In my experience as a professional photographer and a Lensrentals tech, no other strobe brand has outperformed my expectations with regard to lighting performance, durability, and cost like Paul C. Buff. I personally own three Alienbees that are more than fifteen years old and still going strong. So when PCB announces a new light to their lineup, I listen up. After only one shoot, I can tell the LINK 800WS is definitely a work horse.

First, you have to get over the bulky and arguably dated-looking design of the light, the battery and charger, as well as the LINK HUB remote. The startup display on the remote takes me back to 16-bit game graphics. Remember the part about affordability? These details aside, the build of the LINK strobe itself is true Buff fashion, with a spectacularly durable metal body. Like other PCB strobes, the flash tube is set forward from the face, allowing 135 degrees of light without a modifier. The diffusion gel cover included is a well thought out silicon cap with magnetic attachment that stays put even with a modifier. Any modifier with a PCB or Balcar speed ring works, like the widely available Westcott Rapid Box. Score another point for accessibility.

Finally, when it comes to the performance, having a portable battery operated 800Ws light with HSS is like floating around on a high-powered cloud! I only got to work with this light for a weekend and already I’m spoiled by the amount of output. I truly expect this strobe will become another standard in the already illustrious and illuminating line of Buff products.