"Sean Ras" wrote in message ...
I am looking to purchase my first studio flash and I'm considering a White
Lightning X800 or an AlienBees B800. Judging by specs alone, they are both
very similar. Does anyone have experience with one or both units to suggest
I go one way or another?

I have a very small area in my home that I intend to use (about 12'L 12'W
10'H). I live in Hawaii so I will also do a lot of shooting outdoors so I
need something relatively portable also. Indoors, I'll do mostly portraiture
and black-n-white figure poses. Outdoors, I'll do a lot of bikini beach
shots as well as darker mountain and rainforest-type areas. In an earlier
post, I asked if I should purchase a Canon 550EX and 420EX instead of studio
flashes but most people advised against that. My camera is a Canon EOS 10D
if that makes a difference. Thanks in advance for the help and advice.

I have both an Ultra Zap 800 and an AlienBee B400. I'm very happy
with both. Some of the areas that cost cutting was used on the AB is
evident, but I'm still satisfied with the AB's quality. I plan to
purchase another AlienBee in the future -- choosing that over the
White Lightning mainly because of price.

I want to echo Lisa's thought on a flash meter. A Minolta Autometer
is "only" about $220.