Anyone use the ABR800 AlienBees Ringflash, your lens fits right through the middle....seems like a great light
if your my yourself and you don't have someone to hold a flash stick....

I had actually considered buying one about a week ago, but after talking to some photo buddies of mine, I decided against it.

I'm an Alien Bees strobe user (dual B800s), and it's convenient because the Paul C. Buff facility is about 5 minutes from where I live, so I've had a chance to go in and see the stuff and play in their demo room.

With regard to the ABR800, you're essentially looking at a B800 in ringflash format. It's wonderful for the high-fashion look, but unless you're going for that, it's not the best thing to use, as you're using a standard strobe. Instead of holding a flash stick, you'll have to hang the saddlebag Vagabond unit to supply power to the flash, as it is not battery powered or powered off the camera battery. If you don't have the Vagabond battery pack (or some other form of portable, clean AC power), you'll be confined to wherever there's a power outlet.

I was going to get one for portrait work, but I wasn't able to justify the cost of the unit when I could get another B800 for less, as I wouldn't be taking enough of those style pictures to warrant the full $400 (plus 9.25% TN tax!).

Even without a portable power supply, it gets heavy. Holding it for the length of a wedding or something similar would really be something. It's fun in the studio though!