Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Thanks. Called a little while ago, btw, spent some time on hold, then was told no one was available to help. Left my number. Hope someone calls me back; I really need to get this light working or replaced.

Sorry about the delay, but i understand someone did contact you since your post.

Yes, thank you very much. As usual, you guys (and gals) rock! (Sometimes literally, as while I was on hold this morning I was treated to a rousing performance of "Bad to the Bone".)

So I received my four replacement Einsteins yesterday, and also sent out my four faulty Einsteins back yesterday as well.

This time three appear to be working flawlessly. I repeatedly tested the lever on the mount about 50 times to make sure it wouldn't like up like the original batch, and so far so good.

However one was yet again broken on arrival. Again, the problem was with the mounting system. The lever on this one barely wanted to move in either direction. It didn't recoil back to it's native position, and it was difficult to move in either direction. This one was far worse then the first three that had a similar issue. I called customer service and they are yet again sending me a replacement and I will be sending the original back. I am suppose to be traveling with these lights in two weeks so I am hoping this second try is a charm on the last light. I am also somewhat concerned to be flying with them if this damage is occurring so easily during shipping (as I would guess the lights are thoughtfully inspected before shipping).

EDIT: Oh, also, 2 Einsteins arrived with broken Pyrex domes. I neglected to mention it on the phone as I had an extra for when I was sent a replacement Pyrex dome for a light I sent back anyhow, and the one light that is not working now is also getting sent back without a Pyrex dome, so I am not short any.

Was the light with the stiff cam also one with a broken dome?

Yes, it was one of the two with broken domes.

I can't help but think that it may be a better decision to go with some AB's instead! And I could probably have them next week.

Maybe I should stop visiting this forum 15 times daily to read bad things..

Remember, any forum like this is where complaints/problems go. People who have happy results don't post problems. I am sure we are just a very vocal minority.

Your right.. And the positive reviews have kept me hanging. I guess i'm just really anxious, I can't imagine how the people that have been waiting since May/June feel.

I'm probably in a different situation than most too - seeing that we are opening a studio once we have the v2's. (We have "starter" monolights now that just can't cut it)

We have seen a correlation between broken glass and gritty/sticking cams. It seems the glass fragments may be causing/compounding the sticking cams. As of now, we are shipping domes unattached to the heads, and individually protected. For location shooting, there should not be a problem leaving the dome in place. However, if travelling with the lights where an unknown entity will be throwing it into a cargo hold, you may want to keep this in mind.