Alienbee's Setup!?

dazftw

Ok I made a thread a few months back about getting a light setup.. Nothing ever came of that because I really couldn't find exactly what I was looking for! I came across alienbees website and I think ive found something I really want to go for!

It consists of 3 of these flash units

http://www.alienbees.com/b800.html

& 1 of these battery packs!

http://www.alienbees.com/VIIsystem.html

I got a quote from them and the total cost inc shipping would be just under €890

I was orginally going to go for the elinchrom D4 kit which was €700 but I really think this is a better bargain even including customs. Which by reading the faq its 3.2% on flash so how does that work out? Im getting €30 but I could be calculating it wrong..

Any studio guys/girls on here know if it looks like a nice deal?

Fajitas!

I was tempted to buy one of their kits before, they'd be incredible value... but...

A) They'll be taxed to bits by the time they get here... but that's not likely because...

They don't ship to Ireland. Or at least they didn't last time I tried

Would be worth it if you were going stateside to bring a spare big big bag

oshead

They look like excellent kits for the price. Apparently they are planning to ship international in the coming months.

DotOrg

they used to ship internationally the last time i checked about a year ago. you have to pay extra to have them make them 220V compatible though

so in the end i went for bowens kit from calumet in belfast, worked out around the same price as alienbees when you include the shipping, voltage conversion and taxes

peter1892

One of the guys on the Dublin Strobist group (Hedonaut) has a set of them - I don't know if he bought them in the US or got them shipped over (and stung on import duty) though.

Ballyman

Will they trigger a camera remotely like a PW? I use a cheapo ebay thing at the minute and it's not reliable at all. What kind of trigger distance do you get with them?

dazftw

They ship internationally now! I emailed them and they told me a little work around so I can order on the website using the zip code 90210 :rolleyes:

The lights themselves take 120 voltage so I have to get a step up transformer if I want to use them at the mains here in Ireland which im looking for!

The vagabond battery pack accepts 120 - 220 so im fine with that and can use the lights no problem with it.

Fajitas!

Hmmm. They wouldn't ship to me :-/

dazftw

Fajitas! wrote: »

Hmmm. They wouldn't ship to me :-/

Check the site I reckon they can do it now..

You reckon the lights are good value so?

Fajitas!

Not a whole pile wrong with them - Getting the bulbs might be a problem. I've also heard the plastic can break on a fall.

But other than that, go for 'em. Try not to get taxed :pac:

dazftw

I can get the bulbs from them and there cheap enough so I reckon im fine there.. but..

Fajitas! wrote: »

Try not to get taxed :pac:

oh god help me...

eas

Everything considered I'd probably buy something locally - or at least something that can be serviced / supported locally.

Ballyman

Ballyman wrote: »

Will they trigger a camera remotely like a PW? I use a cheapo ebay thing at the minute and it's not reliable at all. What kind of trigger distance do you get with them?

Anyone?

Fajitas!

As far as I know, they won't - Or at least I haven't read anything about it. It'd be worth emailing them though.

Assuming it's the Cactus Triggers you have, I think there's a modification that'll cost you about 5 quid that'll increase their performance.

PaulieC

I got, just yesterday, a set of these plus one of these plus one of these from fotosense.co.uk all for 780. Not sure how much light you need, but these look like they will be plenty. No dicking around with voltage converters, import duty and the like either

dazftw

The only thing about those lights by the look of them there mono lights so I can only use them by plugging them into the mains! The lights im buying will have a battery pack for using it in different locations & also from the mains if I need to! I only need the voltage converter if I want to work from the mains..

Plus im paying €100 euro more for an extra light all of which 800watt and getting the battery pack.. I don't need any of the backgrounds.. the customs im working out at €30 but it doesn't sound right to me, we will have to see haha

Borderfox

Ballyman wrote: »

Anyone?

The are studio flash units as far as I can see Aindreas,

dazftw

I totally forgot about VAT.. crap!

3.2% on "flash items" = $41
21% on "VAT" = $277

= $318 = €223

It sounds right to me now..

I suppose I could sell the flashes I have now if I do get caught..