Happy New Year family and friends!!! If you follow my FLICKR stream, you'll notice I've been playing with my new lights and modifiers. There is definitely a distinct difference in the actual light that is given off between the Alien Bee 1600 and my RPS 160 Monolights, which I've been using for one year in my Studio shoots.
Basically the AB1600 is better daylight balanced, while the RPS gives off a slight Magenta tint, but for the price of one AB1600, I can buy another set of RPS Monolights from Canoga Camera. So is the quality of light really worth the additional cost? Is it the Light Modifier, or is it a better understanding of light? I don't know, you be the judge. Here are recent pictures of Drew and C.J., I won't disclose which was shot with what brand of light, or the type of modifier used. Some of the difference can be attributed to Photo Editing software.
Basically the AB1600 is better daylight balanced, while the RPS gives off a slight Magenta tint, but for the price of one AB1600, I can buy another set of RPS Monolights from Canoga Camera. So is the quality of light really worth the additional cost? Is it the Light Modifier, or is it a better understanding of light? I don't know, you be the judge. Here are recent pictures of Drew and C.J., I won't disclose which was shot with what brand of light, or the type of modifier used. Some of the difference can be attributed to Photo Editing software.
For me, the real determining factors in choosing a set of lights are: customer service, brand reputation, tech support, cost of replacement parts, backwards compatibility, and availability of light modifying tools. The RPS 160 Monolights will only support a 20" x 28" softbox and 42" umbrella. The AB1600 can support an 86" PLM, or a 30" x 60" softbox. In the end it really depends on how much you want to spend on your lighting gear.
My struggle is do I spend more money on Speedlights? Or Alien Bees? I do like "On Location" shoots which my compact/lightweight Speedlights will accommodate. However, Alien Bees makes a Portable Battery Pack that'll support up to six lights, but that's a lot of power cords, gaffing tape, power strips, etc... Only time and money will dictate which direction I'll head down, but I better start charging for shoots so I can pay for my gear. Stay tuned for my post about my January 3, 2010 shoot with Sarah Lynn.
P.S.: Thanks Dad for the Alien Bee Ring Flash and light modifiers, Love You!!!
That's A Wrap!!!
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