Hi All!
So I just received my Alien Bee 1600 and I don't know how to use it! I'm on #6 in the instruction manual - attach sync cord to the bee unit (done) and the other end to your camera (done). But it doesn't work! I am shooting with a 5d. Anyone have any advice?

Thanks!
Kate

PS - I ordered the trigger/receiver too, but I do have PW's also, so i will probably return them. I just wasn't 100% sure what I needed.

Kate, when you say it doesn't work - what do you mean?
Does the flash not fire?

Can you hit the test button on the flash and see it fire?

Are you not getting any flash "recorded" on the image? What is your shutter speed?

-bill

Hi Bill,

When I hit the test button the flash does not fire, however if I click the "on" button, the light does go on.

Thanks!

This may seem obvious, but you do have the correct cables and they are plugged in to the correct places right? I made that mistake when I first started out. Can you take a picture of the set-up?

I have the cables that came with the set-up. I think they are plugged in correctly
The sync cord is plugged into the sync button on the bee unit, and the other end in plugged into the side plug on my 5d - the one that has the little flash symbol on it. Is that right?

You mention that the flash comes on when you turn it on. Is it possible that you are confusing the modeling light as the flash? Make sure the unit is on, and then press the test button.

Hope that helps,

you know what - i'm an idiot! i do mean the modeling lamp. and when it was delivered the flash-ring was broken from shipping. OMG I'M STUPID! shhhhh - don't tell anyone
DUH

They are shipping a new flashring this week. So DUH - I'm assuming it will work then. I can't believe I was trying to make it work even though i knew it was broken.

THANK YOU!!

ok you clever people, i got the flash to work. hooray! now - how do i make it work via PW's?

you guys rock,
kate

Use a cable that AB provided to plug the AB into the flash input on PW1. Put PW2 on top of your camera. Insure they are both on the same channel. That should do it.

If you have problems with that after all connections are made. Push the test button on PW1. If no flash, check batteries in PW1. If still no flash, that means you more than likely have a bad cord. If that does work, then push the test button on PW2. If that doesn't work check batteries. If it does work and it still doesn't work on camera, take PW2 of camera and try again. Make sure it is facing the right way. It really shouldn't allow you to put it on the wrong way.

Hope that helps.
bill
PS - your profile image is great.

The AB lights don't come with the necessary cable to connect to a PocketWizard. You need a 1/8" mono to 1/8" mono cable. You can get these at Radio Shack, but they're 6 feet long. You can get shorter ones from a camera store that sells PocketWizards. The Radio Shack ones are much, much cheaper.

Good note Adam. I guess, since I asked for them at the time of the order they just threw some in. Can't get freebies if you don't ask for them

darn i wish i had known that when i ordered them! radio shack here i come. this better be worth it after all this crap! LOL


thanks for all your help!

Alien Bees sells short ones for super cheap.

thanks Bill

So I am ready to pull my hair out. I got the cord at radio shack. the AB itself works when i hit the test button. but it does not work at all via the PW's. grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Are the PW on the same channel? What happens when you connect the PW to the AB? Turn it on and hit the test button? Nothing? Check battery in PW.

-bill

i tested the set-up out with some girlfriends on saturday night. i just used my flash on a lightstand. I couldn't get the settings right and the light was too harsh. i have a huge softbox for the alien bee, but it's too big to put on the flash. i had a couple of omnibouce diffusers that could have helped but my puppy chewed them up. here is a sample pic.batteries are good. i had no issues when using it with my regular flash. when i connect it to the AB it does flash. but when i hit the test button on the PW i get nothing.

Ok so let me see if I get this right:

You set up the AB. You push the test botton on the back that works. If you connect the cord directly to the camera that works.

You connect the AB to you PW. You push the test button on the PW that is connected to the AB, that does NOT work?

Have you tried connecting the PWs to the non-AB flash? Does that work?
-bill

I had one of those radio shack 1/8" male/male cords once and it did NOT work, the plug was slightly different than the 'real' ones. Try using the 15' cord that came with the AB and see if that fixes it. If so then order the short cable s from a camera store (B/H, Adorama, Etc) or from the AB website.

Good luck. And ya, the AB is a powerful light source, you may need to turn it way down for inside portraits, or turn your f-stop up. ;-)

Oh, and as with any light source, generally don't point it directly at the subject, use the edge of the light or bounce/modify it to soften. You can make some really edgy images with hard light straight at the subject, but they're rarely flattering...

~Bill

that is correct. the pw's do work on the non-ab flash. maybe it's the cord i got? that is the only thing i can think of.haha, you got that right!

Yep. that is it. Are you saying the big cord you got with your AB does not fit (connect) between your AB and the PW?

Bill
PS - I wish I lived closer so I could just come over and get this wonderful toy working for you.

I've heard/read those cords can be kind of spotty! Hope it's an easy fix!

yeah the cord that came with the AB's doesn't fit the PW, so i had to get the 1/8" to 1/8" - which fits. but i guess doesn't work for some reason.
i wish you lived closer to! i'm so ready to give up. at least for today. i truly appreciate all your help though!

Hey Kate,

I'm new to the PW world so...

I had the same problem with my AB using the 1/8 to 1/8 Radio Shack cable. I beleive the cable that came with your PW's, the little " 1/8" mono to male pc " or your AB cable will work with this adapter on your ABee.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1054..._Miniphone.html

I've heard these are more reliable.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/4212...hone_to_PC.html

Either way, this will get your AB poppin !

Good luck girl.

do i need both of those?

No you don't Kate. Get this one http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/4212...hone_to_PC.html

I'm ordering one as well. It might take alittle longer to ship and a few bucks more but like I said and heard it's alot more reliable.

If you need one sooner than get this one.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1054..._Miniphone.html

I called B&H and the dude said thats what we need.

ok, my fingers are crossed! thanks Burt

Hey Kate,

Have you ordered yet ? I had a chance to do alittle more research. Hope you get this before you ordered. If you did no big deal any of those two will work.

I'm ordering straight through Paramount.

http://www.paramountcords.com/proddetail.asp?prod=PW%2DMPCF

haven't ordered it yet. i'm waiting for you to figure it out first

Just got it in and tested it with the AB800 and it's a poppin !!! Cool !

Used the cord that came with the pw's and the paramount adapter. Took 4 days to ship going through Paramount.

sweet!!!!!