Includes power supply. The easiest to use, most versatile, most economic pro ringflash available! Just $50 per day
(all photos and information from the AlienBees site)
Tech specs
Download manual
Flashpower
The AlienBees Ringflash is a powerful, self-contained studio flash unit, producing 320 True Wattseconds of power and 14,000 Lumenseconds of output. The power is independently adjustable over a stepless 5 f-stop range from Full down to 1/32nd of the total power, in whole f-stop increments, and everywhere in between.
The Back Control Panel
The Back Panel of the ringflash unit offers you clear control of the unit's features, conveniently labeled and collectively located, for quick manipulation. With a slide fader for flashpower control, you can adjust the output steplessly over the 5 f-stop power range. The modeling lamp can be turned on or off with the model "On" button, it may be used as a recycle indicator with the "Cycle" button, and it can be set to track the changes made in flashpower with the "Track" button. With a red dump light and a green ready light, you can clearly see the unit's recycle and ready status at any point during your shoot while the red test button allows test flashing. The back panel additionally holds the sync jack and remote jack, as well as the slave cell.
Power Requirements
As the ABR800 requires AC power, each unit comes with our heavy-duty 15-foot power cord, having a three-wire grounded plug to connect to a standard 120 Vac, 50-60 Hz power outlet. The cord connects to the recessed power socket on the back panel of the unit with a standard IEC connector. The down-angle power cord head and recessed socket eliminate interference with the camera body.
The Sync Cord
A 12-inch sync cord arrives with each ABR800 unit, so that you may connect the ringflash to your camera. This cord has a 1/8-inch stereo plug on one end to connect on the back panel of your ringflash, with a PC-connection on the other end to connect to your camera. With the sync cord, your ringflash will only take its cue to fire from you when your camera shutter is pressed.
Mounting Hardware
The ABR800 Ringflash arrives with the universal camera mounting bracket, designed to accommodate most popular pro and semi-cameras with its wide range of adjustment capabilities. The bracket attaches to the ringflash mounting post, offering a convenient, padded camera platform where your camera may be attached with the provided platform mounting screw. The all-in-one bracket offers a tripod socket for mounting the bracket on your standard tripod as well as the swivel light stand mount The lightweight design of the ringflash makes ideal for handheld operation as well, where the extended length of the mounting post may be used as a handle or the bracket itself may be held, fitting comfortably in the palm of your hand. Adjustments are provided to move the camera up and down, in and out and side to side, allowing centering of the ringflash and lens with just about any camera. The bracket can be adjusted vertically to accommodate cameras with a 1-inch to 4.75-inch distance from the bottom of the camera (tripod mount surface) to the center of the lens. The platform can additionally be removed from the bracket, leaving the remaining bracket in position, allowing you to keep your camera attached to review images, change film or use the camera away from the ringflash in non-aim through mode.
The Umbrella Adaptor
Each unit arrives with our accessory umbrella adaptor, fitting inside the ringflash center chamber and locked into position using the same twist-and-lock method that is used to attach the ringflash diffuser. The adaptor allows umbrellas to be used with the ringflash unit when using it as a conventional flash in non-aim-through mode. An umbrella pole slides through the adaptor and is tightened into place with the adjustment knob.
The Moon Unit / $10 per day
ISO100 Exposure (at 10'):
f16 with the ABR800 and standard reflector
f8 to f11 with the ABR800 and Moon Unit
The Moon Unit is a unique softbox-like accessory that attaches to the ringflash unit with its own quick-release rotating speedring. Unlike conventional softboxes, the camera lens can "see" through the center of the Moon Unit, thereby achieving a unique large-source light on the camera axis. Using the ringflash with the Moon Unit produces subtle, controlled, almost indiscernible shadows and large appealing catchlights at modest camera-to-subject distances. Its minuscule depth and weight allow hand-holding right along with your camera, or you can use it as a conventional off-camera compact softbox.
The Moon Unit is extremely lightweight, compact and easy to assemble. The Moon Unit consists of a reversible gold / silver reflector surface in an octagonal shape, a removable front nylon diffuser with center hole, a removable black fabric mask to convert the octagonal shape to a perfect circle, a rotating speedring, assembly rods and a special reflector that properly bounces the flash energy into the Moon Unit instead of forward. If all the above elements are used, the result is a round, soft 30-inch aim-through light source - thus the name "Moon Unit." Remove the black mask and it becomes an aim-through 31-inch octabox. If the diffuser is removed, it becomes a silver or gold umbrella-like source for increased specularity. Finally, removing the center reflector yields an intense center light source surrounded by a dimmer 30-inch round or 31-inch octagonal halo of light, either diffused by the front fabric or bounced directly from the gold or silver umbrella-type surface. Each configuration yields a different catchlight structure as well as different styles of light formation on the subject.
20 degree honeycomb grid / $10 per day
The standard 10-inch ring reflector is designed to hold the 20º ringflash honeycomb grid for "Hollywood Style" lighting and for other low-key effects. The doughnut-shaped honeycomb grid will tighten the total beam spread of the reflector from 80º down to a more controllable 20º.
The standard ring reflector has recessed outer lip for the grid to snap into, having a banded center hole so that it may be used in the standard aim-through ringflash mode. When using the grid, the diffuser may be left in place or removed depending on your desire for diffused or non-diffused output.
Filter Set / $5 per day
We offer a set of six center-cut circular gels / filters, specially designed for use with the ABR800 and ZRM1 ringflash units. The set includes four warming filters and two diffusion filters. The Warming Filters will add a light brown, almost sepia tint to your image, reminiscent of a hazy, late afternoon in the summer. They will adjust your light to a soft golden glow that is excellent for outdoor shots, afternoon outdoor wedding shots, and even in-studio portraits as this is an excellent choice for creating gorgeous skin tones. The Diffusion Filters will serve to soften your image, creating a slight foggy blur or haze around the light source.
The filters require the front cover / diffuser piece for use (this front cover/ diffuser is supplied with each ABR800 ringflash unit/ZRM1 flash head). The cover / diffuser has a raised center retaining lip positioned along the inside ring to hold the ringflash filters in place.
The special gel / filter set includes:
3/4 CTO Warming Filter (converts temperature to approx. 3200ºK; 58% transmission)
1/2 CTO Warming Filter (converts temperature to approx. 3800ºK; 73% transmission)
1/4 CTO Warming Filter (converts temperature to approx. 4500ºK; 81% transmission)
1/8 CTO Warming Filter (converts temperature to approx. 4900ºK; 92% transmission)
Tough Frost (a medium diffuser that spreads the beam, yet maintains a center)
Light Tough Rolux (similar characteristics to Tough, but less dense)
