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Student Help concerning watts
http://www.paulcbuff-techforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1656		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  JonS [ Sun Jul 31, 2011 12:55 am ]
Post subject:  Student Help concerning watts
Hey everyone. So I want to get a nice studio set for protraits and just a nice set to cover anything I may shoot. I have been a student/Amateur photographer for 6 years. I have studio experience. The time feels right that I get my own studio lights and start to build a solid work foundation.
So on to the questions.
1) From my experience the number in a flash unit's name is the power wattage. So I would think the Alien Bee B1600 can go to 1600 watts worth of power but then why does it say it can use any where from 20w to 640w?

2) As an example if I had 4 for those flash units mentioned above. Would it be safe to run all 4 at full power from my own home? (Not that I need 4 and I'm not buying 4 but I just want to be on the safe side)

This last one is just if any one was wondering and wanting to help
Here is the list of Items I was thinking would be good to get

ABR800 AlienBees Ringflash $399.95 ea. 1 $399.95 change qty
then click

B1600-P B1600 Pink Studio Flash $359.95 ea. 2 $719.90 change qty
then click

B400-G B400 Green Studio Flash $224.95 ea. 1 $224.95 change qty
then click

B800-B B800 Black Studio Flash $279.95 ea. 1 $279.95 change qty
then click

CRK42 5-in-1 Reflector Kit $69.95 ea. 1 $69.95 change qty
then click

FOB47 Foldable Large Octabox (47in.) with attached speedring $169.95 ea. 1 $169.95 change qty
then click

HGX4 Set of 4 Grids for 7AB/R $59.95 ea. 1 $59.95 change qty
then click

LG4X LG4X Four-Channel Wired Remote Control $99.95 ea. 1 $99.95 change qty
then click

LS1100 Backlight Stand $24.95 ea. 1 $24.95 change qty
then click

LS3050 10-foot General Purpose Stand $39.95 ea. 2 $79.90 change qty
then click

PCBBAG Einstein/Alienbee Single Light Carrying Bag $12.95 ea. 4 $51.80 change qty
then click

TS13AC 13-foot Air-Cushioned Stand $99.95 ea. 1 $99.95 change qty
then click

U48SW 48-inch Silver/White Umbrella $29.95 ea. 1 $29.95 change qty
then click

Please and Thank you Everyone!
Author:  ltwimberly [ Sun Jul 31, 2011 10:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Student Help concerning watts
The B1600 is a 640w strobe. B800 is 320w, etc.

PCB named them that way based on "effective watt-seconds." It implies that the actual light output from a B800 could be compared to an 800w strobe from another manufacturer because the Alien Bees have a more efficient design. I'm not an engineer but I believe there are old articles/posts written by Paul that explain this in detail. At any rate, they have moved away from that practice with the Einstein - a 640w strobe and thus called the E640.

I doubt there's any safety issue related to plugging in 4 or 40 Alien Bees if your home is wired safely, but again I'm not an engineer. I'm sure TS can tell you for sure about that. I would imagine that worst case you'd trip breakers.

I think everyone would have their own (often strong) opinions about what equipment to buy. Here are some suggestions:

If I had it to do over again, I'd only buy Einsteins. They are capable of a range of light output that spans the whole B400-1600 range, more precisely and reproducibly adjustable because they're digital, have better motion-freezing capability, more color consistency across power settings, and represent the current cutting edge of PCB's innovations. I think the Einstein is the best studio strobe money can buy.

Also, if you buy several different strength strobes you'll have to do extra math in your head - B800 at 1/8 strength is B400 at 1/4 strength etc. And if you set both of those strobes that way, they'd have comparable light output but differing color temperature and differing flash duration. Personally, I'd rather have all Einsteins.

I would strongly consider getting the Cyber Commander over the wired remote. Paired with the Einstein, the Cyber Commander is an awesome wireless solution in a league of its own.

I would really look at the PLM products, and I'd wait for the new soft-silver ones that are about to be released. Everyone will have their own opinions regarding light modifiers but the PLM's are stand-out products. Also, I find that for many applications a simple, shoot-thru 60" white umbrella produces light that's hard to beat. But if you want more control of the light (less spill, traditionally by a using a softbox) I think the PLM's can give you that but retain the portability, weight advantage etc. of an umbrella.

Lastly, if you ever plan to take your show on the road, the Vagabond Mini-Lithium is very, very nice. Also, if you'll be moving your stuff around, you might consider a rolling suitcase type bag etc. rather than the single light carrying bags. They're nice and I have one for each light, but in the long run you don't want to carry 6-8 little bags to a shoot. I just bought a Think Tank Photo Airport Security 2.0 and I wish I'd started that way. It easily holds 2 Einsteins, VML and spare battery, 2 Canon speedlites with external battery packs, and still lots of room to spare. I think I could get 4 PCB lights in there plus VML and more if I wanted to.
Author:  Technical Support [ Sun Jul 31, 2011 9:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Student Help concerning watts
There is no safety concern in plugging 4 lights into one circuit. The breakers/fuses are there for that purpose. If using Bees, you connect 4 to one 15A ciruit (typical household circuit amperage) without tripping the breaker under reasonable shooting rates.
Author:  JonS [ Tue Aug 02, 2011 12:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Student Help concerning watts
Ok Thank you everyone. I am also looking into the Vagabond as well as the inflatable studion. Im trying to be completely moblie if I can. Thank you all ever much.
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