Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Well if someone does a survey put me in the column of those who would like a 1000-1200Ws Einstein unit.

In the info on the Einstein there's a section that says since the Einstein can be dialed down so far there are no plans to introduce a lower powered model.

Does this mean Einstein will be a single product line of strobes?

It will of course remain in the hands of Laup whether or not we see a higher power and higher priced Einstein unit. Frankly none of us here know what the number of Einstein orders PCB already has booked. Could be they have enough orders to keep the techs busy for a year without adding a thing. And as Laup said earlier trading dollars for dollars doesn't make much business sense (unless you're a Wall St banker) in the long run. But, it could be that lessons learned from designing and building Einstein, new technology or results from a user survey showing overwhelming support will tilt the scales of production practicality towards a higher power Einstein unit. Call it the Hawkins.

Till we do see a higher powered one I'll hang onto my Dynalite 4040 heads and take a look at the Zeus packs.

He actually posted some time ago that the pre-orders were at 1600, but that was a while ago, probably higher now.

Dear Paul

With great interest I have anonymously perused the insight on your forums for a few months now, as a reader. But this thread has compelled me to register to join the others in casting my voice in favor of the higher power (1280/1300 watt sec) Einstein.

I have some old-school strobes (not your brand) which I've been meaning to upgrade, and like somebody has said, if you had that higher power Einstein version in the works it would make me more comfortable to invest in the mid-power 640WS Einstein combined with your elaborate digital triggering now, knowing that I'll be able to add a future key light that could deliver a stop extra output and enable me to tackle large group portraits at a narrower aperture. My style is really high key and crisp and I could really use 1300 watt sec. And if it could recycle even faster than the present 640WS Einstein at the same output level, it would be welcome too.

Sincerely
Michelle

Just to add to the discourse:
I personally have no interested in a 1300 watt/second strobe at the moment :)

I'm with HappyCamp-er

BTW....isn't this a "Technical Forum"....not a market requirememnts soapbox?

John

I might be interested in a "FrankenStein," as I need all the power I can get. I light up grain elevators and railroad bridges among other things. I will buy a pair of Einsteins just for the very fast recycle, which can come in handy when flashing moving freight trains (to get fast follow up shot.) However, they just don't have the power for really big stuff at a distance. (The new reflectors help.) However, I see Paul's point. I am currently using x5 WL X3200 as my main lights (I also have x2 B1600 and x8 Nikon SB-28) and they work well for me. I buy them used and pay about $400 each. Realistically, Paul would be competing with himself as the lights I have now work great for me and the cost/watt second is outstanding. So that's where PB Lighting has found itself--it's biggest competitor is now itself. :lol: I do think for studio guys that use softboxes and light up things like cars and groups of people that a bigger light would work better. They would have to cost $800, I would guess. If I had $800 spend, I would more likely use it to buy two more WL 3200 from eBay etc. though. Ideally I'd like to have about 15,000ws some day.


Kent in SD

Grain elevators - wow! :)

My entire studio space (12.5 x 30ft) could probably fit inside of those things.

But even such a studio can really use 1300WS strobes. If one uses light modifiers such as good-sized soft boxes or umbrellas, needs to shoot with a fairly stopped-down aperture at least some of the time, and wants to use the native camera ISO settings that produce the best quality (50...200 depending on model), I think it is virtually a given that something bigger than 640WS is desired.

The present 640WS Einstein, while obviously very useful in its own right, can be even more versatile as it'd be able to serve in many more lighting setups as a 2nd light if accompanied by the "big brother" that is at least a stop faster. I'm aware the X3200 is there, but having read the specs, I really like the color consistency, the really short partial-power flash durations, and the CyberCommander integration of the Einstein strobes - hence my desire for the 1300WS Einstein in the lineup.

Even if the 1300WS Einstein were not to be available for some time, as long as it were promised, I could be happy to get the CyberCommander and the 640WS Einstein when available and make do with it (or temporarily buy a used X3200 or similar light) until I can get the 1300WS Einstein. But the key is the promise that the 1300WS Einstein (or whatever the name would be) would happen. Without it I'd have to bite the bullet and get used/new Elinchrom monolights - which provide a similar level of sophistication and the power range needed, available today but for more $.

-- Alex Karasev
principal photographer
Karasev Studio
http://karasevstudio.com/

Alex, that's my sentiment exactly!

nice photos!

Sincerely
Michelle

Paul,

I for one, thank you for designing for the masses.

Alex,
It appears to me the only light that has a similar capability to the Einstein and more power is the Photogenic Solair PLR1000DRC. Seems like it would be a great light for you as long as you are willing to pay for it.

Yours truely,
One of the Masses...

Russell,

The fact that you are interested in Einstein as opposed to Alien Bees means you are quite particular about color and timing characteristics and control capability of your strobe lights. That's a trait of a discerning, deliberate photographer. I do not know exactly whom Paul termed "the masses", but "the masses" I know aren't aware of his existence. The light modifier of choice for the masses are their fingers unintentionally covering the direct flash of their point-and-shoots. One notch above from that, they buy a hotshoe flash and use it on-camera, unmodified and forward-firing. Many more notches of sophistication higher still, and they show up at a store to pick out some studio lights the salesperson sells them. If they do a fair bit of research they may become aware of Paul C Buff and the 4 different tiers of studio light products which he offers (counting Einstein as a tier of its own). As hard pressed as I am to SINCERELY qualify anybody at that level as masses, Alien Bees would be the mass market product if I had to choose one. Einstein is on the opposite end of the spectrum. If it is specifically catering to "the masses", then that term has been used so loosely or figuratively it does not specifically include or exclude anyone.

Thank you for suggesting the Photogenic Solair PLR1000DRC. It however only delivers about a half-stop more light than the Einstein, and lacks the bidirectional command and control sophistication of the Einstein. The light that more closely fits the desired 1300WS Einstein is the Elinchrom Style RX 1200, featuring 1200 watt-sec, and color consistency, short flash duration and sophisticated digital control and system integration similar in capability to Paul's system. It's even more money than the Photogenic, but less per watt-sec. I'd have no problem getting it (Elinchroms hold resale value pretty well) but I prefer to spend less money and I prefer to give that money to Paul and his American company. The best I can do as a customer is convey convincingly what it is I want, providing adequate supporting arguments or background info. I'm not some noob that just likes the idea of more light for no particular reason.

Lastly, I'd like to better understand your point of view. Paul presently makes a 1320WS X3200 monolight. It's X-Series, so it lacks several key advantages that the Einstein brings. Are you specifically asking that Paul never update it to Einstein level tech because 1320WS is not for the masses (while just 1 stop below that is for the masses)? I can go on about Paul's Z2500BTH head, but I think the point is made.

Or perhaps this is non-technical i.e. you feel I've put Paul on the spot bringing up the 1300WS Einstein when he's just now releasing a 640WS one, and you want to give him your support emotionally? I understand and respect that entirely, but I do not bring much emotion into this. Paul's here to make good honest living selling cost-effective yet sophisticated products serving the photographic community who use studio lights. I want a particular light, I ask Paul for what I want and if I am contemplating spending money elsewhere I'll tell Paul very clearly what the underlying rationale is.

Clearly, technology marches on, and since Paul already makes 1320WS and higher output level strobes, unless he wants to abandon those in the future, the versions featuring some or all of Einstein's advances such as the remote control integration, the color temp consistency, the fast cycle and the short partial-power flash duration, inevitably would propagate to those power levels. But it could take 8 months or it could take 4 years. And given that operating a mixed strobe environment would kill the advantages which the integrated and coordinated remote control of light output and other settings offers on systems like PCB CyberCommander and Elinchrom Skyport, whether the 1200WS or higher Einstein-like unit is 1 year away or 3 years away matters to me in terms of the buying decision. And looking at this thread, it matters to some other folks as well. Makes sense.