High quality unit, consistent light quality, fast recycle, cheap, MADE IN THE USA, fun, fair, phenominal customer service.

Can't really think of any.

As a semi-pro wedding photographer, I have used the heck out of my AlienBee B800 over the last nearly two years. When it comes to equipment I have purchased, there is no other item for which the benefit/cost ratio is higher. Despite heavy use, the B800 has performed exceptionally. I did have a problem with the flash sync plug, but that only occurred after tripping over the cord enough times to sort of get the plug out of whack - so long as I tied up the cord to put upward pressure on it, it was fine - again, not the fault of the unit. In October, I was shooting a group outside with the unit and a big softbox, when the wind caught it and knocked it over - not the first time it had happened. Unfortunately, this time, it came down hard on a concrete surface, cracking the case and the bracket. When I plugged it it, it would only click off again. Oh well, broken equipment is just an opportunity to upgrade, so that evening, I ordered a B1600. The next day, when AlienBees reopened, I called to see if they could repair the B800 so I could use it for back up. The nice person I talked to told me to send it in and since it was under warranty, they would probably fix it for free. I told them it was my fault, and I didn't think they should do it. I did send the unit in, and included $100 check to pay for the shipping and repairs. I got a call a few days later to tell me they would repair it, but were ripping up my check. Again, I insisted that it was my fault and I didn't expect them to pay for it. Didn't matter - they refused to accept any money and sent me back a new unit. Has any other company EVER gone that far out of its way to ensure customer service? I don't think so. DON'T EVEN CONTEMPLATE BUYING FROM ANY COMPANY OTHER THAN ALIENBEES!

Customer Service

OMYGOD - the best.

Similar Products Used:

B1600; SB600; SB800

Powerful light output Light weight Easy to control Huge selection of accessories for these lights

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For the money, this is a great light. I was really wanting to buy Photogenics, but some local photographer friends suggested I check out Alien Bees. I purchased their largest softbox and have not been dissappointed.

Customer Service

Excellent, wouldn't expect anything less from a southern company. Good folks at Alien Bees!! Thanks Lori!!

Similar Products Used:

Briteck monolights Novatron pack lights

Small, light, CHEAP, powerful, consistent.

Relatively slow to recycle, not built to sustain abuse.

The only thing that is skimped on with these units is build quality. I have never had any functional issues with either of my two B800s. Using one light in a softbox, I never seem to need more than half the power output.

Customer Service

Beyond compare. I had a problem when a unit arrived damaged. Paul Buff, the owner of the company, answered my email on a Sunday and worked with me to get a replacement wthin days.

Similar Products Used:

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Quick recycle, powerful, light weight, fan cooled, compatible with most White Lightning accessories, 10% student discount, and the list goes on.....

NONE

I read many of the reviews on this site before making my final decision to buy these lights. I have to say I am very impressed with the quality with them. I have used them on many occasions and they never stop impressing me. I had originally bought some JTL lights but the day I had a big shoot, one of the JTL's caught on fire! Needless to say, I returned them and promptly used that money and the money made from the job to buy 2 B800's and 1 B400. No problems at all with these lights. They are powerful and recycle very quickly. I have never had to use them on full power, in fact I use them mainly at 1/4 power, but it's nice to know it's there if I need it. Stop hesitating and just buy it. Here some pictures I did with them. http://www.ulrichphoto.com/images/DadGuitar2.jpg and http://www.ulrichphoto.com/images/Lundblad2.jpg They are really a good deal.

Customer Service

one word - awesome

Similar Products Used:

JTL (sucked)

It works.

Did not have any.

I am a novice at studio lighting and wanted to get a economical light. I had bought a Calumet Travelite 750 kit, and wanted a second light. The light is not a tank but I think the concern level would be the same if you dropped a Dynalite or an Alienbees. The light works well and has the features you need. In a non-photographic comparison, you are not getting a Lexus but a Honda Civic... it will get the job done nicely without the added dollars.

Customer Service

By far the best customer service I had to deal with for any company. I bought a Alienbees B400, it was not working properly. Called customer service, and without asking me, advised they were sending a replacement even before the return of the defective model. Try to get that response from B & H.

Similar Products Used:

Calumet Travelite 750

cooling fan built in slave smaller yet powerful prices good build

none so far

Great lights! I recently purchased (2) B800's plus a few accessories. They fired up and have been woking great since I took them out of the boxes. They are light weight, yet powerful, and the built in cooling fan/slave are really nice. Their smaller sizes makes it easier to manuever them. The prices are excellent too. The colors that you can choose are a little funky, I picked plain black. Since these two lights have been doing great, I've been thinking about ordering another one. Overall, I am very pleased with the B800's.

Customer Service

I called Alien Bees to ask them questions about some accessories, and they were extremely nice, helpful, and full of knowledge. He welcomed me to call back anytime for any other Bee questions. I was very pleased.

I purchased an entire lighting system 3 lights, 2 stands, and 2 brolly boxes, with shipping for under a grand!

felt the slider on the back could be a little stronger, and the back panel looks glued on.

These lights are alsome! I have worked with a lot of different lighting systems over the years and all I can say is Paul Buff has done it again! I purchased 3 B-800 lights, 2 brolly boxes, and 2 stands and all I can say I was plesently surprised. I was expecting a nice back-up lighting system, well forget it they have become my primary lights.

Customer Service

only one word- OUTSTANDING!

Similar Products Used:

white lightning, norman, calumet

Price Lot of accesories Performance Flexible web ordering Knowlegable people

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I have two 800's and one 400 and have found their performance top notch. The whole process in fact, from ordering on the website to delivery was great. I like that you could keep a running total of your purchase with discounts and change your mind midstream: somebody there did their homework. As everyone has said, for the price (even if they were more), they perform well and have an abundance of accesories that make them perfect for a wedding and portrait photographer. They are small, flexible and powerful!

Customer Service

Great when I had a shipping question!

Similar Products Used:

Photogenic Studiomax-Medalight 4001

Well designed, well made, light weight, Good warranty, compatability with white lightning and other accessories. User replaceable flash tubes, modeling lamps from any hardware store. Easy to use and upgradeable to higher power version. Affordable with an entire system to expand with. Good phone support. Now fully portable with optional battery thingy .

Wish it would auto dump faster when lowering the power, Weak modeling lamps, no audible ready, cheap feeling power adjustment slider and adjustment knobs. Doesn't look pro. Not True pro units but for the price why complain. Weren't around when I got the photogenics.

I only had the unit for a few days but I have fired 17 rolls with it and ran it for 16 hrs over the last 3 days. I got the beginner bee packages with a brolly box ( I have enough umbrellas ). First impressions were mixed, the unit's back panel looked glued on, the power adjustment was a slider with no click stops, the knobs felt a bit cheap, the standard light stand looked a bit light weight to me and I was hoping the brolly box would have a thicker material. Thats when I started to be impressed. I set up the stand and then noticed despite it's light weight it was well made and sturdy, no rattles, it's stronger than it looked. Put the B800 on it and it all fit well. Placed the brolly box on it ( please do shake it like the little paper slip said I almost ripped it apart when a spoke was loose but the thin material was thankfully rather durable ) and did a few test fires. Test fired it against my photogenics 4001 and was expecting a 1 stop increase not 2. The units are ergonomic and easy to understand, they seemed a bit more powerful than they should be but I'll credit the reflector design for that. The brolly box is a neat idea, a shoot thru umbrella with silver liner and black backing, it adds 1/2 stop more than a plain shoot thru and is as soft as a shoot thru umbrella. It's not a soft box but way easier to set up and I'm sure they could add some sort of grid to diffuse it a bit more. For their price and what they offer these are a good value and I have no doubt they will serve well. Tho I won't say these are real pro units ( but at the cost of renting pro units may as well own something close ) I will say for hi end prosumer use I recommend these highly. These will replace my photogenics units as they die off ( 2 more to go ). The new battery pack may add to my mobility if I ever end up at a shoot a 50' extension cord can't reach an outlet. My rating is based on both price and units of similar power range.

Customer Service

Lori was able to answer questions rather well, much better than most Phone order people, they know their products and when asked a few questions that a regular answer script won't have was able to answer quickly and correctly, This added alot of reasurance that if I did need to use warranty or phone support I'll get usable answers.

Similar Products Used:

Photogenics ( which I own ), Novatron, Bowens, Crown, Elinchron ( others have rented or used at others studios ).

Price, power, recycling time, ease of use, stepless output adjustment.

These could really use more powerful modeling lights. By no means a showstopper as they are, though. Proper light measurement and "vision" will easily compensate for the relatively weak modeling light (even with 150-watt bulb installed).

Super system!! As a relative newcomer to studio photography, I was attracted to the low price of these lights. Bought two B800s to start and will definitely buy at least one more light -- probably a B400 -- when money allows. I don't think it's possible to beat Alien Bees for the price. Plenty of power, features, quality and great customer service!

Customer Service

Superb! One of two lights ordered arrived with defective cooling fan. Company replaced it immediately. Great people to talk to. They inspire confidence in the company and the products.

Similar Products Used:

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