Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hello,

I'm just about to order a PCB kit containing an X3200, and X1600 and an E640. Now to profit from the deeper accessories discount when buying 4 flashes i was wondering what i should get as a 4th?

I was thinking about another E640 so that i could eventually use them for rim lights on each sides if needed or a ABR800 ringflash.

I mainly shoot outdoor portraits, weddings, corporate and architecture. Each will have a vagabond pack...

Any opinions from you lightning gurus?

Thanks

Hi, Tenebrius

Is max wattage for shooting architecture of more use to you, or is remote control capability for when you do portraits? This and how you will be triggering your lights might be a factors in what you choose.


Cw.

http://www.craigwasselphotoart.com

Hmm, well i'd like to stay polyvalent of course, i feel that another 3200 would be great for architecture but then again it's needs over wants, as i do more portraits, well more photo-shoots like models wearing Victorian era dresses in front of an old castle or building and wedding in indoor and outdoor settings. Then again if i'm asked to shoot some babies in a clients house a 3200 is probably overkill, argh!

As for triggers i'll be using the cyber commander of my Camera.

Well, since more of your work is portraits and you are getting a Cybercommander I would make the 4th light an Einstein. I'm a portrait shooter, and earlier this year I sold my strobes and my long-loved and trusted triggers and started building a system of a Cybercommander, Einsteins, and Vagabonds.

I am going to sound like a fanboy here, but the portability/versatility of the setup and the ability to change Einstein settings via the Cybercommander makes work easier and faster, which in turn frees up energy to think more creatively. It's the best equipment decision I've ever made.

Some say the Cybercommander is too confusing or slow to use, but after a little practice and so much use I don't find that to be true. I thought I would only change settings remotely when lights were up high, but I've found I rarely touch Einsteins directly during a shoot. Others say the Cybercommander is useless in bright sunlight, but as someone with aging eyes I have not found that to be true either. I just turned my brightness setting up to max, and made sure the display goes into power save after 20 seconds. I'm not saying there are not small things about the CC/Einstein that I would not change/add, but none are deal breakers or things that can't be addressed with mods, etc.


cw.

http://www.craigwasselphotoart.com