Yes, I know that Alien Bee & White Lightning strobes are THE BEST, but there are other lighting systems out there, somone is offering me a Photogenic StudioMax II 320.

Here is some more info (from the seller, I asked him to compare it to a White Lightning X800):


The Photogenics...
- Also reduce to 1/32 power,
- Also have a built-in optical slave (will fire in response to other flashes firing),
- Has a modeling lamp, but I don't think it's as bright, and it's not adjustable (it can be turned on and off, though),
- Also has a very long power cord and reasonably long trigger cable, but I don't know *exactly* how long they are,
- Are 320 WS flashes. I believe that's equivalent to the WL model you pointed me to. From what I recall, the "true ws" values are multiples of 160 (ex: 160, 320, 640 ws) and the other numbers are multiples of 400 (ex: 400, 800 and 1600).
- Also comes with a reflector, right about a 7" one,
- Have a test button (assume the WL's do too),


Does anyone know anything about these?

Would you buy them? (why/why not?)

Thank you,
Neal

I'd buy them in a heartbeat. Photogenics are probably the best lights out there. ABs and WLs are much cheaper, though, when buying new.

Thank you Adam, I'm thinking about it, but then I saw this:


Two Alien Bees B800 monoblock strobes w/ reflectors, one Large softbox with speedring, one Large umbrella, one beauty dish (also compatible with white lightning) and two lightstands for $500.

I've used Photogenics and White lightnings... both are good...

The photogenics are nice--but it's hard to argue with the price on the Alien Bees

I'm sure whatever you get will work well--remember, it's the photographer not the gear.

for the price you can't beat AB's I love mine. The studio I worked out of last year had photogenics and they were nice but you get a lot more for your $$$$ with AB's

if you dont but the AB's let me know I would like to have a few more.
sf

i love my photogenics and despite the AB's price, I wouldn't give my PG's up

I've got the Photogenic DRU1250's...love them...but I'm not using them as much as I used to. I'm doing more available light (I have a 5D now...the PGs were purchased when the 10D was just a baby!).

You might consider holding off until your photography blueprint (i.e. your long-term strategic plan) is more solidified.

Take the Eric Hegwer approach...don't buy anything until / unless you can pay cash and it will pay benefits right away.

(And remember my advice is overpriced at free! )

Good advice. Everyone I know that has the AB's absolutely rave over them. The AB's are basically white lightnings in plastic housings instead of metal. The customer service with the Paul C Buff company is amazing and sets the standard of how service should be.

Yep..., that is why I am going with a Sunpak 120j and TR-PAK II (I think that's the battery pack) I found on Craig's List for $135!!!!!

Dan: I still want to come out there and shoot with you, but I have no PTO right now!

Is this AB set for sale still? It shouldn't be. I'll buy it.

Cheers,
Zack

The guy never returned my phone calls or my e-mails, so I am guessing that it is no longer available.