Big thanks to my friend Anh for picking up this AlienBees B1600 for me. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m returning my White Lightning X1600 next week for an Einstein 640. But the Einstein won’t be here for at least 3 months (it’s on back order). I couldn’t imagine going that long without a studio flash, so I searched high and low on Craigslist and found an awesome deal on this B1600. $280 for the B1600 and carrying case – a savings of $105.88! I see B1600s sell for $320 regularly on POTN, so I had to jump on this when I saw it.
I really prefer the “finger” release levers on the AlienBee over the White Lightning. There are two on the AlienBee as opposed to the one on the White Lightning.
AlienBee
White Lightning
The AlienBee is significantly shorter than the White Lightning. To me, the length of the White Lightning is more aesthetically pleasing, but the AlienBee is more practical in that it takes up less space in storage.
The White Lightning body is solid aluminum while the AlienBee shell is Lexan (polycarbonate). That makes the White Lightning physically tougher, but in practice, it actually takes quite a serious whack to break the Lexan. However, I do prefer the feel of White Lightning body as it just feels more substantial.
The stand mount of the White Lightning is cast and machined aluminum while the mount of the AlienBee is polycarbonate.
The White Lightning comes with a 250 watt modeling lamp and the AlienBee a 150 watt. The modeling lamp on the White Lightning can be adjusted separately from the flash or track directly with the flash. The AlienBee modeling lamp can only track directly with the flash.
More importantly, the X1600 has a 1/4 power mode and 7-stops of adjustment. The B1600, on the other hand, is limited to 5-stops and lacks a 1/4 power mode. The significance of the 1/4 mode on the X1600 is that it essentially becomes a B400 – important if you’re shooting indoors and you don’t need all the power a 1600 has to offer.
Paul C. Buff has started shipping Einstein pre-orders!
1) Here is a look at one of the first Einsteins w/ the CSXCV transceiver and Cyber Commander transmitter! I’m using a school computer, so I don’t have sound. But it is very exciting to finally see them in production! Hopefully I’ll have mine by mid-late summer!
2) Unboxing pictures (courtesy of jacuff on POTN).
Here you can see pictures of the CSXCV transceiver unplugged. It does not use the same mini-phone connection that the previous CyberSync transceivers use. Instead, it is proprietary and will work with the Einsteins only. Note that the CSXCV has the male end of the connection. That is, it has exposed pins that risk being bent. A huge design flaw if you ask me. Then again, they’re only $30 (cheap compared to it’s siblings and competitors.
^^^photo courtesy of ZSutton
4) And here is a brief review from lucky number 001 – the first to receive his Einstein pre-order!
Well, sorta. I’m very pleased with the quality of light that the products produce. However, I’ve had some issues with the defective and broken products (and I’ve only been a customer for less than 2 months).
X1600 – modeling lamp didn’t work. PCB sent me a replacement.
Diffusion sock (beauty dish) – elastic band broke the first time I tried to put it on (and no, I didn’t overstretch it). PCB sent me a replacement.
Inner diffusional panel (giant softbox) – 2/4 buttons broke off. I will be calling PCB tomorrow for a replacement. Edit: They are sending me a replacement (free of charge) via USPS First Class. It should be here by the weekend. Thank goodness for their customer service, or I’d be one very upset customer! Edit: received it yesterday, which is great. I just wish I didn’t have to get a new one to begin with.
I am very pleased with the quality of light that the above mentioned products provide. I just wish I could use everything as it was intended. So far I am very pleased with their customer service, but there is some serious quality control issues over at PCB. Then again, these are budget strobes and accessories (relative to other brands). As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Luckily, their customer service has been outstanding thus far. I don’t think PCB would be nearly as successful if it weren’t for their customer service.
Rocked a shoot with Carissa Christina, a makeup artist (MUA) based in Carslbad, today. Shoot lasted all day and now I’m beat. I’ll update this post (or just make a new one) some time this week. But in the meantime, check out a couple shots.
Edit: As promised, here is a (short) update to the post.
The shoot started at Carissa’s apartment where we got some smokin’ shots (see below, you’ll know what I mean). Around 2 o’clock we wrapped up and our stomachs were getting grouchy, so we head out to Pizza Port in Carlsbad (waaay bigger than their Solana Beach spot) for some bomb Pizza (had the Pizza Roma) and house brewed rootbeer (awesome). Then we headed out to a spot down in Encinitas to work on a ‘lil something Carissa had in mind (you’ll see).
Equipment used on this shoot:
Canon EOS 40D w/ BG-E2N
EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Canon 580EX II Speedlite
Paul C. Buff White Lightning X1600
CyberSync Transmitters
UPS dropped off yet another new toy today – a PCB TS13AC 13-foot Air-cushioned Stand. I picked this up specifically for my X1600 before I decided to return it, but no matter, because it will be used with the Einstein (whenever that arrives).
PCB advertises this stand as 7 lbs, but, either I’ve gotten significantly stronger or it is < 7 lbs. For what it's worth, the shipping weight was listed at 5.5 lbs - but that isn't always accurate. I wish I had a scale around here to check the weight for myself. But the important thing to take away from this is that it's lightweight, making it portable and great for on-location work. Collapsed length is 42.25" with working heights of 42.5" to 13'. The advertised footprint diameter is 44", but I measured the radius at 26", making the diameter a substantial 52". This is ideal for stability when used with studio strobes and large modifiers.
Here are a couple quick snapshots comparing the footprints of the TS13AC to the Impact 8'. It's heard to fully appreciate the footprint of the TS13AC in these pictures.
But it is very exciting to finally see them in production! Hopefully I’ll have mine by mid-late summer!
