Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I have several Ab800s and love them, but i m hearing alot of advice about needing the Ab1600 for outdoor photography...Is this true? opinons and advice much appreciated, thanks, Larry

It really depends on what you are trying to do....

For instance overpowering daylight to really darken up the ambient needs a fair amount of power BUT depending on how fast your camera syncs, what modifier you are using and how large you subject is make a HUGE difference and will have more of an effect than going from an AB800 to an AB1600.

I use the WL x1600's and my digital camera syncs at 1/250th... even outside for fill, or with a small box to highlight a face use them set to 1/4 power (in this setting its the same as an AB400) with an umbrella and I am really trying to darken up the environment I use 1600 and when its real bright out wishing I could sync at 1/500th

Thanks so much for the answer...I m currently shooting with the canon 5dMkII, and really wanted to do some motorcycle shoots outdoors this spring and summer, with models ...I ve just heard so much about needing the abr1600 to make this work...I have several AB softboxes and even a Beauty dish , but was unsure if i needed more power. I was either going to pick up the Ab1600 or the foldable octabox for my Christmas present, LOL...I have 2 ab800 and one ab400 , along with the abr800....I dont think i ll be trying to overpower the sun with those shoots, but wanted to make sure i had enough power for fill....thanks again for any info....Larry

You might also try Long Throw reflector or PLM...these are designed to get uber-output from a standard or lower-power strobe. We shoot horse shows in a covered arena with serious backlighting, and prior to using the Long Throws were suffering from noise issues with the higher ISO we were required to use in order to get the shutter and f stop the action called for. You might try either of these to boost the output of your 800's. Good luck.

WOW..that sounds great....The Larger of the two PLMS are currently on backorder, but they have the 42 inch in stock, I think the silver lined would be the best for me, have you heard anything about the smaller ones?....I think it would be easier to manage outdoors, but i m not sure about that...

I m also looking at the high output Beauty dish, that looks pretty good also

B800 42" PLM 10ft 1/2 power @ ISO100 = F16 bring it closer and get more power! Your light modifier will go a long way in determining how much power you have at your disposal!

Thats perfect...THANKS..i m just going to purchase some of the modifiers then, I appreciate the info.....Larry

Silver PLM is the magic needed to overpower the sun will smallish flash units. I get f22 at 10', ISO100 from 320WS AB800. With a softbox at this distance you'll get f8 to f11.

Excellent....this is my next purchase...thank you....

Hey LAUP,
Question... what is the F-stop from a B800 at full power 10ft away with the long throw 11" reflector? Where can I find this info?