Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

One of the Einsteins gets along with it's MC2, MiniTT1 and AC3 buddies just fine. The new firmware from PW lets me choose what 6 stop range I want to use. By resetting the Einstein's output at 1/256, and setting the AC3 at -3 and firing the strobe, the six lower stop range is selectable with the 6 stop scale on the AC3. Perfect!

But the other Einstein will have no part of it, and insists on keeping it's power range dead center on the scale, making the top and bottom of the scale unreachable with the AC3. I tried switching the MC2s to the other Einsteins and the cooperative one still behaves great, while the uncooperative Einstein holds fast to the middle. (I set power at 1/256, set the AC3 at -3 in the corresponding channel and zone, fire the camera to pop the strobe. Then when I dial up the power, it goes jumps UP two stops to 1/64th and will not let me dial back to the lower two stop range (via the AC3).

In this same scenario, the cooperative Einstein stays fully adjustable in the lower range from 1/256 power to 1/4 power (perfect for portraits).

All Firmware... aha! I have not been able to find a 2GB SDHC card to check firmware on the Einsteins! Could that be it? Where can you get a 2GB sdhc card? I don't think anyone makes the little things anymore.

Is there something else at play here? Serial number on the friendly Einstein is E64025500, the stubborn one is E64012081, if that helps (can you tell if they are different editions or what firmware is active in each?). The guy I got them from did not mention Firmware status.

Thanks... t

Einstein firmware should not matter, unless it is REALLY old, but it can be checked by powering on the units. The firmware will be displayed at the bottom during bootup. Or, you can use the Fn button to scroll to the diagnostics screen. The firmware will be displayed at the bottom. We can find the version of firmware the unit shipped with, but we do not know the update history of that unit.

2GB microSD cards (not SDHC) can typically be found in grocery stores or drug stores. We also see them in Walmart around here. Best Buy and Radio Shack may not have them.

Also, make sure you are using the C-TL channel and not the CH channel. These are different and are often confused. Also, make sure the groups are set correctly.

Otherwise, trouble shooting will need to be done with Pocket Wizard, as we are not intimately familiar with the system. The fact the power increased leads me to not think it is the flash unit but a setting.

Thank you. I'll check Firmware Vr when I power up tomorrow, and then go over to LPA for a Q and A with their tech heads. (and I'm definitely on a C-TL channel, and groups are matched, but thanks for that)... t

I've sent PW tech an email. Meanwhile, I wonder if you have any suggestions/ideas why one Einstein, with the same PW tools, behaves so differently than the other, when I use the identical tools in it (especially the MC2)?

Another bit of info: The Einstein that cooperates shows FW 31, the one that doesn't shows FW 26. Could that be it? This latest firmware upgrade in the MC2 from PW is what enabled the selection of a specific 6 stop range within the Einstein's 8 stop capability. Maybe FW 26 doesn't get the message?

Firmware v.26 should be the only version that changes the behavior of the light with regards to Pocket Wizards. While I can see PW making FW changes to their devices to adapt to our firmware changes, I cannot see any of the changes we made being of any influence to the functions you describe.

I do not have any ideas as to why the units behave differently. There is the chance it is defective, but unless you can verify with a CyberSync system, it would have to come in for us to determine that.



However, I would recommend updating both lights to v.50.

I am happy to report that after updating firmware to V5, both lights have total and repeatable functionality with MiniTT1 and AC3. Adjustable 6 stop range within the Einstein's 8 stop capability, with independent control of both/either via Zones on the AC3.

Thanks for your help on this... t

Is that firmware v5 on the Pocket Wizards, or v50 on Einstein?

Einstein firmware is 50? Sorry, I must have hallucinated a . in there. Yes updated to current firmware on all noted devices. Prior to Einstein update, the PW equipment was updated to current. This issue, however, was not resolved until the Einstein FW was updated to v50. Thanks again… t