Alien Bee's vs. Pocket Wizards

I'm a bit new to the whole studio lighting thing. I shoot Canon and have the 580EXII flash and the 580EX, and am soon to be purchasing light stands and umbrellas (finally). Can you recommend whether to get Alien Bee's or Pocket Wizards and why? Thanks so much!!!

Tags: alien, bees, lighting, pocket, wizards

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Permalink Reply by Shane E. on December 10, 2009 at 11:55pm
Not really in regards to the two products named above, but beware of buying extremely cheap transmitters. All of them generate magnetic interference, but the quality ones rarely (if ever) affect your image sensor to a noticeable degree. However, the cheap transmitters, when mounted to your camera can actually put some hard core funhouse effects on your images from time to time. Just an FYI.
Permalink Reply by Amber Sigman on December 11, 2009 at 12:02am
I borrowing a friend's Alien Bee for the next few days, It's super easy to work with. Would like to try out PW's sometime tho, simply due to the wireless factor. Thanks for all the advice! Seriously guys. ;)
Permalink Reply by Nina Greipel on December 11, 2009 at 11:00am
Amber, while you have my alien bees feel free to come back and check out my PW...maybe we can work out a deal where you take our family portrait???

Amber Sigman said:
I borrowing a friend's Alien Bee for the next few days, It's super easy to work with. Would like to try out PW's sometime tho, simply due to the wireless factor. Thanks for all the advice! Seriously guys. ;)
Permalink Reply by Amber Sigman on December 11, 2009 at 12:35pm
That sounds great Nina! I'd love to. Let me know when you want to do that, after next week though due to travels and such. Thanks. ;)
Permalink Reply by Michael Tigue on December 11, 2009 at 3:05pm
Yes, but I don't need more than four channels. Some of you guys with fish eye lenses might.

Ryan Armbrust said:
4 channels though...

I use the Cyber Syncs and love them. Find me anyone with better customer service than Alien bee / Paul C. Buff and I will hand over a pair of D700's!
Permalink Reply by Ryan Armbrust on December 11, 2009 at 3:34pm
If you are shooting in a busy area, downtown etc...
I have had channels that would be acting up. It is nice to have a few to choose from.
Permalink Reply by Jacob Zimmer on December 11, 2009 at 7:44pm
So CS has more or less than 4 channels?
Permalink Reply by casey moore on December 12, 2009 at 3:50am
yeah you can't beat AB's customer service, I use pocket wizards personally but thats just because I had a bad expirence with the elinchrom skyports which were supposed to be awsome so when I switched I figured might as well splurge on 4 pw's and I'd never have to worry about whether they will fail or if they will work with the lighting Im using at the time. But I love the AB strobes and I've heard nothing but grat things about their triggers.
Permalink Reply by John Adkins on December 12, 2009 at 3:23pm
CyberSyncs have 16 different frequencies to play with

Jacob Zimmer said:
So CS has more or less than 4 channels?

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