600's and Einsteins. Don't know if I wanna drop the extra on the steins but they seem pretty legit. Most use will be T&I/portraits and some wedding junk, but I'm curious what everyone is using for sports.
At full power, they're virtually the same. However, the Einsteins really shine as you go down in power. Their flash duration gets faster, not slower, and the power output has a huge range, which will allow you to shoot studio with almost any aperture, as well as mixing direct and bounced light in sporting events.
I own 8 Elinchrom 600S units, which were considered great monoblock units for sporting events, but after also picking up a 4 pack of Einsteins, I have to say there's no comparison. I've also used and had access to WL and AB's, and previously owned Norman and other lights.
Bottom line: if you want a good long term purchase, get the Einstein, and don't look back.
I use any combination of 6 Alienbees (4 AB1600's and 2 AB800's) but if I was starting over again I'd absolutely be opting for the Einsteins, not only because of flash duration and recycle times, but also the temperature consistency is exceptional as you dial down the power with them.
Having said that, the AB's have served me VERY well, I've had zero reliability issues (knock on wood) and the versatility I have with them is extremely enjoyable, especially with various reflectors, diffusers and modifiers I have collected.
is everyone using them solely for lighting gymnasiums? does anyone do sport portraits or something along those lines? looking to purchase my first strobe(s) and the AB800/1600s look like they are in my price range.
no the Einstein has some great features for the studio as well. Color mode is supposed to provide consistent color across the power range of the light. And the 9 stop range, that allows you to go from 640 to 2.5 watt seconds allows for a lot of leeway when it comes to depth of field.
Honestly though, any lights beats no lights, so if all you can afford is an AB800, go for it. Especially if it means you can afford a few light modifiers. Modifiers shape your light and help to give it character, which is how you paint your subjects. Beauty dishes, softboxes, strip boxes, grids, and all the other modifiers, are as necessary as the light itself.
Looks like I'm gonna go the Einstein route, seems to be what both people in the sports and studio lighting forums say to go with. Couple extra hundred but seems to be the route to go. Thanks guys.
The Einsteins shine for indoor Gyms and any studio work, period. If you need tons of power they go up to 640ws, twice the 320ws of ABs, and when paired with the big softbox the light for studio or team shots is just right. Reliable 5000K too.
