Via Flickr:
Minneapolis, MN

I’m doing a “photobooth” type of thing for a wedding reception tonight, and am borrowing a ringflash to use for it. I wanted to test it out before the reception (I’d never used one before, but have always loved the look of it!) so Casey and I shot with it for about 15 minutes last night after I did new headshots for her. I absolutely love it! I’m now tempted to buy a ringflash for myself…what do you think? :) It was a ton of fun to shoot these…Casey & I spent pretty much the entire time laughing!

Many more on my blog! :)

Canon 5D Mark II, 85mm f/1.8. ABR800 at 1/2 power, triggered with CyberSyncs.

www.sarakiesling.com || blog || twitter || facebook || actions

Via Flickr:
Photobooth shot :
I was bored and setup way early and had tons of down time so I took some of the props out and shots some crazy pics lol!

Alie Bee Ring Flash
Muslin White backdrop

Via Flickr:
Photobooth shot :
I was bored and setup way early and had tons of down time so I took some of the props out and shots some crazy pics lol!

Alie Bee Ring Flash
Muslin White backdrop

Alien bee ring flash
+
Flash behind for portrait
17-35 2.8 tamron

I finally got my Alienbees Ringflash- and I am one happy girl.

This thing paired with the 30″ moon unit creates the most beautiful light.

Strobist Lighting Info:
ABR800 Ringflash in 30″ moon unit mounted on tripod
Triggered via Paul C. Buff Cybersyncs

Alien Bee Ring Flash abr800
3 different speedlites shooting off in various spots
17-35 2.8 Tamron

Here’s the great info for the

make up your mind to purchasing the ringflash – Alienbee ABR800 vs Zeus Ringmaster
(from flickr alienbee forum)

alienbee don’t need additional powerpack. just use 120v normal power.

pick your poison . peace !

whitney.dedic says: I plan on purchasing one or the other, but not quite sure which one to get. I obviously like the cost of the ABR800 but is the ringmaster (including the zues powerpack) worth the more money? i would be using the flash indoor and i would also like to be able to use it outdoor as well… Posted at 1:25AM, 30 December 2007 KST ( permalink )

	rmphotog says: get neither get a real ring flash just read the bad reviews on the ABR800 its plastic hunk of junk… Your far better of getting a real ring flash like Profoto… Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )
	Denverite says: I have an ABR800 and while I am not thrilled with the design, and the camera mount, which is large and bulky, its certainly not a hunk of junk. Aside from the mount, I am pretty happy with it. Buying some manfrotto clamps for it, makes using it a lot better. I do agree that if money is no object get the Profoto ringlight. and powerpacks, at least $5K. If your on a limited budget and you need a ringflash, give the AlienBee a look. (less than 0.5K) Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )
	whitney.dedic says: dont get me wrong, i would LOVE to get a Profoto…but i am a college student and definitely cant afford it.. but neither of you really answered my question….which one (ABR800 or Zues Ringmaster) is more worth it to buy? Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )
	jasonbriscoephotography.com says: Go with the ABR800. Power pack and all are in the head unit. Zeus head requires the power pack. The ABR800 is 100 dollars more than the Zeus but does not require a power pack. ABR800 = $399.95 / Zeus Ringmaster ($299.95) + Zeus Power Pack ($599.95) = $899.90. Pick your poison. Peace. Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )
	Denverite says: whitney: sorry, I only have experience with the ABR. I got the ABR after the release of the Zues, because it was cheaper than the Zeus. I think because its lighter and faster to handle, I would prefer the Zues. Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )
	rmphotog says: Take a look at my most recent image for an explaination of the ABR800 and the difference in the profoto and also that the profoto can actually only cost you 700 bucks.. as well as it may be used with your already owned branded power packs.www.flickr.com/photos/13064082@N00/2142071533/ Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

photoshoot and lighting info

Nikon 35mm 1.8

Alienbee ABR800 , Beauty dish

Read more

Full writeup as always here: charlesyehstudios.blogspot.com/2009/11/tricia-jo-reprised…

Camera: D3/24-70mm f2.8G @44mm, 1/200th, f/7.1, ISO200

Strobist: AB800 in 28″ Apollo Westcott softbox from camera upper left. AB800 from camera far upper left.

Model: Tricia Jo Hoffman

Makeup: Kelli Zehnder

Wardrobe: Tricia Jo/Michelle Green

The ABR800 is a highly evolved, self-contained ringflash system designed to meet the challenges of the new-generation creative professional photographer. It is extremely compact, lightweight and easy to use with professional or semi-professional cameras with lenses up to 4 inches in diameter. A studio ringflash is an invaluable and instantly favorite tool of the professional photographer due to its ability to produce essentially shadow-free lighting, revealing unique catchlights in the eyes of subjects when used with fashion and portrait work.

(via www.alienbees.com/abr800.html)

Manufacturer	Alien Bees
Product	ABR800
Format	Monolight
Price (MSRP)	$399
Output (WS)	320/800
Power	120 VAC
Dimensions	8″diam, 4.5″ d
Weight	2.5 lbs
Power Range	1/32 to full, continuous
Modeling Light	150 watt (8, 10 watt bulbs)
Slave	built-in
Remote Control	optional (RR1)
Portable Power	optional (AB Vagabond)
Sync Type	1/8″
Reflector	10″ silver
Accessory Mount	clip
Flash Bulb	2, half circle
White Balance Setting	5600K
Recycle @ full	1s
Accessories	30″ Moon unit softbox
Flash Duration	1/2000s
Sync voltage	<6V
Flash Bulb Durability (flashes)	250k – 1M

Flashpower The AlienBees™ Ringflash is a powerful, self-contained studio flash unit, producing320 True Wattseconds of power and 14,000 Lumenseconds of output. The power is independently adjustable over a stepless 5 f-stop range from Full down to 1/32nd of the total power, in whole f-stop increments, and everywhere in between.
The Back Control Panel The Back Panel of the ringflash unit offers you clear control of the unit’s features, conveniently labeled and collectively located, for quick manipulation. With a slide fader for flashpower control, you can adjust the output steplessly over the 5 f-stop power range. The modeling lamp can be turned on or off with the model “On” button, it may be used as a recycle indicator with the “Cycle” button, and it can be set to track the changes made in flashpower with the “Track” button. With a red dump light and a green ready light, you can clearly see the unit’s recycle and ready status at any point during your shoot while the red test button allows test flashing. The back panel additionally holds the sync jack and remote jack, as well as the slave cell.
Power Requirements As the ABR800 requires AC power, each unit comes with our heavy-duty 15-foot power cord, having a three-wire grounded plug to connect to a standard 120 Vac, 50-60 Hz power outlet. The cord connects to the recessed power socket on the back panel of the unit with a standard IEC connector. The down-angle power cord head and recessed socket eliminate interference with the camera body.
The Sync Cord Our 12-inch sync cord arrives with each ABR800 unit, so that you may connect the ringflash to your camera. This cord has a 1/8-inch stereo plug on one end to connect on the back panel of your ringflash, with a PC-connection on the other end to connect to your camera. With the sync cord, your ringflash will only take its cue to fire from you when your camera shutter is pressed. If your camera does not offer PC-connection, the cord can be connected through your hot shoe with an adaptor or our CyberSync™ 2.4GHz Radio Remote Control systems may be used. For our Hot Shoe Adaptor (item HSA), please see our hardware page. The CyberSync™ 2.4GHz Radio Remote Control systems are now available, click here for more information.
The Flashtubes The ABR800 uses two 6-inch diameter, 10mm flashtubes that work as a pair, with both required for a complete circular flash. The tubes have an expected lifespan of 250,000 to 1,000,000 flashes and upon exhaustion or breakage, the user may easily replace them. The color temperature produced is 5500°K at Mid-Power, varying +/- 200º at other power levels.
The Modeling Lamps A set of eight 10-Watt, 24-Volt Modeling Lamps is used in each unit, mounted coaxially on-axis with the flashtube to provide a true “What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get” modeling preview. Proprietary voltage regulation circuitry provides effective modeling output comparable to a 150-Watt lamp. With matched light patterns and diffusion, the output of the lamps will match the pattern of light that you will see on film or digital image. The long-life, high-efficiency bulbs have a 500 to 3000 hour lifespan and may be simply and quickly replaced by the user when needed.
The Slave Cell and Slave Tripper To reduce the number of cords in your setup, the ringflash has a sensitive built-in slave tripper, allowing you to sync a single light in your setup to your camera and reliably fire the remaining lights in your setup via their slave cells. The slave cell will fire whenever it “sees” any flash of light, and may be disengaged by plugging a sync cord into the sync jack on the back panel.
Internal Venting and Cooling The ringflash incorporates axial-flow thermodynamics to reduce heat build-up, additionally designed with a built-in cooling fan to allow extended, all-day shooting sessions.
The Protective Front Cover / Diffuser Each unit arrives with our front cover, fitted on the faceplate of the unit. This frosted clear cover functions as a safety piece to protect the flashtube and modeling lamp while in transit. While in use, the cover functions as a diffuser, softening the total light output (it may be removed if high-contrast, non-diffused light is desired). Mounted to the inside of the ringflash, the diffuser has an opaque chrome interior to bounce the light into the reflector and keep it away from the lens. Additionally, the piece operates as a gel holder, having a raised lip around the center ring to hold our doughnut shaped gels (sold separately as the Set of Six Warming and Diffusion Filters)
The Ring Reflector The ABR800 arrives with our standard wide-angle reflector. This flat field reflector measures 10 inches in diameter, having an 80° beam spread that provides even coverage with the widest of lens angles. Additionally, the reflector is designed to hold our accessory 20° Honeycomb Grid for “Hollywood Style” lighting and for other low-key effects.
The Housing The ringflash is housed in polycarbonate Lexan (the same material that our standard AlienBees™ flash units are made of – which is the same material used to make bullet-proof glass!). The unique design of the housing allows simple mounting and dismounting of the ring reflector, the front cover / diffuser and the Moon Unit reflector and speedring with a “Reflector Lock” knob located on the back control panel of the unit. The housing design also includes a recessed power cord socket to prevent cord interference with your camera body. The mounting post attached to the back of the housing is the connection point for our universal camera mounting bracket.
Mounting Hardware The ABR800 Ringflash arrives with our universal camera mounting bracket, designed to accommodate most popular pro and semi-cameras with its wide range of adjustment capabilities. The bracket attaches to the ringflash mounting post, offering a convenient, padded camera platform where your camera may be attached with the provided platform mounting screw. The all-in-one bracket offers atripod socket for mounting the bracket on your standard tripod as well as ourswivel light stand mount The lightweight design of the ringflash makes ideal for handheld operation as well, where the extended length of the mounting post may be used as a handle or the bracket itself may be held, fitting comfortably in the palm of your hand. Adjustments are provided to move the camera up and down,in and out and side to side, allowing centering of the ringflash and lens with just about any camera. The bracket can be adjusted vertically to accommodate cameras with a 1-inch to 4.75-inch distance from the bottom of the camera (tripod mount surface) to the center of the lens. The platform can additionally be removed from the bracket, leaving the remaining bracket in position, allowing you to keep your camera attached to review images, change film or use the camera away from the ringflash in non-aim through mode.
The Umbrella Adaptor Each unit arrives with our accessory umbrella adaptor, fitting inside the ringflash center chamber and locked into position using the same twist-and-lock method that is used to attach the ringflash diffuser. The adaptor allows umbrellas to be used with the ringflash unit when using it as a conventional flash in non-aim-through mode. An umbrella pole slides through the adaptor and is tightened into place with the adjustment knob.
Looking for Replacements and Optional Hardware? See our hardware page for for replacement and optional power cords, our replacement flashtubes, our replacement modeling lamps and our replacement sync cord along with alternate sync cord options.