Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

As is normal with any internet forums of this nature people tend to post more when they are having issues and need help. It would be nice to hear from some working photographers that got their Einsteins and have put them to work and are happy with them.
It seems from the forum there have been a few bugs that need to be worked out for use in certain situations, but it would be nice to hear from those of you that have your Einsteins and are working with them. I am particularly interested in how they are working in studio situations, as this will be my main usage.

I haven't really worked them out yet, but the tests I have run in studio are great. I plan on taking them out to a concert venue after my Vagabond gets here and really work them out then. Will let you know.

Used them for an Indoor track meet on the long jump and triple jump.
No problem stopping the action @ 1/2 to 3/4 power.

I have had my Einsteins for a bit over a month. In studio tests confirm about 0.2 F accuracy from stop to stop using the CC light meter and old trusty minolta meter. I had to calibrate the CC slightly to match my meter. After that they agree to 0.1. Color tests using RAW images only show minor variation in constant color mode. Nothing really worth mentioning.

In studio, I use HOBD and 47" Octo with no problems of slipping. Quick connect seems soft, but I have had no issues with any modifiers coming loose.
HOBD on remote shoot worked great.....

I shoot mainly location with speed-lights for portability. But have taken them into the field on two shoots so far and they worked flawless except for the CC short range. PCB tech support is working on a solution for this reported issue. I am ordering CST for backup and extended range.

Got back ordered VII today, so no more long extension cords....Yeehah.

Summary: The Einstein lights have performed exactly as PCB reported. Limited time to test much. Clients very pleased. Already paid for themselves. That is the bottom line to me.

Thanks for the feedbeek everyone, my number on the pre order list should be comming up soon and it's good to hear from happy campers. :mrgreen:

Does anybody know what number they are up to on the pre-order list. The last number I heard was 594 and that was a couple weeks ago. I think that I'm still a few weeks out but would love to know what number they are currently up to.

Rick- Page 10 of the thread on Einstein Preorder Number Status seems to have Mr Buff's most recent quote on the situation date stamped from last Friday. Here's the link to the thread:

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=474&start=90

Been very happy with mine so far. Did a little write-up on the blog here:
http://www.stephenvoss.com/blog/2010/05/review-of-the-paul-buff-einste.html

I had the Profoto 2 sets and elinchrome 2 sets with the remote control working in the studio, so far I have 3 einstein with CC and 6 more einstein on the way. If I had to pick out the three no dought it would be einstein hands down and it is less 50% of the cost of the other lights...
I like the fact I can turn down the flash and use my camera lens 2.0 and be able to turn up the modeling lights that a big plus...

Stephen, thanks for the review. It was nice to see the video showing the user interface. It looks really good.

One point about your color test though . . . the benefit of the Einstein is not the repeatability of color temperature. The Alien Bees already do very well with that, as your test determined. The benefit is consistent color temperature at different power settings. If you would have changed the power (and adjusted your exposure accordingly to make up for the difference), you should have seen color temp shifts with the AB, but not with the Einstein.

Thanks again for the great review though! Looking forward to what else you have to say about these.