Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Just received my Einstein unit today. Played around with it in the backyard for about a hour. And boy was I happy with its results! Highly recommend it.

I shoot mainly action sports photography therefore my flash units do a lot of traveling. I bought Paul Buff single light carrying bag. To my surprise, the bag was ABSOLUTELY terrible. Complete waste of money. Providing little to no padding, only one simple storage pocket, and the bag is nearly twice the size of any AB unit or Einstein. My Einstein bounces all over the place inside the bag. If only the case were twice as padded and 1/2 the size. Very Disappointing. You are better off wrapping your flash unit up in an old sweatshirt!

I was wondering what everyone else has been doing for a carrying case? or perhaps if Paul Buff has plans for a new case?

Even if you haven't kept your original packing foam, this will hold 2 with their power cords. Throw away the tool card. http://www.harborfreight.com/18-inch-x- ... 39196.html.


Ken R.

I use the Staples version of these:

http://www.officemax.com/office-furnitu ... rod2330162

They'll hold two E640's (with the new short covers); I use 'em for one light+VML+reflector+cords+receiver+super clamp, etc. I've been meaning to make padding and dividers, but they work just fine without, as long as it's just me carrying them to and from the car. What I like most is that you can stack 'em.

One tip for anybody using plastic totes... look for the kind where the handle is attached to the body of the box. If the handle is on the lid and the lid comes loose, your stuff falls.

The carry bag is designed to hold one AB or E640 (with a long shipping cover), the cord and 8.5" reflector. When all of these items are used, it is a pretty snug fit.

I love the new short covers. When I got my v1 Einsteins I got the traveling cases because the old cases were too tight a fit. With the short covers I've gone back to the old cases because of the extra padding. That said, they travel most of the time in a hard shell Photoflex case.

TS - I have a couple of the bags, too, and they do work pretty well, didn't mean to imply otherwise. Nice to be able to carry a light and VML and acc's in one cheap box, though... also gives better ding protection for reflectors. Wish I could find a plastic box that would fit the beauty dish, but no luck so far.

(BTW... first outdoor shoot with VML: I had to walk several blocks to shoot a fire dance... needed more than a speedlight. Between the Einstein/VML tote and a shoulder bag for the cameras... I was a walking studio and still had one hand free. I'm lazy and out of shape, but it was nearly effortless to carry. Really a game-changer. If you offered a combo case for light+VML I'd think it would be popular).

I've recently started using these bags from Adorama. They are built like a tank and will try the patience of any baggage monkey at the airlines. I suspect they are made for Adorama by the same folks that make LightWare bags. They have a Lexan core wrapped in ½” closed cell . Even the dividers are Lexan wrapped with foam. Exterior is ballistic nylon. They are extremely well made. And get this … they are only $70.

Each bag contains:
Einstein 640
power cord
25' extension cord
charging cord
Super Clamp with stud
Assorted 10”x10” gels
reflector
grid
PW Plus 2
PW PowerMC2
CyberSync csxcv
Vagabond battery
Vagabond II inverter
(The whole kit weighs just under 28 pounds.)

Coincidently, they can also hold a fifth of rum, a liter of coke and a ½ bag of ice. Don't ask me why I know this...





You can find the bag here: http://www.adorama.com/FPCS500.html

Looks like a great case at a bargain price, Ziv, but I have to ask what it is that you have stuck in the E640's umbrella tube as a handle?

Dave F.

Dave

The handle is pretty simple. I had some stainless 3/8 rod that I lathed down to fit the 'brella clearance, cut a slight detent and threaded the end 3/8-16 for the knob. You can find the knob at McMaster-Carr ( http://www.mcmaster.com/#control-handles/=c9xkgj)

Thanks much for the explanation, Ziv. You've just given me reason number 1,072 for getting a mini-lathe :(

Dave F.