Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

rskura - Thanks for the note, think I got a little mixed up with that test and mine ended up being about output consistency. Will try to repeat this test adjusting power settings/aperture if I have a chance.

It would be damn hard to find a reason not to like these things.

Huge output range, silly fast t.1 times, great user interface, all for under $500 AND made in the USA. Deals like this don't come along very often.

Brian

Love my 3. If I had the $ I'd order 6 more and swap out my WL X1600's. Einsteins are just so easy to use when paired with the commander. The only complaint I have is the fan is a little noisy.

by "noisy" is it a whir, as you would expect from a fan, only loud? Or is it more of a rattle or other sound? Also, is it on just one light or multiple lights? I ask, as i dont think think the normal fan noise is objectionably loud. It is about the same as the Bees and WL (when they are running).

It's just a fan noise but louder than my WL1600s and AB800s

But way quieter than Eli RX600

It work as stated on the spec. The only thing that irritates me is the wireless trigger issue. It doesn't work to well with pocketwizard. I have the PocketWizard Plus II, MiniTT1, and FlexTT5. I could only get it to work about 4 ft. away for consistent firing. The Cyber Commander and CSXCV Transceiver Module, I get about 15 ft. for consistent firing. My favorite feature are the build-in light meter and color temperature meter when using with the Cyber commander and the ability of remote controlling the light setting.

I had one Einstein failed on me after a few hours of used. Report to Customer service and they provided me with an advance replacement at no cost. They pay for all shipment cost.

I had no issue on 30x60 Foldable Giant Softbox and 32x40 Foldable large Softbox. Played it on the 7" Reflector, grid, LiteMod Barndoor, LiteMod Unit MainFrame, and Gel.

I had it for about 3 weeks and used it on 3 different client last week without issue with limitation of not using pocketwizard and keep my distance within 15 ft. since I was using the Cyber Commander. The flash popping sound tends to startle little kids a little during the shoot. I had to bring down the power to 1/2 to lower the popping sound.

Waiting for the pocketwizard issue to be resolve.

I've only used mine for 2 HS seniors and 1 baby shoot so far with no problems - but - they will be put to the test starting next friday when they will be used 5 days a week for the next 3 months, about 6 hrs a day on HS seniors. So we will see how they hold up. But I've been using only PB stuff for the last 5 years so I don't expect any problems.

No issues, but I've had several subject move around in front of the PLM or BD and ask "can you hear that" as if they're about to Bee stung :o With the radio on, its not a problem.

I think the fact that that some of the air is vented behind the dome and is amplified just like the flash is very different from previous AB's...

On a side note if an MP3 player or CB could be mounted in there - it sure would make it easy to direct models from 30 feet :D

I finally got a workaround for the wireless trigger issue. Attaching the Cyber commander to the FlexTT5, I can successfully trigger the flash anywhere around the house using the Pocketwizard Plus II or the MiniTT1 at 100% success rate. I was also able to use my Sekonic 758DR meter for wireless trigger metering. With this setup, I was also able to setup a camera wireless remote triggering using the pocketwizard.

Outside in open space, I was able to trigger the flash using Cyber Commander just over 100 ft and 100% success rate at about 65 ft. Integrating the Cyber Commander to the Pocketwizard workaround, I was able to trigger about 172 ft. at 100% success rate when the Cyber Commander was about 10 ft away from the Einstein. It can probably go over 172 ft. if I place the Cyber Commander further since it act as a communication relay. When the wind was blowing outside, I can trigger a little bit further; don't understand why the wind affect the distance.

Had a chance to test this new setup with an actual client over the weekend with out issue. It's great to do a photo session with kids without worry about them tripping over the cable.

FYI: This same workaround also work if you installed the Pocketwizard Plus II into the top of the PC to Flash Hotshoe Adapter and connect the Cyber Commander to the PC to Flash Hotshoe Adapter using the cable that came with the Cyber Commander.