Dptips :. Digital Photography Tips, Tricks, and Techniques

I have been looking to upgrade my hot shoe flashes (Vivitar 285 HV units which I use off-camera via Pocket Wizards) for some time now. The reason is because I already have a Canon 580EX for on board use and the fact that the 285s are limiting in terms of modifiers and light output power. Seldom do these flashes pack enough juice to shoot sports (fast shutter speeds) during the day or throw the light how I want it. I occasionally jerry rig modifiers out of the crafts bin to get the job done, but I think its time to get more professional and use something more reliable and consistent. Hopefully after selling both Vivitars I can reach the half way mark to affording a moonlight strobe and then eventually a battery pack that goes with it. The price difference is quite apparent, but I think it will easily pay for itself.

Knowing how compulsive I am with buying camera gear, I asked the experts at WheelsandWax, a professional alternative sports photography forum, about the benefits of using bare bulb strobes over the typical hot shoe flash unit just to be sure I wasn’t making an excuse to buy new toys.

Pros and Cons of using Strobes vs. Hot Shoe Flash units (Thanks Ian and Mike at W&W for helping me out):

Pros:
- Light modifiers and attachment options (ie softboxes, grids, etc.)
- Light quality is substantially better with the modifiers as opposed to an unmodified flash
- Recycle Time is usually much faster (great since I am using it for sports)
- Light Output / Power is usually much greater (note: W/s and GN are not equal comparisons)

Cons:
- Weight (Battery and unit are substantially heavier)
- Cost is at least 2X more

Given these pros and cons, I think it’s fair to say that strobes do have more positives then negatives. Doing some window shopping and reading reviews on other various photography forums, I decided to compare the Alien Bee 800 and Paterson Stellar 300 as both are well recommended and in my price range, Sub $300 (Alien Bee offers 10% for students). Below is a comparison chart of the two models. I’ll post an update after I decide which route I take.

Cheers,

Ivan

	The Alien Bees B800 Flash Unit	Paterson Interfit Stellars 300 W/S, Mfr#INT408U
W/s	320 w/s	300 w/s
Flash Duration	1/3200 sec.	1/1000 – 1/3000 sec.
Recycle Time	1 sec. @ full power	1-2 sec. @ full power
Weight	2.9 lb ( 1.3 kg)	4.8 lb (2.2 kg)
Size	9 X 7.5 X 5.5”	12.5 X 4.75 X 8.25”
Attachments / Modifiers	Alien Bee Proprietary	Stellar or Bowen Adaptor, more modifier options
Color Balance	5600K	5200K
Warranty	2 years	1 year
Included	7 inch reflector, flash tube, 100 watt modeling lamp, 15-foot sync cord, 15-foot power cord, nylon clips for gels	Flash tube, Modeling light (INT 499), sync cord, Reflector (RS5003), Power Cord
Cost / Street Price:	$279.95 from Alienbee.com	$214.95 from B&H.com