AB 800 too much?

[AdrenoJunkie]

I've been reading where it's possible to have too much light for your studio. I'm rearranging my studio to be about 10x20. Would an AB 800 be too much light for that space or should I go with an AB 400. I'll also have a couple of speedlites and will be doing alot of stuff with a blown out background as well as other things.

[jml79]

I wouldn't think it would be to much. It's only 320ws and it's variable down to 1/32 power or 6 stops.

[zona5101]

don't forget you will need a big ass reflector. (inside joke to SusanH)

Back on track...also note you will lose a stop to 2 when you add a soft box or other light modifiers. You also lose light as distance increases and as you move the light off axis. So soft box off axis at 45 degrees to the camera and you could be down 3 stops without touching the power controls... (long way of saying you won't be over-powered - the AB800 will be a great choice)

[autofocus]

Our room area is about the same size you are considering and we use the AB800 through a medium softbox and a Nikon SB800 through a small softbox...both dialed down. It has worked out fine for us.

[AdrenoJunkie]

Thank you guys for the replies. AB800 it is. Now another question, what is a good size softbox to get? I don't need or have room for a huge one but I don't want one too small to be worth having. What is the minimum size you should get?

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by AdrenoJunkie

Thank you guys for the replies. AB800 it is. Now another question, what is a good size softbox to get? I don't need or have room for a huge one but I don't want one too small to be worth having. What is the minimum size you should get?

If you can swing the "giant" one from AlienBees, go for it. It really softens the light and gives gorgeous catchlights. Otherwise the large one is fine (that's the one I have and I love it). I'd have gone with the giant one but most of my work is done on-location and a lot of people have really tiny areas for me to set up and the giant one would be too big.

[AdrenoJunkie]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

If you can swing the "giant" one from AlienBees, go for it. It really softens the light and gives gorgeous catchlights. Otherwise the large one is fine (that's the one I have and I love it). I'd have gone with the giant one but most of my work is done on-location and a lot of people have really tiny areas for me to set up and the giant one would be too big.

Ok I'm an hour late reading this and I just finished my order with Alien Bees. I went with the AB-800 and the medium softbox. That wasn't a bad choice was it, as far as the softbox? I would have liked to have gone for the large but seeing as how I was ordering a ton of other equipment and accessories also, I had to compromise.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by AdrenoJunkie

Ok I'm an hour late reading this and I just finished my order with Alien Bees. I went with the AB-800 and the medium softbox. That wasn't a bad choice was it, as far as the softbox? I would have liked to have gone for the large but seeing as how I was ordering a ton of other equipment and accessories also, I had to compromise.

congrats - you made a great choice and that softbox will be fine! The nice thing about getting the bigger light is you have plenty-o power to use the larger box if you decide to get another box (or other modifiers) down the road...

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by AdrenoJunkie

Ok I'm an hour late reading this and I just finished my order with Alien Bees. I went with the AB-800 and the medium softbox. That wasn't a bad choice was it, as far as the softbox? I would have liked to have gone for the large but seeing as how I was ordering a ton of other equipment and accessories also, I had to compromise.

The medium is okay...try it out and see how you like it. Their CS is great so if you think you'd like to exchange the medium for the large, it will be easy enough. The large really isn't that huge (32x40 inches) and the medium is kinda small. I don't think there's a huge price difference.

[WooD]

Originally Posted by AdrenoJunkie

I've been reading where it's possible to have too much light for your studio. I'm rearranging my studio to be about 10x20. Would an AB 800 be too much light for that space or should I go with an AB 400. I'll also have a couple of speedlites and will be doing alot of stuff with a blown out background as well as other things.

I shoot in an area around 15x20 and use 2 AB800's and one AB400 depending on the shot I'm trying to get, I might break out a couple speedlights too.

I have their 30x60 fold up softbox, and love it to death.