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Post by Steve (FloppyDog) on Nov 23, 2009 11:36:20 GMT -5
About a year or so ago I purchased a cheap 3-strobe Smith Victor kit (150w strobes) which worked great the first few months. Then, one stopped firing last spring when I was shooting the company photos for the catalog pages. Then, last weekend's shoot yielded some under exposed images, not a lot but a few. (suspiciously like the ones you get before a strobe recycles) So, yesterday morning we're setting up and I notice a strobe wasn't recycling. Rather, it would recycle sporatically like five seconds, thirty seconds, several minutes.  So, I think I'll retire the one working strobe to a hair light and do some strobe shopping next week.  Don't buy cheap strobes. |
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OrcaBob
Lead Photographer
Frank Zappa lives
Posts: 394
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Post by OrcaBob on Nov 23, 2009 12:51:11 GMT -5
AlienBees. They're inexpensive but excellent quality and durable. Lotta bang for the buck.
I've had mine for over a year and a half and they've fallen over from high up, had water dripping into them as they were operating, and they've traveled. I've had to replace modeling bulbs, but those are standard household incandescent bulbs. I have yet to replace a flash tube.
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Post by jimhobson on Nov 23, 2009 13:33:25 GMT -5
I've never had any experience with AlienBees.
I use(d) SP Excalibur 3200. Still have four of them and never had any problems with them, and I used them a lot. Other than in the studio, I've used them on location doing Pictures w/ Santa, the Easter Bunny, Student pictures at Day Care centers and the local Karate schools every year. They run $239.95 ea. at B&H Photo. The Air-Cushioned light stands in the kit are great.
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Post by Steve (FloppyDog) on Nov 24, 2009 13:52:17 GMT -5
Thank you gents. I'm looking at these as well as White Lightning and Bowen systems.
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OrcaBob
Lead Photographer
Frank Zappa lives
Posts: 394
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Post by OrcaBob on Nov 24, 2009 16:25:15 GMT -5
Keep in mind that White Lightning is part of the same company (Paul Buff, Inc) that makes Alien Bees. Paul Buff, Inc, is known for its phenomenal customer service.
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Post by Steve (FloppyDog) on Nov 24, 2009 16:51:09 GMT -5
Keep in mind that White Lightning is part of the same company (Paul Buff, Inc) that makes Alien Bees. Paul Buff, Inc, is known for its phenomenal customer service. Yes, I've been finding nothing but rave reviews about this company and their products. I think the Alienbees may be the winner as I can't seem to find any negative feedback about them. My first set was Photogenic which I loved, but I think the AB's seem to have more options for accessories. |
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OrcaBob
Lead Photographer
Frank Zappa lives
Posts: 394
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Post by OrcaBob on Nov 24, 2009 22:45:09 GMT -5
I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating...
When I ordered my setup, I called and got an actual human on the phone on the third ring. That person wasn't the person actually taking orders, but she was glad to field questions. I found that amazing for staff on the main switchboard.
She passed me along to a salesperson who was either incredibly well trained or an experienced photographer herself. Though I had a shopping list already written down, she asked about my camera and what types of photography I planned on doing. She not only recommended changes in my list, but because I was on a budget she steered me away from more expensive options I didn't need. That kind of honesty and customer-orientation blew me away.
Their 30-day no-questions-asked return guarantee showed their total confidence in their product.
Some of the pickier pros on Model Mayhem claim that Alien Bees have unreliable color-temperature especially at lower power, but I've never noticed such a phenomenon.
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So, I think I'll retire the one working strobe to a hair light and do some strobe shopping next week. 
