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The New Einstein Monolight Studio Strobe (Part II)
 Okay, why the picture of the business end of an old Speedotron 2401A? Read on! I've covered some of the technical data concerning the new Einstein light in Part I of this report, the most unusual of which is it's flat color temperature and shortening t.1 times as you reduce power. One of the bugaboos of monolights has been the problem of fluctuating color temperature and increasing flash duration (rated as t.5 and t.1 times, the time it takes a single flash to recede to half power or 1/10 power). This has to do with the way power to the lamp is reduced as you dial it back from say 600ws to 300 or 150ws. The new Einstein takes advantage of a technology (IGBT) which has been around for a while (and used in many speedlights), but until recently broke down when you tried to use it in high power applications such as those used in monolights. I mentioned in the first part of this article that pack and head systems got around the problem of color temperature and t.1 times by reducing power using switchable capacitor banks. My old Speedotron Blackline 2401A had three sets of output plugs which were rated at 1200ws, 800ws, and 400ws. You could get 2400ws by throwing two switches which connected all three sets of plugs (and three separate capacitor banks), giving you a total of 2400ws either to one head, or divided out evenly over as many as 6 heads (400ws per head). If you wanted say an effective (that silly word again) 150ws, you had to plug two heads into the 400ws outlets, point one into outer space, and move the remaining head further away from the subject you were lighting (sort of space alien aerobic power control!). Strange as all this seems, it was the way most professionals handled studio lighting (virtually all of us used Speedo Blacklines, often the only packs available to rent). Well, as you can imagine this was a situation ripe for competition. And new packs started to appear from a number of manufacturers with all kinds of variable power adjustment schemes. Mostly we saw more switches appear on the tops of the packs, and dials with discrete clicks which allowed for far more individual control to reduce power. But all of these involved more complicated switching capacitor banks, and all of this is expensive (there is a reason why Broncolor and Profoto require your first born as a down payment on their top of the line packs). Me? I moved the light heads back and forth in the studio, which is fine when you are in a big studio and you are shooting large subjects such as people. Lighting product, particularly small products where you want to control light for purposes of shading is something else all together. Profoto quickly became the go to pack in many studios (sorry son, I know your only eight, but you will enjoy growing up in Sweden!) Anyway, this way of adjusting power, particularly 1, 2 or 3 stops gave you uniform color temperatures and short t.1 times. With monolights this doesn't work so well. Particularly if you want to have a high power monolight, and then want to have the ability to dial it back significantly (say a 700ws monolight where you will frequently want to shoot using 300 or 150ws). Monolights have traditionally used voltage reduction circuits to reduce power, and that causes color temperature problems and longer flash durations (something I will get more into in a moment). The solution would be to own a bunch of monolights of various maximum power outputs, then use the ones you needed for a particular lighting solution. Yeah right. Like I'm going to buy nine lights so I have three available for any one lighting set up. How often have you seen someone on a forum like this say "buy the Alien Bees 1600, if you need less power you can always dial it back!" Seems reasonable, but now you have the problem of color temperatures going all over the place and a significant increase in t.1 times. Also, there was just so much you could do to dial the power back, four or five stops was about the limit for a monolight. Today color temperature is really not that big of a deal as long as it stays consistent for a given power setting. With most digital SLRs I can set my camera for what ever color temperature I need (it's in the manual, the little paper book that was in the box that you threw away as soon as you got that new camera in your grubby little hands!). But t.1 times, guess again. Where flash duration comes into play is when you are taking a picture using studio strobes and the subject moves. Longer flash durations will allow for motion blur, and more often than you think this has been a problem for monolights (and why most professional studios use pack and head systems exclusively). I checked, and whether it was Profoto, Broncolor, or Elinchrome monolights all of them showed increasing t.1 times as power levels went down. Most don't even publish t.1 times, preferring to use t.5 because while they increase, the t.5 times are short enough to suggest they are not a problem (they are!!). Okay, I built you the watch, now I'm going to tell you the time! The new Einstein monolight has a flat color temperature line (5600K +/-50) from 640ws to 2.5ws (a nine (9) stop range in 1/10th f stop increments!) And the t.1 flash duration goes down (not up!) starting at 1/600th of a second to less than 1/8000th of a second in Constant Color Mode (t.1 immediately jumps to less than 1/1300 of a second at -1.0f or 320ws). No other monolight at any price can match this performance. That's none, zero, nada. One area where the Einstein has a performance lag over some of the other professional monolights out there, recycle time at full power is 1.7 seconds. There are lights that recycle to full power in slightly less than one second, so you might have to wait an additional point eight (.8) seconds between shots. I was shooting at 320ws (-1.0f) and my recycle time was less than a second, during the walking shots (in fact for the entire session) I did not miss one shot due to recycle time. So, what does this mean in practical terms? I went to OMP Studios (yes, that OMP) in Fort Lauderdale and did some tests shooting a real model in a real editorial situation. The shooting floor is big (in the order of 50' X 60' with 20' ceilings) and has a 30' one wall white cyc at one end where I did my shooting. I used a very simple setup, one light set to 320ws (gee, I wonder which one? Oh yeah, the Einstein 640!) with the Alien Bees big Parabolic Umbrella (PLM) with a diffuser fabric on the front of it. The light was placed to my left about 15 to 20 feet from the model and aimed across the set. I was shooting at ISO 100 at f 9 with an EOS 5D Mark II using an EF 70-200 f2.8L zoom lens. I did shoot some beauty (who cares), but most of the shots I had the model walking, jumping, hopping, running and jumping, etc. (all of this in 4" heels, I torture models!)  Here are several 100% crops which show how little blur there is. Note you can count the lower eyelashes, and the heel of the shoe is rock solid.)    This is why those t.1 times are so important. At half power (-1.0f or in this case 320ws) where other monolights would have an increased flash duration, the Einstein had a t.1 of 1/1341 of a second, and that froze the motion. While it may not be clear from my crop, Daria is at least a foot and a half in the air with her right foot, and is kicking her left foot back. I would expect these results using my Speedotron pack and head, or using an OMP Profoto pack and head (these guys have at least two hundred thousand dollars tied up in Profoto equipment, madness!), but never from a monolight! Oh, and props to the Canon autofocus system in the 5D II, I had it set on full servo selecting all the focus points. Daria was running at an angle towards me, then jumping center stage. Here's just a shot of Daria in front of the PLM with the fabric cover, Daria is 5'9 and wearing 4" heels.  Daria Dvurechenskaya, Agency represented in Miami, looking for representation in NYC. Bottom line, I like this light, I like it a lot. I think it is a big deal (others will follow I'm sure). But you have to give Paul Buff his props. He is going all in with this light, and he certainly didn't have to. This is a company that already provides more than half of all the studio type strobes bought in America, and ramping up to make the Einstein is no small task. Alien Bees/White Lightning is, as I have said, a fairly small company as manufacturing companies go, but they are in the process of finishing a new building just to house the Einstein's. The investment in personnel and physical plant is no small adventure particularly given the economic times we live in. As many know, this project started several years ago and is now finally coming to fruition, the baby comes when the baby comes as my mother would say. If it all works as it should, this will be just another American success story. But like all the others, it comes with no small measure of risk. I've been thinking a lot about Henry Ford and Paul Buff recently. As I mentioned in my previous post, my maternal grandmother was for a brief time one of Henry's personal secretaries. So even though Mr. Ford died the year after I was born, there are a few steps less than six degrees of Kevin Bacon separating us. Henry started the Ford Motor Company when he was 40 years old, and built the Model T for almost twenty years virtually unchanged. That car (which at one point sold for less than $300) put America on wheels, he didn't invent the car, but he made cars available to virtually every one in this country at a time when only rich people had an automobile. He didn't make the best car, but he made a solid, reliable car anyone could afford. (Sound familiar?) In 1928 Ford (who by this time was getting his brains beat out by General Motors, it turned out not everyone wanted a black car!) virtually shut down the Ford assembly lines for six months. When he introduced his new car, people were so fascinated they say lines around the Ford dealerships ran for miles! The 1928 Ford Model A was a breakthrough, and for a long time held the record for sales of a new model. Not finished, in 1932 Ford introduced the first production en bloc casting V8 (a one piece casting for those non-metallurgists), a car so revolutionary in performance that every gangster had to have one (Bonny and Clyde and John Dillinger out ran the cops driving Ford V8's!) Again, sound familiar? Twice, Henry (who owned the most successful manufacturing company of it's time) bet the house, and won! There are a lot of things about Henry and Paul which are not the same, Ford (who not only hired black workers, but paid them the same as white workers) was such an anti Semite that he made Adolf Eichmann look like a Zionist. Paul is actually pretty laid back unless you say something unkind about Alien Bees! What they have in common is a drive to make things better, even after they have already achieved a level of success which would have satisfied most of us. From the Wright brothers to Bill Gates, this country, our shared culture, seems to produce amazing people with vision and drive that is hard to imagine, and that is something to think about. Enough, finally! I will finish my review of the Einstein with Part III, which covers the digital screen on the back including diagnostics, using the CyberCommander (originally developed for the Einstein) and more about the various modifiers that are available for this studio light. Clearly I like the Einstein, and I have no doubt this light will become an important piece of kit for any serious photographer. For more information on the Einstein, you can read part I of this report at The New Einstein Monolight Studio Strobe (Part I). And you can click here for the final report on The New Einstein Monolight Studio Strobe (Part III). Fish Sponsored Photographer for Paul C. Buff Companies Alien Bees, White Lightning, Zeus, Einstein -- John Fisher 900 West Avenue, Suite 633 Miami Beach, Florida 33139 305 534-9322 http://www.johnfisher.com Apr 15 10 07:06 pm Link John Fisher wrote: Which Speedo/Profoto setups do you mean? Apr 16 10 09:28 am Link SKITA Studios wrote: Oh my God, someone actually read my latest Magnum Opus? Be still my beating heart! You, sir, have way too much time on your hands! Apr 16 10 02:16 pm Link Thanks for the thread with a wealth of information! Apr 17 10 04:52 am Link The best thing I like so far about them is for once there will be a reasonably priced high speed flash for Europe. Up until now Broncolor and Profoto have their super machines but in the way of little monoblocs there have been nothing stellar. I'd love to give these a try in a studio situation compared to Broncolor Grafit or better Scoro. Considering the price is less than just the flash tube for a G head, it sounds like a great deal. Oh forgot, those Speedos are ugly beasts I had forgotten about since leaving my studio 20 years ago. No wonder why people wanted something digital> Apr 17 10 05:06 am Link Jerry Nemeth wrote: Me too - thank you for the detailed info! Apr 17 10 05:32 am Link Thanks for your review John! I've had my eye on these, and will be getting some at some point. (Got White-Lightnings now.) Apr 17 10 08:18 pm Link John Fisher wrote: How about "Hensel speed max" monolight? (Upto 31 flash per sec and upto 1/60000 flash duration) I think much more than a match. But of course price wont be at all in the same category. Apr 19 10 04:48 am Link ansega wrote: How about it? Apparently the product doesn't exist. No mention of a monolight with that name or those specs on the Hensel site or at B&H. I did see a picture of a light claiming to be Hensel by doing a image search on Google, but no link to such a light on the Hensel site. None of the current line of Hensel Monolights match the t.1 times nor claim the color consistancy of the Einstein. Apr 19 10 05:37 am Link Does Paul Buff ever have a booth at any of the conventions? It would be beneficial to actually see some of the lights before purchasing them? Apr 19 10 07:26 am Link Thanks for your outstanding review on an outstanding light!!! :edit: you know I gonna come by for a hands on review... lunch on me (stewed fish)!  Apr 19 10 07:33 am Link John Fisher wrote: ansega wrote: How about it? Apparently the product doesn't exist. No mention of a monolight with that name or those specs on the Hensel site or at B&H. I did see a picture of a light claiming to be Hensel by doing a image search on Google, but no link to such a light on the Hensel site. None of the current line of Hensel Monolights match the t.1 times nor claim the color consistancy of the Einstein. The Speed Max, with a specified shortest flash duration of 1/57,470 sec, wasn't too hard to find on the Hensel site you linked. It is the very first item on the News->Products page. It seems to be a recent announcement, the to the product link doesn't work. Apr 19 10 09:04 am Link descending chain wrote: As you pointed out, the light doesn't actually exist right now (the link is broken). No information is given, and they are pulling a little bit of a parlor trick in the video(s), more on that in a minute. Apr 19 10 11:18 am Link John Fisher wrote: Are you really going there? In an Einstein discussion? John Fisher wrote: In the first video, the power is clearly seen as 5.0, where the power settings are in "X.X". In the picture on the News->Products page, the power displayed is 4.3, so unless they are using some new concept of power being displayed as inverses, the one used in the video is not minimum power. The second video has the power set to 7.0. I think you should wait a bit for real specs before you start accusing Hensel of using "parlor tricks". Apr 19 10 11:50 am Link You are missing the Ford connection. A-Ford-Able. Broncolor is wonderful stuff, but out of the price range of many photographers shooting today. Sep 23 10 08:14 am Link descending chain wrote: http://www.hensel.eu/en/products/compac … vices.html Sep 23 10 11:49 am Link Photography by BE wrote: Or, buy and return (for any reason) within 90 days for full refund. Sep 23 10 12:27 pm Link Fish: We might also tell the folks that Paul is in 80's. I only wish that I had half his energy! Sadly, Paul recently was banned from FM where he was a frequent contributor. His knowledge will be missed there. Hey, I wonder if he'd be interested in contributing here? Jeff Sep 23 10 12:43 pm Link Photography by BE wrote: My guess would be no since they are a small (mom and pop type) operation based in Nashville, Tennessee. Sep 23 10 12:47 pm Link killer pinups wrote: Doesn't matter, you can just buy it and return it. They have a great return policy for trying an item out. Sep 23 10 12:51 pm Link Shizam1 wrote: It does matter to me, I bought my Calumet and Photogenic lights based on durability, history, manufactured and tested specifications not a trend, fan club or cult following. Sep 23 10 01:25 pm Link killer pinups wrote: None of that has any relevance to the question asked. Sep 23 10 01:37 pm Link exartica wrote: Please follow the conversation - Photography by BE wrote: My reply- killer pinups wrote: New shooter - killer pinups wrote: Shizam1 wrote: My reply - Shizam1 wrote: killer pinups wrote: The end Sep 23 10 02:35 pm Link exartica wrote: killer pinups wrote: I did. The relevant parts are: Photography by BE wrote: killer pinups wrote: Shizam1 wrote: killer pinups wrote: Please explain how your last statement has any relevance to the question of whether PCB displays his wares at trade shows or conventions? Sep 23 10 05:29 pm Link killer pinups wrote: Funny, PCB lights have all that too. So I guess your point is that you don't like them and are just taking swipes. Sep 23 10 06:08 pm Link John, your commentary is always top notch. Thanks! Sep 24 10 03:21 am Link Thanks for the info, John. I'm really really really interested in short flash duration times. This has become much more of a consideration in trying to take advantage of the higher flash sync of the Phase DF and P65+ MFDB. There probably is a reason why Phase opted for pairing its new V grip Air with Profoto. It seems there there are not many options, particularly when trying to stay wireless. Profoto and Hensel are at the top of the list (both wireless via Profoto Air). Both obviously much higher in price than anything Buff offers. But take that as we may.... I just need one or two lights on location that can handle up to 1/1600 flash sync wirelessly. I'm skeptical of the monolight solution as you've noted, and I still am skeptical in the same regard of the Einstein. Buff's Cybersync claims a 1/2500 max sync for wireless triggering. With a Phase DF, P65+, and Schneider 80mm leaf shutter, it is probably closer to a 1/600 to 1/700 max sync. Not bad for the price of admission (faster than PW) but far from its claimed 1/2500 max sync. Very far. So in that context, I remain very skeptical of the Einstein. I'm sure it is a good light for the money, and I may even pick one up, but my wallet has this sinking feeling that for sure-fire short flash duration for fast flash sync, Profoto and Hensel remain on the shopping list.... Sep 24 10 05:53 am Link TheScarletLetterSeries wrote: As someone mentions on this thread, Broncolor does have a pack and head system (the Scoro) which has flash duration times similar to those available with the Einstein. Of course he fails to mention is it's a pack and head system available only by special order, and the pack alone costs between $8,000 and $11,000. But at least the last time I checked, if you buy the $11,000 pack, you get a free head! (Wooo Wooo, be still my beating heart!) Sep 24 10 10:05 am Link Again John, thanks much for your efforts disclosing details on the Einsteins. I'm sure like many of Paul Buff's products they offer much bang-for-the-buck. But for what I need (and am looking for) for ---higher speed flash sync (wireless a big plus), it seems I will be relegated to packs over a monolight, as flash duration seems to be critical to obtain flash sync up to 1/1600 with the newer Schneider leaf shutter lenses. Cyber syncs don't cut it (way below advertised max sync), and I don't think the relatively fast advertised flash duration (but not fast enough) of the Einstein will cut it either. As far as I can tell, for a small kit, I'm left with hard syncing with Elinchrome Ranger and faster head, or a small pack from Hensel or Profoto both with the Air wireless system. Broncolor is not in the equation as I still need to send kids to college.... ; ) ken p.s. Ain't nothin' wrong with a mom-n-pop business. Sometimes that's where the best ingeniuity and quality is... Alpa doesn't strike me as a relatively large camera company either... ; ) Sep 26 10 08:06 am Link John, I noticed your tag line indicating you are "sponsored by" Paul Buff companies. When I'm reading reviews and discussion of one brand's virtues vs. another's, I always like to know who I'm talking to, and what their stake in the deal is. So could you disclose the precise nature of your relationship with Paul Buff companies? Are you paid to write for them, to review their products, or I guess, paid by them for anything at all? Do you receive gifts, discounts, or free products to keep in exchange for writing about the company or its products? Or are you loaned equipment which you return? If so, how long do you keep it? These are personal questions, I know -- but it's important to understand the "provenance" of reviews when judging their usefulness and objectivity. In addition, I believe this sort of disclosure is now required by the FTC when writing the kinds of material you have posted here. So if you don't mind, could you fill us in on the nature of your relationship (or lack thereof if that is the case) with Paul Buff Inc.? Thanks, Paul Sep 26 10 08:19 am Link bang bang photo wrote: He did. I guess it was in part one. He gets no money, just equipment. Sep 26 10 08:30 am Link Before I get a storm of people telling me to MYOB -- I am in no way "going after John" here. There is nothing wrong with being a paid advocate for a product o company (if that is what John is -- I don't know yet). For example, I really respect the work that Chase Jarvis does for Nikon. But in the case of Chase, he's been very candid about the fact that Nikon has paid him to do the stuff he does on their behalf. I'm just looking for that same level of candor here. . . . Best, Paul bang bang photo wrote: Sep 26 10 08:34 am Link Makes me want an einstein!~ Sep 26 10 09:06 am Link Yes, john is sponsored by PCB. It says it in his signature block. Testing done by someone with a vested interest in a product should always make one wary of a biased or loaded review -- I'm NOT accusing John of this, but in this age it's all to easy to not evaluate the source of information. The best info comes from independent labs that use ISO-levels of certification to ensure consistent testing product-to-product. Anyone know of such a beast? Sep 26 10 02:57 pm Link  Model: Alexa, Indianapolis, Indiana (now with a major fashion agency in South Beach) bang bang photo wrote: Yeah, I do mention all the time what my relationship with Paul C. Buff companies is, but I don't mind going over it again. I am a professional fashion photographer. This is my only job and it is what pays my bills and has for 27 years now. I went to a PMA show in Orlando eight or nine years ago just for giggles, and wound up spending a few very productive hours with Speedotron (for 27 years I have used Speedotron Blackline pack and head systems as my personal studio lights). However, while I was at that show I visited the booth of a brand new mono light company called Alien Bees. Seemed like an interesting and inexpensive light that might be useful on locations where lugging pack and head systems was hardly productive. Sep 27 10 04:53 pm Link |
