Got my first Alien Bee!

[bhursey]

I was borrowing my friends AB400 with large softbox and 10 foot stand from my friend for a shoot this week. When I we were trying to find out where to meet to return it. He said you can keep it for 100$ I never use it. I was stunned. So now I have a nice setup to use inside. I want to modify the speed ring to take a hot shoe flash next. The AB400 is there 160w/s model Which I believe my 580EXII is around 65w/s.. All I have to do next is to see if it is possible to do n ice blue sky at say 5 or 6pm. I think if I can get f8 or f10 at 100iso and 1/250 I can do it. Next on my list will be a portable battery pack. The main reason im happy about the strobe is I have been tasked to do allot of pictures. Like Wednesday I did kindergarden graduation pictures. 57 kids about 3-4 shots a piece to make sure I got a good one, and tomorrow I am shooting Mothers day photos for my church. So we are talking probably 100-300 people or more.. We have 3 studio setups and 3 photographers.

Im quite excited. I would love to have a 800 or a 1600 but I think a 400 will do fine..

[zona5101]

Congrats!
For small rooms, the 400 is going to be perfect. sometimes its hard to dial a bigger light down far enough to get a large aperture... and it has enough power and fast recycle for bigger jobs. When you get your vagabond, your poor speed lights will be delegated to background and rim lights... ;(

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by zona5101

Congrats!
For small rooms, the 400 is going to be perfect. sometimes its hard to dial a bigger light down far enough to get a large aperture... and it has enough power and fast recycle for bigger jobs. When you get your vagabond, your poor speed lights will be delegated to background and rim lights... ;(

I already want a vagabond.. I think I will get that when I save up enough for either a AB800 or 1600..

Really out side on site portraits are not what is the reason I want the AB. The reason is those long multiple family event, or mass portrait sessions I get volunteered for by church or my wife. I burn though batteries. Its sorta not that great having to say hold on let me go change my batteries.

I am gonna be tired tomorrow going to be doing mothers day photos 7am -1pm.

Finally got a membership to cosco bought 20 rechargeable AA eneloop bateries and 8 AAA

[i speak in math]

modify the speedring to take a hotshoe flash? Wha?

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by i speak in math

modify the speedring to take a hotshoe flash? Wha?

You tap out one of the holes.. To take the brass spikot. Then you attacht a cold shoe bracket. I may have to build mine.

[zona5101]

Most rings will already by tapped with a 1/4-20 hole then just need to drill an alignment hole if your strobe bracket has a reference pin. I had to do that did to my calumet ring to fit a photoflex hot shoe bracket. Mod didn't effect the ring from being used on the monolight at all.

[i speak in math]

But why? Why would you want a hot shoe flash on top of a strobe?

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by i speak in math

But why? Why would you want a hot shoe flash on top of a strobe?

Its so I can just use the softbox out side with my canon 580EXII.. I dont have a bat pack for the AB

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by bhursey

Its so I can just use the softbox out side with my canon 580EXII.. I dont have a bat pack for the AB

Yup and I dd my mod so I could use the softbox on either the monolight or portable flash

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by zona5101

Yup and I dd my mod so I could use the softbox on either the monolight or portable flash

Saves me money from having to go out and buy another softbox for my speed lights.. I still want an Apollo 28 inch but moneys tight.