Interfit’s new Honey Badger strobe looks an awful lot like AlienBee’s DigiBee
Aug 3, 2017
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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Now, we’re not suggesting Interfit just ripped off the design of Alien Bees’ Digibee lights. But you have to admit, the resemblance is just uncanny. Not to mention the fact that the specs are also pretty close. As is the name. In fact, the only real difference appears to be the Interfit “Honey Badger” has a Bowens mount on the front.
The Alien Bees lights have such a distinct design that it’s hard to imagine this is a coincidence. And if the appearance didn’t convince you, the specs and price are bound to.
Let’s look at the two side-by-side for a better comparison at a glance.
| Interfit Honey Badger
|
AlienBees DigiBee 800
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Power | 320Ws | 320Ws |
| Range | 7 stops | 7 stops |
| Increments | 1/10 stop | 1/10 stop |
| Flash duration | 1/900 (t.1) | 1/975 (t.1) |
| Recycle Time | 1 second | 1 second |
| Modelling Light | 60W Daylight LED | 75W Daylight LED |
| Flash Sync | 1/250 | 1/250 |
| Modifier Mount | Bowens S-Fit | AlienBees |
| Weight | 3lbs | 2.9lbs |
| Price | ~$300 | $309 |
One can’t help but notice the similarity in name too. Bees… Honey?
There is one other difference, though, besides the modifier mount. The DigiBee lights are compatible with PCB’s CyberSync triggers, which is a separate purchase. The Honey Badger features a built in receiver that can be triggered with the Interfit S1 TTL and manual remote triggers. This offers remote control of up to 8 groups with 15 channels. The Honey Badger also comes with a 24″ double diffused popup softbox.
So, assuming the quality and reliability are similar, the Interfit light may be the better deal if you’re building up a new flash system from scratch.
A decade ago, I probably could’ve understood a move like this. Confuse new users with a flash that looks similar and has similar specs. Today, though? A flash that only syncs up to 1/250th? With the likes of Godox offering some major competition to the established brands with a way bigger feature set, I can’t see these being all that popular.
I’d be going for an AD200 or AD360II over either of these any day.
If you are interested in learning more about the Honey Badger, head on over to the Interfit website.
But if you’re going to criticise, always remember, Honey badger don’t care.
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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15 responses to “Interfit’s new Honey Badger strobe looks an awful lot like AlienBee’s DigiBee”
Well, honey badgers don’t give a shit, so….
Last sentence of the article. :)
For that extra $9 you get some amazing customer service. Of course the real tell is if you pop the cover off of both.
Depending on if the Bee has a patent, Bluff could block the import of the Interfit. Of course if the board artwork is the same, they could also claim Copyright infringement. With the right lawyer Bluff could require all Honey Badgers to be recalled and destroyed.
It could be a rebrand of Paul c. Buff’s product too.
Both are not shipped to Germany. So both are crap. ?
Buff lights are absolutely the best value in strobes on earth!
The Cyber Commander is the best remote control system for strobes on earth.
The Buff reflectors are the best on earth. As with everything engineered and made in America, Buff is the best, when money and service are factored in the equation.
Lawsuit in 3..2..1
If you look carefully, both are made in China. Rebranded.
Also, that interfit Softbox is identical to the Lastolite EzyBox
article written as an excuse to be able to reference that video? :-)
Only it would be nice to drop the price a few $100 that would be fun.
…obviously none of you understand how manufacturing is done – these ARE made by Buff and slightly repackaged for the Interfit label. Many products are made on the same production line and only labeled or packaged differently for various brands.
Could it be rebranding? (like Godox and Jinbei gear with Adorama’s Flashpoint brand)
If it is, it would be a smart move to bring Paul c. Buff to Europe or to extend the market in the US (interfit’s products are sold in stores like B&H)
Having at least one studio flash is nice just for the modeling light, I have 2 Godox AD360 and a couple of monolights too :)
Let us be even more super dramatic and paranoid please
The AD200 is a much better investment. For the same price exactly you get built in battery, radio, TTL and HSS. Yes, it is slightly less powerful but still a better unit to work with.