Alien Bees – Lighting
The B800 will perform.
The AlienBees B800 is a powerful, self-contained studio flash unit, producing 320 true wattseconds and 800 effective wattseconds of power, with 14,000 lumenseconds of output. The power is independently adjustable with 6 stops of stepless power variability from Full down to 1/32nd of the total power, in whole f-stop increments, and everywhere in between. This flashpower is independently adjusted on the back control panel, with a slide fader that shows marked f-stop increments. Utilizing advanced durability flash capacitors, coupled with axial-flow thermodynamics, the B800 minimizes heat build-up, has increased overall durability, and shorter flash durations.
The B800 is ready for bang-bang-bang shooting.
The B800 contains a built-in cooling fan, ready for heavy all-day shooting conditions. With space age speed recycle to full power in just 1 second, you will never be forced to wait for your next shot.
The B800 lets you see what you’re getting.
With precision voltage regulated circuits supplying consistent output, the B800 boasts true “what-you-see-is-what-you-get” modeling lamp accuracy. The modeling lamp can be set to full brightness, turned completely off, or set to track the power changes. Furthermore, the standard 150 watt modeling lamp may be used as a recycle indicator, turning itself off when the unit is recycling, and coming back on to let you know when the unit is fully recycled and you are ready to shoot again.
Don’t be bothered with excessive wiring.
The B800 has a built-in slave tripper, disconnected by plugging in the sync cord, to allow wireless firing where the unit will fire whenever it “sees” a flash from another source. It will automatically dump the excess power, removing the excess charge when the flashpower is adjusted from a higher to a lower setting.
The B800 is versatile and indestructible.
Housed in high-impact Lexan polycarbonate (the same material used for bullet-proof glass), the unit is lightweight and ready to travel. With a quick-release faceplate, a built-in hole for umbrellas, a standard mount for light stands, and a lip on our standard reflector for honeycomb grids, you can easily mount our wide range of accessories. The B800 can also be portably powered with our Vagabond™ Portable Power System.
PLM™v.2: Parabolic Light Modification System
12/20/2010: We are continuing to fill PLM™v.2 backorders as quickly as we can. We hope to be caught up with all orders in the next few weeks so that we can begin shipping new orders from stock in mid-January.
Please note: We have become aware that a number of manufacturers have attempted to copy our revolutionary PLM™ design and are selling counterfeit umbrellas that claim to have the same features and characteristics of our PLM™ umbrellas. Please be aware that these are poorly made copies that have been found to shift the color as much as 1000ºK and fluoresce, resulting in inaccurate color. Paul C. Buff, Inc.™ is the only manufacturer and seller of the true PLM™ umbrella.
The PLM™ System is a modular light modifier system that can quickly be configured as a large, high-output parabolic reflector, as a wide-beam or narrow-beam softbox, or as a bounce or shoot-through umbrella.
The PLM™ System is available in 51-inch, 64-inch and 86-inch sizes, measured tip to tip across the top arc of the open umbrella.
Click here to view our new PLM v.2 advertisement
The updated PLM™v.2 models offer both traditional umbrella-style mountingand faceplate speedring mounting for Paul C. Buff, Inc.™ and Elinchrom units. Opening like a traditional umbrella, the PLM™v.2 has a 7mm umbrella pole that allows it to be used with all Paul C. Buff, Inc.™ flash units and a wide range of flash units by other manufacturers (any models accepting umbrella poles up to 7mm in diameter). New in the version 2 model, we additionally offer faceplate mounting with the provided speedring cage assembly (available for Paul C. Buff, Inc.™ or Elinchrom users). This unique design allows exact centering of the umbrella for accurate aiming and optimal lighting quality. Both configurations – speedring and 7mm shaft – mount with zero protrusion from the back of the light.
Einstein™ E640 flash with 51" White PLM™ using Buff Speedring Assembly
Einstein™ E640 flash with 51" White PLM™ using Umbrella Rod
Note: ALL models of the PLM™ arrive with the umbrella pole for attachment. They additionally arrive with either a Paul C. Buff, Inc.™ speedring assembly or an Elinchrom speedring assembly. To use the PLM™ system with flash units by manufacturers other than Paul C. Buff, Inc.™ or Elinchrom (using the umbrella-style attachment), either the standard Paul C. Buff™ model or Elinchrom model may be purchased.
Silver PLM™
- silver 16-rib parabolic bounce umbrella
- silver inside / black outside
- projects a soft but narrow beam of light
- produces the light pattern and high output similar to a 40° reflector
- two to three f-stops more output than a typical softbox
