I have been looking at getting a studio strobe setup to use both indoors in a studio environment, and outdoors on location shoots. What I am wondering is I know the alien been lights are very popular for both setups, but they do not have very accurate power level adjustments like the genesis lights do at 1/10th of a stop increments.
I think the Genesis 400's should have enough power for what I want to do because I do not plan on shooting in the middle of the day. I will have to be able to use a powerpack like the Vagabond for location shoots, which makes the bees a good choice because the vagabond is made by Paul. I could also get a student discount on my purchases if I go with the Alien Bees.
So my question is which way should I go? Genesis 400's and a Vagabond or AB 800's with a Vagabond?
I have the bees and am very satisfied. With the cybercommander you can adjust in 1/10th stops. Vegabond is also an impressive piece of hardware. If you buy all of it from Paul then you also get a discount on accessories like the Vegabond depending on how many strobes you purchase.
I would probably be getting a two light setup either two B800's or one B800 and one B1600 just for the extra power if I ever need it. I do like the ability to adjust in 1/10th stops. How much is the cyber commander and that is a new product for them right?
I believe the Genesis are a private label from Elinchrom. So they probably have the same circuitry as Elinchrom D-Lites. In this case you can't go wrong as those are very good lights for the money and they use the Elinchrom modifier mount so you could use their accessories plus Elinchroms'. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong. Also I can't tell you how nice digital controls are versus slide switches are and the ability to accurately adjust in 1/10th stops.
Gregg, the Genesis definitely doesn't have D-Lite guts, and even though it's digital, it technically doesn't have 1/10th stop adjustments--Every click is consistent between units, but each click varies throughout the power range. The worse thing about the Genesis IMO is the slow recycle even when you're at minimum power. But there are also other quirks like the modeling bulb, which didn't used to work with BDs or 7'' grids, and originally didn't even work with their included bulb cover.
Unless if you need/want the elinchrom modifiers I would get the AB's. I think they are a much better light than the genesis. And I don't believe they are made by elinchrom. They only use the same mount. The specs on them are pretty poor in my opinion. If you really want the elinchroms I would look for some used 400bx's.
So most of the people here are saying go with the alien bees? I know Paul makes some great products and the educational discount is an extra incentive. I have been thnking to B800s and a vagabond for studio and outdoor shoots. What do you guys think?
If you have time to delay the purchase I'd wait for about another month and get PCBuff's Einstein. Einstein info
At $ 440 they are future oriented and a better buy than the actual series. They are Vagabond compatible, of course.
What Peter is suggesting is true. Don't buy yesterday's technology. It's not that it won't work fine for you. But Paul's new lights provides many more options that in the long run will better serve your needs. That said, you'll need to speak with Paul to clarify if there's a hard date for the release of this product.
Einstein don't exit so far. With Paul's nice upgrade policy you can always upgrade when they become available. I would look at used ABs on b/S forum. That way you won't loose much (if any money) when newer versions are available.
I have seen some b800s go for around 240 or so but I can get them for 250 new with the educational discount. So I think I will go with the b800s now and decide if I need the Einstein later. Just for info what are the differences between the Einstein and the lights now?
Einstein's advances in a nutshell: digital power control in 1/10th increments. Minimum power 1/256 what makes for an 8 f/stop (minimum 2.5 Ws) power range. This all IGBT (flash power flow switch-off at required output) controlled what achieves very short flash durations at constant colour temperatures, even at the lowest settings. Flash tube and model light protected by a glass dome. Unexpensive transceiver for remote control of all settings....
If you end up going with the bees, you might want to throw a B400 in the mix instead of getting all B800s. Sometimes it's difficult to get shallow DOF because the B800 spits out a ton of light even at its lowest power setting.
So should I wait for the Einstein and probably have to wait a long time because they will probably be so popular and just use my 580ex off camera like I have been with some good results or get the older bees now?
I am not in too big of a rush I guess, I just wanted to get my lighting down before senior pictures start up again in the spring. I guess I can get by with just the 580ex and ettl cord that I use. Then get the Einstein and vagabond later. Does anyone know what the power is on the Einstein? Is it 320 w/s or 640 w/s?
Well I think I have made up my mind to wait on that. Especially since you can dial the einstein down so much it will be an all around light for sure. Then I will probably get a b400 for a background light for my small studio. Thanks everyone!
