Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

My last post was yesterday. lol. I haven't decided anything yet. I think I'll have to order an Einstein, I'm just waiting to get a rough idea how long I'll have to wait for it.

So I went with the Einstein.
I've been reading some confusion about the Cyber Commander with the Einstein. Should I have gone with the CST Transmitter instead? I also got the CRSB+s... Should I have just got the CSXCV? Is it possible to change my order since the whole order is waiting until my Einstein is ready to ship?

You can always change your order with no problem. You should definitely use the CSXCV rather than CSRB+ . . . you can do adjusting of Einstein with CSRB+ and it's $89/95 VS $29.95 for CSXCV. CSRB+ is needed for AB or WL with CC, but not for Einstein.

The best workflow is to use handheld CC to control and meter your lights, but use a CST on your camera to fire them.

Yes, the CSXCV's work very well, cost less, and work well with both the CST and CC. I use mine exactly as described: CST on the camera, CC in hand. Easier to operate and use the CC that way, can meter with it more easily if desired, with the plus that it is a backup trigger if the CST battery dies on a shoot :-)

Definitely go with the CSXCV, and keep in mind that PCB gives you a 2 month period in which you can return anything for a full refund. However, it's my guess that the gear is going to do everything you want, and you'll probably end up ordering more. By the way, you should eventually let us know where we can see some of your skateboard shots that were lit up with the Einstein's.

Okay, All of my stuff came in the mail yesterday. I haven't had a chance to test shoot with it yet but I played around to make sure everything was working. Everything seems fine except im missing the thumb screws to put my PLM together.

I have a noob question about the cyber commander. I've got it firing my Einstein, and my SB600s...but I can't get it to adjust the power of my Einstein. When I move the joystick up or down it does nothing, I have to go to the unit and do it myself. What am I missing here? Im on the right screen, it says in the bottom to flick up or down to adjust power but its just not working.

Contact customer service for a replacement thumb screw. In the mean time, the one out of the light will work, and you will not need it on the light to hold the PLM.

For the adjustment, do you have a vertical blue bar in the channel graph? My guess would be, no. If this is the case, go to SETUP>OPEN MEMORY>select "studio" in the lower left, and press in on the right hand button.

Once it is finished opening, you should have a white dash and blue bar for each E640, and a white dash only for the SB600's. You are done for the E640's. For the SB's, go to SETUP>SPEC LIGHTS, select the appropriate channel for each SB, then select OTHER>SPEEDLITE. Repeat for each speedlite.

I tried what you said to do. After selecting studio, it says it finished opening studio light. Problem is, no blue bar showed up and now I cant get the Einstein to fire from the CC at all anymore. It worked for setting up my SBs, but now the Einstein only flashes from the test button on the CRSB+ and the test button on the actual unit.

What do I try now?

Im thinking I should have just went with the CST since Im new to all this stuff.

Make sure the transmitter and receiver are set to the same frequencies.

Make sure each light is on a separate channel. If there are two csr+ or Einstein CSXCVs set to the same channel the CC will receive replies two responses and can't open either one.