Alienbees Lighting

BanzaiBk

I'm looking to get set up for product photography in the next few months and can get a good deal through Alienbees Link. I've been quoted $962 (no shipping) for two B800s, two foldable medium softboxes and two 13ft light stands. Has anyone used any Alienbees stuff and have any opinions on their quality/customer service etc? Is there a better setup for the money?

While the setup will mainly be for product shots I'm thinking that it would be a an OK setup for the odd portrait shots? Thanks for any replies.

DotOrg

BanzaiBk wrote: »

I'm looking to get set up for product photography in the next few months and can get a good deal through Alienbees Link. I've been quoted $962 (no shipping) for two B800s, two foldable medium softboxes and two 13ft light stands. Has anyone used any Alienbees stuff and have any opinions on their quality/customer service etc? Is there a better setup for the money?

While the setup will mainly be for product shots I'm thinking that it would be a an OK setup for the odd portrait shots? Thanks for any replies.

is that including the surcharge for overseas customers and the cost of having them made to suit Irish voltage?

also, you'll have to pay import tax and duty

BanzaiBk

All of the stuff will stay in America. I'm mainly looking for feedback on the brand and the quality etc. Thanks.

Fajitas!

Well, I've been doing a lotta research into this myself of late, and Alien Bee's really do stand out. People debate whether to go Alien Bee or White Lightening though, which is the professional model of AB's.

They do a great kit called the Busy Bee, which is what I've been looking at.

I'm not sure what the story is with them shipping to Ireland, but that dosn't matter to you

The setup is perfect for portraits too, 2 softbox's will suit you down to the ground, though I'd consider getting one larger one.

Borderfox

I use Elinchrom Dlite 4's and find them excellent for product shots, I use them with a light tent and the light is very consistent. I have heard a lot of good things about the AB's though and mostly on this site http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

stcstc

I recently bought a lastolite Lumen8 kit

the heads are 400W, and got a free head
they use the lastolite ezbox softboxes which fold up like a reflector so no fiddly little rods etc to put the box together

the stands are fantastic and very solid etc

the only thing i dont like is the case, the zip on it not great

BanzaiBk

Fajitas! wrote: »

The setup is perfect for portraits too, 2 softbox's will suit you down to the ground, though I'd consider getting one larger one.

Thanks for the reply, I'm considering getting a med and a large softbox after some better thought. I too fought between WH and AB but I can get a good price on the AB stuff and the stuff I've looked at in person has impressed me build wise.

Borderfox wrote: »

I have heard a lot of good things about the AB's though and mostly on this site http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

That's where I heard about AB too:)