Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

In this months issue of Shutterbug they dedicated the issue to lighting. I was extremely disappointed that when the article was written, and they formatted it to apply categories to the lighting models/make being reviewed.

They placed the E640 in the 'Budget' category. I have a set of 8a Air's here and although they don't collect dust, I get more out of my E640's daily than those and my overall quality of shots and lighting is better 99% of the time.

Given the features, quality of build, innovation AND design alone... This was a crazy evaluation on this lighting system. The comments written about the CyberCommander were a joke. No other manufacturer even touched the features of this device, and again, this isn't even touching the price point on it !

I just take it very personal that the flimsy and light way the features were laid out, the descriptions of the actual operation, and overall impression after reading just the E640 information printed was lame and not categorized correctly.

The evaluation and accuracy of that information did not do this piece of equipment justice by any standard.

Sorry for not being technical, but it wasn't right.

Thank you John. We're very used to this. To be blunt, the "technical editors" of just about every photo magazine have no idea of what they're talking about.

Indeed, Einstein outperforms Profoto and Broncolor high end systems in just about any parameter you can name. That includes flash duration, color accuracy, power control range, power tracking consistency and accuracy, remote control capability, etc.

Regarding your 8As, they don't use IGBT technology, though many people believe they do. The only pro system other than Einstein that does is the Bron Grafit and Scoro systems, and the newly almost-released $5000 Hensel 400WS specialty strobe light - 13.6 lbs and no form of color control and only 7 f stop power range (likely color temperature at low power from my experience around 12,000°K). They spec minimum flash duration at 1/66,000 T.5 which comes out about 1/30,000 t.1.

If one really wants 1/66,000 t.5 from Einstein, it can be easily achieved by adjusting the voltage and IGBT gate time on the rear panel LCD, at the cost of extreme color temperature rise and loss of output consistency.

When I designed Einstein, I made the assumption that 99% of users would prefer a 1/13,500 t.1 (1/27,000 t.5) duration, coupled with a manageable 1000° color shift (in Action Mode) (50° Color Shift in Color Mode) and complete stability and repeatability, to 1 5000°+ color shift and poor repeatability and accuracy. (I'm not specifically saying Hensel is inaccurate and not repeatable, but my experience suggests that probability, and guarantees the huge rise in color temperature.)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/7 ... light.html

As the designer of Einstein and manufacturer with 30 years experience as the USA leader in flash technology, I'm fully prepared to backup these claims with a side by side shoot out anytime.

The reason Einstein is $499 instead of $2000 to $5000 is that it is sold direct from our US factory to the USA user without any middlemen, importers, distributors, dealers, etc, and our pricing policy is, and always has been, geared toward sales to the masses.

All the magazine editors see is the price!!

Paul maybe you should run more ads in those mags as that seems to be an influence on ratings I have 3 of the Eisensteins and they are FANTASTIC! Love em couldn't live and work without them Keep up the great work thanks for a great product!!

Paul

First. Thnaks for allowing me to post a non-technical in a technical forum.

Second, you will rarely find a more staunch supporter or out spoken voice than I when it comes to all aspects of what Paul C Buff encompasses as a BRAND period.

Although not educated to the level as yourself in as many areas. I have been using, and shooting studio since 1978. I know from where I stand on equipment issues. All the fancy ad work and claims notwithstanding.

With the advent of the Einstein SYSTEM (because it is a total system) it was a game changer for all of us that do studio work daily. I'm grateful for your work and innovation and foresight for studio shooters everywhere.

And although I do enjoy seeing the wonderful water shot ads placed in my Shutterbug covers each month. I would equally enjoy a factual side-by-side comparisons to these other 'High End' monos and head systems.

I'm tired of the mentality, and arguments surrounding the Buff products that... I USE daily, Make money with daily, and know there capabilities, being trashed and subjected to mis-information every time the subject of monos or heads come up.

And the fact that a lot of these guys use YOUR Vagabond Minis on other "high end" lights to power their shots... Priceless.

This doesn't even touch on your service department, the people.. And the cost of the average repair coming out of the Buff company.

Despite all of the clatter. I will continue my crusade of touting the costs vs. income, the quality vs. hype here in Canada (and when I travel)..

I will ask you, to just do what you've always done...

Just be Paul, and do all the great and innovative things you have done for so many us for so many years.

You make my life easier.

Education? HA! I have a high school degree, one year of Marine/Navy Electronics school (did graduate #1 out of 500 though) and one semester of local college before I said screw it and went to work for myself.

As for the ad stuff, funny you should mention that. I am just about to start writing some old Buff Style extremely wordy and informative ads that tell it all, in no uncertain terms. I have to write this type of ad myself because nobody can do it.

I agree about the Water Wings ad . . . it's beautiful to look at, but this kind of ad doesn't really tell you much.

Thanks so much for your support and words.

Oh, this post is so timely...

Just last week I viewed a CreativeLive portrait workshop (great concept, btw).

I roared when I watched the photo assistant run countless times, on command, to the BIGASS power supply to adjust the strobe(s) output for his master photographer!

Other times I see them lower the light stand, adjust at the head, and hike the strobe back into position. :D

With my CC, I perform that very same task with ease and efficiency from camera location or wherever I choose within range.

While the capitalists and the self-proclaimed elitists/egotists throw stones, I'm off sipping a glass of fine wine at the end of a very productive and profitable day!

Thanks for the revolutionary, innovative technology and direct marketing, Paul!

And KUDOS to your AWESOME client support team....

I don't want this to turn into a love fest but I love the way my single Einstein set up in my living room taking pics of my girls in their prom and homecoming dresses make me look like a pro! thank you, shayne