Nikon Digital Photography Talk

Previously posted in Nikon in Action
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A more advanced ring flash is one of those things that if one intend to use every blue moon  is not worth the investment.  After taking a look at the offerings from some brands I can’t even pronounce their names, the price for a ring flash seems obscene for many smaller studios moreover for a home studio photographer. I was one of those looking for a reasonable alternative for a ring flash without putting a dent on my credit card but prices kept me away until I came across Paul’s C Buff Alienbees ABR800 ring flash system. Heck, even the name is friendly. As with other Alienbees products, the ABR800 has to be ordered thru their site.

The Alienbees ABR800 Ring Flash can be used literally out of the box without much fuzz. The instruction manual is very straightforward and in no time you’ll be shooting with it. The flash is composed of 2 semi-circular 6” flash tubes and 8 small halogen lamps that will work as modeling lights. Life span under normal conditions is from 250,000 to 1,000,000 on the 6” main flash tubes and 300 to 2,500 hours on the modeling lights at $13.00 per set of 8 lights (not bad).

The flash goes from 1/32 to 1/1 full power with its 300 watts (picture #!). Yes, don’t let the model number fool you into thinking that is an 800 watts unit. A very clever idea with a piece of plastic allow us to use the flash as a strobe with an umbrella as seen on picture #2. The flash arrives pre-asembled with minor things to put together. If you click on picture # 2, you will see what’s in the box. The yellow envelope has the optional set of gels filters (ABRW/DF6). The set is priced at $29.95 and my suggestion is, place the order for it along with the ring flash. It won’t add that much to your shipping and eventually you’ll want them. The gel filter add a very pleasant touch to your subjects skin tones, enlarge picture #7 below for a better look. The system works on a har plastic rail that kind of reminds me a macro focusing rail. It can acomodate from a modest DSLR to a big bulky Nikon D200 with its vertical grip attached to it as seen on picture #4.

Although this flash as seen on these pictures is big, it weights around 2.5 lbs and can be used hand held. The pictures shown here where done actually hand held. Another feature this flash has is the ability to work as a slave triggered by another flash, or wireless thru the remote input as seen on picture 1. It has room enough for those big F/2.8 zoom lenses like the 24-70 or 17-55. The flash can be used virtually with any DSLR as it has a safe triggering voltage of 5.5 volts. All you need is a PC socket on your camera. If your camera does not have a PC socket usually on modest DSLR, a special hot show to PC adapter can be purchased from Paul C Buff for around $14.95 USD. Along with the flash is included a 12” PC to 1/8 plug cord.

The ABR-800 Ring Flash is powered by a 15′ 120v AC power cord. A 25′ foot version is available optional at around $14.95.

If you need power on the go, this unit can be used with the Vagabond Power Pack from Paul C Buff for around 100 shots at full power per charge.
Would I recommend this flash to a friend? I definitely would. Considering the output of a dedicated macro flash and its price, considering the cost of a Nikon SB-800 or the new SB-900. The Alienbees system is a steal for $399.99. Along with that price comes a great customer service with 2 years of warranty. Even if the modeling or main lamps fail under normal condition, the guys at Alienbees will replace them. That’s how confident they are about their product.

Yes, I would recommend it to a friend!

INITIAL SAMPLE PICTURES