Review: Alien Bees B400 Strobe

Want more flash for your cash? Who doesn’t? For monolights, lower cost usually means fewer features (i.e., no stepless output) and/or compromised performance (inaccurate color temps). Happily, we found neither with the B400 from Alien Bees.

Extremely compact (9x7.5x5.5 inches) and lightweight (2.5 pounds), the B400 strobe ($225) is housed in a rugged plastic housing. Store the B400 in its well-padded case, and it should last for years.

Controls are easy to use. You adjust output continuously from full to 1/32 power with a simple slider. At full power, recycle times are under a second; at 1/32 power, almost instantaneous. Color temps are fairly consistent, varying from 6100K at full to 5700K at 1/32 power. Other pluses: a user interchangeable flash tube and commonly available modeling light (to 150 watts). You can set it to full or proportional output, or turn it off. A fourth setting (“Cycle”) turns the modeling light into a ready light. Dark during power up, the bulb lights up when the charge is complete. (No looking up to see if the flash is ready.) Prefer a beep? Sorry, these bees are silent. Other bugaboos? In our tests, the recessed slave trigger was less sensitive than others we’ve tested.

For the money, the B400 is a deal, especially when you purchase a DigiBee kit. For $599 (direct), you get two B400s, two 10 foot lightstands (with plastic locking knobs), a black/white and silver/white umbrella, those cushy cylindrical carrying cases, plus a set of versatile controls, standard modeling lights, and plenty of output. Best? A full line of accessories (softboxes, snoots, etc.) mount quickly, thanks to a cool spring-loaded clip system.

For info: www.alienbees.com; 877-714-3381.

What’s Hot
Continuous output from full to 1/32 power.
Extremely fast recycle times.
Lightweight, easy toting, and simple to use.

What’s Not
No ready beep.
Somewhat insensitive built-in slave.
Plastic locks on lightstands may strip easily.