Thanks Lisa and Phil.

Lisa, I already have here at home one pair of PocketWizards. So I could just use those and skip the AB Cybercommander and receivers I guess. Does that sound like the right thing to do?

Controlling all the lights independently from the Cybercommander sounded nice, but maybe not worth the extra expense since I do already have 2 pocket wizards.

Steve

most common business mistake is to go for big toys that you don't need. 2 100w lights will be more than sufficient .. even if you later move into larger subjects like people. Air cushioned stands are a very wise choice .. doesn't provide functional benefits but it's a great insurance policy to prevent damages. For 99% still life a couple 2'x3' boxes will work in most cases .. full body people will require a larger box at least 4' .. 6' is better .. especially for outfits were skin tone in both legs & upper body needs to equalize. Trigger systems need to be either expensive battery or cheap in-line powered. Cheap battery units tend to miss-fire and create additional expense for batteries. In-Line powered receivers tend to never missfire, never be an inconvenience and never create additional expense.
Look at the price of replacement tubes before buying if you are going to be giving them heavy use. Trendy name brands can often cost you $150 just to replace the tube once it burns out .. Cheaper lights that don't spend their money marketing themselves to have a cool name will cost you maybe $15-25 to replace the tube.

Quote from: Randy McKown on April 25, 2010, 21:00

most common business mistake is to go for big toys that you don't need. 2 100w lights will be more than sufficient .. even if you later move into larger subjects like people. Air cushioned stands are a very wise choice .. doesn't provide functional benefits but it's a great insurance policy to prevent damages. For 99% still life a couple 2'x3' boxes will work in most cases .. full body people will require a larger box at least 4' .. 6' is better .. especially for outfits were skin tone in both legs & upper body needs to equalize. Trigger systems need to be either expensive battery or cheap in-line powered. Cheap battery units tend to miss-fire and create additional expense for batteries. In-Line powered receivers tend to never missfire, never be an inconvenience and never create additional expense.
Look at the price of replacement tubes before buying if you are going to be giving them heavy use. Trendy name brands can often cost you $150 just to replace the tube once it burns out .. Cheaper lights that don't spend their money marketing themselves to have a cool name will cost you maybe $15-25 to replace the tube.

Hello, Randy McCown, you have a great portfolio.

I partly agree with your post, but in my opinion, going with two 100W lights is a mistake. My nikon SB 800 is rated as around 60 Ws. Sooner or later, you will think you need more power, especially if you go out and try to over-power the sun (for full figure) or try to use anything above F8. I have a couple of AB1600s and couple of Elinchroms BX 500 Ri, and I don't regret buying them. I have had AB1600 for years, and I haven't replaced the tube yet, even though I haven't treated them the best...

Going with the Alien Bees is a good choice.

Best of luck with your new kit sbonk.

Kone

Since I dropped the Cybercommander and receivers off my list (and I will use my Pocket Wizards), it also is enabling me to get the Canon 400mm f5.6 L lens that I have also been wanting to get. I actually just placed that order.