One of the sixspeedonline photography guys recommended these to me for my lightbox....

http://www.alienbees.com/b400.html

It seems to me that these are giant slave flashes, and not floodlights, correct?

Anyone have any experience with these things?

 

I am using the Dyna-Lite M523W-PS units with 1000w heads these days to learn the use of light. I rent them because of expense, lack of space in my apartment, and their versatility. When using them, I employ a pocket wizard system and try to avoid any unnecessary cords that I might trip and break my ass on. I haven't used the "Alienbees", but they look very underpowered for much more than fill lighting @ 160 true wattseconds (400 effective wattseconds of power) But for the cost, they might be versatile little units.. Will ask the guys I share the floor here with and see what they know...


UPDATE: The photographers on my floor (advert and fashion) have heard of them, but feel they aren't nearly as powerful as needed for their work. I guess like anything else, it comes down to whether or not these will be the right tool for what you are looking to achieve.

 

Flash heads, not floods. These are Paul Buff's cheap alternatives to his White Lightning series. I've heard almost nothing-but-good about Bees Check the lighting forum at, say, DP Review (IIRC Paul was responding himself to some questions). If I ever get away from hot lights and want to move up past my Speedlights in studio work the Bees are high on my list to look at on bang-for-the-buck.