|
Forums >
Photography Talk >
The New Einstein Monolight Studio Strobe, Part III
So far I have discussed the technical and physical aspects of the new Einstein monolight from Paul C. Buff Companies which separate it from the Alien Bees/White Lightning monolights. These things include but are not limited to, the automatic circuit which allows you to plug the Einstein into any power source from 110v, 60hz to 240v, 50hz, the 250w modeling light, the protective dome which fits over the flash tube and modeling lamp and serves as a UV filter, and the digital controls which allow you to power the Einstein down accurately from 640ws to 2.5ws in discrete .1f steps. And in two critical areas, the technical aspects of the Einstein which separate it from any other monolight currently available (shorter t.1 times and absolutely flat color temperature as you reduce the power output from the strobe). Now I want to talk a little about the diagnostic screen which pops up as you go through the various lighting adjustments on the back of the Einstein. When you power up your Einstein, this is what the back of the strobe looks like:  From this you can see that I have the power set at 320ws (-1.0f), giving me a color temperature of 5600 K, and a t.1 time of 1/1351 of a second. My modeling light is set to 250.0 watts, the recycle alert is set to tone (you can also set it so the modeling light goes off and comes on as the flash recycles), the tracking feature of the modeling light is off, meaning the modeling light stays at 250 watts regardless of the power setting for flash tube, I'm in the Constant Color Temperature mode, not the "Action" mode (which shortens the t.1 times even more, but with the offset that the color temperature drifts up with decreasing power), and finally the light is set to channel 2, frequency 2 for my radio slave. On the left side of the screen there is even an analog bar graph that shows me flash power and modeling light output. The function button in the upper left corner allows you to scroll through these different functions to adjust the settings for each parameter. So far, so good! But, as you scroll though the menus, you finally get to this screen:  Originally I ignored this screen, but once I finally looked at it for a minute I thought, "this is interesting!" Most of it is gobbledy gook to me (interesting to the Paul Buff technicians, I'm sure), but on closer inspection that thing about temperatures seemed fascinating. If you leave this screen up, you will discover that it is dynamic. As you fire the light those temperatures do change. If for some reason you are in a situation where you are worried about the light overheating, this screen will give you a heads up. Of course there are thermal shut down circuits built in, and the light will shut itself down before any damage is done (and power back up automatically as the temperatures drop), but for some reason I found this interesting, and reassuring. A lot of thought has gone into this light. Also note that at the bottom of this screen you get a read out of exactly how many times the flash has been fired. When you get your light, you will note that this reading is not zero. They burn in every light and check it before it is finally packed up for shipping. Again, reassuring. By the way, this is nothing new for Paul Buff. Every Alien Bee, White Lightning, Zeus is put on a test rack immediately after assembly and tested before it is packed for shipping. Last year I took some time to visit Nashville and watched them assemble and test some Alien Bees, as well as taking a tour of the Alien Bees/White Lightning/Zeus building. If you get a chance, I recommend stopping in, they are the nicest people!  Now I want to talk about the Einstein as part of a system. The CyberCommander was originally developed as an advanced radio control system in conjunction with the Einstein. A special receiver which plugs directly into the top of the Einstein (the CSXCV Transceiver Module, $29!) is available. When you turn on your CyberCommander and open the memory function, the CyberCommander automatically finds each of your Einsteins and sets it to what ever channel you have set that light to. Once you have done that, you can remotely control every function on your Einstein with the CyberCommander! You can turn the Einstein on and off, you can change the power settings for both the flash and the modeling lamp, and you can set it to Constant Color Mode or switch to Action Mode. And you can do all of this from the CyberCommander for up to sixteen individual lights at the same time. Better yet, you can take your CyberCommander off your camera, wander out onto the studio floor, take a meter reading (the CyberCommander has a built in flash meter), and adjust each light individually from the studio floor. No more running around lowering light stands so you can get at the light controls, running back out onto the studio floor to check the meter, then repeating the same steps over and over until you have every light set the way you want it! And all of this with radio waves, no more pulling light stands over with your sync cord(s). This is a particular big deal with monolights, their controls are on the light itself and when you have one located on a boom way up in the air, ain't no fun my friends! There may be other systems out there that give you some control over your lights, but at this price I doubt there is anything even remotely like the CyberCommander and the Einstein for simplicity of operation. (FYI, the CyberCommander will also allow you control over any Alien Bees, White Lightning, or Zeus pack and head system made by Paul Buff Companies in the last twenty years, but the setup is a little more complicated.) If you already have a CyberSync transmitter, it will fire your Einstein, but you don't get the control features available with the CyberCommander. This concludes my report on the new Einstein monolight from Paul C. Buff Companies. I am happy to answer any other questions you might have, either privately (by phone or email), or here on the forum. Again, you can review the first two parts of this series on the Einstein at The New Einstein Monolight Studio Strobe (Part I) and The New Einstein Monolight Studio Strobe (Part II). I do want to write one more essay about light modifiers which ties into these posts, but it will not be specifically about the Einstein. I am a sponsored photographer for the Paul C. Buff Companies, and I feel it's important that you know that when reading these reports. Fish -- John Fisher 900 West Avenue, Suite 633 Miami Beach, Florida 33139 305 534-9322 http://www.johnfisher.com Apr 18 10 11:36 am Link Thanks for the reports John. I bought the Alien Bee ring light with the vagabond after you talked about it(used it yesterday). Now I may have to get one of these lights also. Apr 18 10 11:55 am Link John, thank you for a rather in depth as well as entertaining read for the Einstein. The Paul C. Buff Company has ALWAYS been reliable and good to me. The way the operate can serve as a model for the Ideal Of American Business. 4lbs isn't too bad at all considering my WL Ultra 1200 probably weighs in at about 6-8lbs easy. Price is incredible for sure. Now... one question I do have for you; and this for sure a design flaw on PCB... their new High-Output BD... is the tilt mechanism on the Einstein placed further back or better set than say the AB line? A friend of mine has a set of ABs and can only use the BD absolutely parallel, since there is NO PLAY on top of a stand with that rather large flat surface. Hopefully vastly more metal as well... I've had to replace all my stand mounts on my WL Ultras since they are all plastic have now cracked. I've noticed that the ABs have those issues (I don't own any, friends do though). Judging from the pictures on the WL website, it does look as if Einstein is vastly more robust and would offer better play. Apr 18 10 12:11 pm Link hi since its only 640 ws how does it compare to alien 800 ws or the 1600 ws. is it the same output of light as the 800 ws or about the same as the same setting and distance thanks gary Apr 18 10 12:14 pm Link GARY HINDS wrote: The B800 is only 320 Ws, the B1600 is 640 Ws. I think it is a sign of maturity that Paul Buff is starting to use true Ws rather than his own interpretation of "effective" Ws. Apr 18 10 12:19 pm Link descending chain wrote: so want you are saying it compares to the ab1600 light Apr 18 10 12:28 pm Link GARY HINDS wrote: Probably be "just about right" in comparison. Apr 18 10 01:14 pm Link Jeremy DuBrul wrote: You are welcome, it was my pleasure. I really do like this light! Jeremy DuBrul wrote: Actually, if it is a design flaw, it's one shared with most strobe lights. Any modifier that comes straight down from the head is bound to bump into the light stand at some point when you try to tilt it down (such as the Japanese Lantern in the PLM system). The solution we use is to mount the head on a short boom, then you can swing the head and modifier around a 360 degree arc. You can see an example of this in the picture of Daria Dvurechenskaya standing in front of the 86" Parabolic Umbrella (also from the PLM system) that I used in part two of this report. Apr 18 10 04:59 pm Link You know, there's a lot of bitching and moaning about the model numbers of AB lights, but no one says anything when other manufacturers do the same thing. Example: Photogenic 1250 a 500 w/s light. Apr 18 10 05:11 pm Link It goes both ways too... I have a few little "Elinchrom D-Lite 2" strobes, and imagine my disappointment when they weren't 2, but 200 watts! :-P Apr 18 10 05:22 pm Link Bill Sylvester wrote: Speedotron Force 10: 1000 joules Apr 18 10 05:34 pm Link Before I actually read the final part of your extensive and very informative review, I want to say thanks for the awesome review! I've enjoyed reading all three of them! The reason why i want to buy these lights is so that I have more power and more options for modifiers. I have a question for you. If you can answer it, it'd be greatly appreciated. Once my turn to order the Einsteins come up, would you recommend the 7" or the 8.5" reflector. I'd also be buying their accompanying grid sets. They will be used as a background light, separator light, or hair light. They will also be used with umbrellas. The reason why I am leaning towards the 7" reflector is because of their many choices of grids - 10, 20, 30, or 40. In addition, I have a more focused beam of light to be used on the background. On the other hand, with the 8.5" reflector, i am really stuck with only a 15 or a 30, but i will be save 20-30 dollars. I've never really played with grids and reflectors, so what do I know. Apr 18 10 09:54 pm Link Oh and in addition, which c-stands are you using and which sandbags would you recommend? I've decided to use c-stands now for their strength, durability and availability of a gobo arm. I can't find the "right" sandbags to use as some people recommend calumet photo's sandbags or sunbounce's sandbag. I'm thinking of ordering the matthews c-stands with turtle base + gobo arm. Thanks for your time. Apr 18 10 10:06 pm Link Bill Sylvester wrote: That's because Photogenic isn't saying their PL1250 is a 1250 effective watt-second monolight. Its model numbers following an internal naming convention. I use to know what it meant, but now I forget. If I remember it right, they revised the naming convention when they went from the old style to new Powerlights. Apr 18 10 10:23 pm Link Thank you Mr. Fisher for ruining my life.... I have a full set of Bowens/Calumet travelites that I've been perfectly happy with for almost 15 years and now I wanna scrap them and get a huge pile of these Einstiens and the Cyber commander. You Sir are a Bad, Bad Man and my wallet is already weeping at the prospect. I may be eating Top Ramen and Mac and Cheese for the next year..... I blame you. Apr 19 10 12:01 pm Link Excellent info, thanks for sharing. Apr 21 10 10:16 am Link am I taking crazy pills or does the alien bees produce an orange tint? I am looking at the spec reading 5600k, I balance around 5200k, I guess that accounts for the orange tint I see. I am all for less expensive lights that produce a good quality but this is a bit of annoyance. Do you thing this is just a white balance issue? In looking at many user groups in flickr, you can get a good idea how the light performs by final display quality. http://www.flickr.com/groups/alienbees/pool/ Apr 22 10 01:06 am Link Avalos Photography wrote: I don't think this is the cause of whatever you believe you are seeing; 5600K is a bluer light than 5200K, not more orange. Apr 22 10 01:14 am Link Avalos Photography wrote: To answer your question, yes, if you set your white balance incorrectly, you will get tinted colours. Apr 22 10 02:38 am Link You invited questions, so here's one: What are three problems, or areas for improvement, in this flash? Apr 22 10 02:38 am Link Davepit wrote: +1 Apr 22 10 04:22 am Link Yeah, I'm most excited about the shorter flash duration.. ok, and more power than the B800... ok, and better color accuracy as well! I've got 5 AB B800's... so I figure I'll buy two of these einstein's for my front lights that add the most light to the model, and leave the rest (hair, side, background ) as B800's to be cost affective. Normally the AB's have a really high resale value, I wonder if that will change with the introduction of this. Apr 22 10 04:25 am Link DC Farrell wrote: A kindred spirit. It's nice to know I won't be alone in my Mac and Cheese diet... Apr 22 10 04:26 am Link  Daria Dvurechenskaya photographed using the new Einstein and the PLM Parabolic Umbrella Davepit wrote: Okay, fair enough. One, I'd like to see an Einstein with more power. I don't know why, but there you go. The trade off is that the light would weigh more, and I'd only enjoy what ever advantage there is from 1250 to 640 watt seconds (or more accurately, one stop). Apr 22 10 06:53 pm Link Buff posted on the FM forum that he could build it to recycle in 1 sec. but the problem then would be putting multiple einsteins on one household breaker would most likely trip the breaker. Post is here (post #4): http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/888715/2 Apr 22 10 07:09 pm Link Hey John Which model C-stand and grip arm is that?? John Fisher wrote: Jeremy DuBrul wrote: You are welcome, it was my pleasure. I really do like this light! Apr 24 10 07:38 am Link  B FRAZIER PHOTOGRAPHY wrote: Hi Bernard, Apr 24 10 08:51 am Link Thanks John. One more question - how do the light modifiers attach to the body of the light? If I were to use a largish octagonal softbox in windy conditions, would I have problems with the attachment mechanism? Apr 24 10 08:55 am Link FJG Photography wrote: A good solution for that is to make the recharge time user selectable (rabbit/turtle) to match desired use and existing conditions. Apr 24 10 09:04 am Link Davepit wrote: It's actually quite simple to attach a softbox (assuming of course you have the appropriate speedring ($29.95) for Alien Bees, White Lightning Zeus or Einstein, they all take the same speedring). Apr 24 10 09:17 am Link John Fisher wrote: /facepalm Apr 24 10 09:31 am Link Marlon Perez wrote: First Marlon, I want to apologize for not answering your question sooner. I am preparing another agonizingly long and boring post on light modifiers (I know, I know, be still my beating heart!), but to get to your question: Apr 24 10 10:35 am Link Thank you for the excellent reviews John! That was all I needed to seal the deal for me. Now if I can just find a use for my WLX-1600s! - Wil May 10 10 03:52 pm Link John Fisher wrote: John, did you ever write this follow up on light modifiers? Been trying to locate it. Jul 26 10 07:56 am Link David Sutphin wrote: Sigh, I've been remiss on not posting my article on light modifiers. Like many of these reports, I start them, save them, and add to them periodically before they finally wind up on the internet. It is an important post (at least I think so), so I'll impose a personal deadline of Wednesday (ah ha, which Wednesday you ask?). Jul 26 10 09:43 am Link Thanks John. Really appreciated your in-depth on the Einsteins. Looking forward to this one. Jul 26 10 09:48 pm Link The Einstein seems really nice if you can actually get one, they told me about 2 months on the backorder but after 4 months I finally cancelled my order. This company obviously isn't able to handle the demand and with an update already needed, I wonder if they are qualified to put out a reliable product. I also ordered a PLM umbrella from them, "3 week backorder"... 4 months later I'm still waiting, they can't even get umbrellas out in a reasonable time frame. They might have some great products but prepare to wait.... and wait some more. Sep 21 10 12:28 pm Link Yep, I'm waiting for sometime in the first quarter to get one. They also are making fixes/replacing units for some of the earlier people since they discovered some problems, so that is slowing down the rollout. I also heard the price is increasing. Sep 21 10 12:44 pm Link Is it safe to use the modelling lamp when the Einstein is connected to the vegabondII. I know with the b800 you couldnt do it (well you could, but it would wreck the battery). If its not good how would I turn it off? Thanks for the help. Sep 10 11 04:57 pm Link Sidd Rishi wrote: It is "Safe" to use the modeling light with a Vagabond II, but it is not a good idea as it will discharge your battery very quickly. Sep 11 11 03:41 am Link |
