Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hey Luap, when can w expect the einstein's to be out of back order? I ordered one months ago and was wanting to test it out before buying more. you raised the price before I could give it a tryout :|

Im sure I will love it but getting tired of waiting. I know your doing everything you can to fill orders, im just curious what the ETA is...

Thanks

I ordered 3 Einsteins on 9/6/10 and was told that the production for v2 was to begin on sept. 10th. Support told me that new orders would ship in early to mid October, after the pre-orders were filled. After reading some of the posts, I'm beginning to lose hope, and I have only been waiting for a couple weeks! I couldn't imagine your feeling. Are these dates still possible Paul?

BTW, It's nice to see that the owner of the company is reachable, and the responses I have been reading from support have been great. These are the main reasons I purchased from here.

Agreed Cliff, bought my first B 5 or more years ago. The support team is second to none. I'm not crazy about supporting China on some of their products but I support there strobes being USA products. I'm even going to give their radio slaves a try because of there integration with the einstein. I love my pocket wizards but one less cord with CC and the Einsteins.

It's also a pleasure to see an old man like Paul :D still take an active part in his company to make sure his customers are treated right. He seems like he stays up with the forums and listens to what photographers are saying and asking for.

BTW Paul, I'm an AARP member so I'm allowed to call u old right? :lol:

No :evil: I'm the youngest thinking and acting person in my company, wouldn't touch an AARP card with a pole, haven't filed for SSI or Medicare and work 12-14 hours a day, including most holidays, from my recliner and wireless Mac, along side Deborah who is also working away. Got a nice 65" LCDTV usually tuned to Fox and my AR15 and semi-auto 38 close by! Damn conservative capitalist pig :evil:

As to Einstein V2, lost a week to a PC Board vendor mistake and had to reject a batch of counterfeit "Panasonic" capacitors and scramble to find some real ones. Parts are real hard to gather these days . . . worldwide. My manufacturing VP absolutely assures me production will start next week. He's getting afraid to announce setbacks to me because Deb keeps telling him she'll kick his butt.

Customer service girls are wonderful in view of getting dozens or hundreds of "when will it ship" emails and calls, and so far only one or two customers have gone off on them.

We've already placed orders for another 2500 Vagabond Mini batteries and inverters (5000 total at this point) because orders are pouring in like a leaky rowboat. PLMs are shipping as fast as we can get them.

Life is good, but I feel like I have a 500lb gorilla on my back sometimes. I also hate having to deal with China and try my best to keep as many US jobs in place as possible. Know anybody in North Carolina who is willing to sew an 86" PLM for $2? If I bought the fabric alone through US suppliers it would cost me more than I sell the whole thing for.

Now isn't this better that "Dear sir, thank you for your inquiry?"

Paul, fortunately, you get to deal with hassles of success, which is far better than having to deal with the hassles of failure. I for one am thrilled with my three Einstein version 1 units and happily await the version 2 replacements, along with the three additional ones I've ordered.

No complaints from me -- other than that the softboxes when collapsed remain rather bulky due to the integrated speedring and cage, making them a bit unweildy for travel. But, in the grand scheme of things, that's hardly worth fretting about.

Then why even bring it up?

Why not?

I’m still eagerly anticipating my first ever studio lights, four Einstein V2s. I am diffidently sold on the technology and wireless integration and still feel that I have made a smart decision. As my E2s are for personnel use I don’t feel the pressures a professional might waiting for delivery. Though since placing my order on June 16, 70 days ago, it has become a point for my peers to ask my how my new strobes are.

Keeping up E2 vigil,

Jason

PS – I really do appreciate the efforts taken to make sure the E2 is defect free. Having it right would be preferable even if it were to mean waiting another 70 days. Though I’m sure that doesn’t help the 500lb gorilla on your back.

You are not alone! :-) I too opted to go with the Einsteins for my first lights, a set of four like yourself. I placed the order back on May 4th, and it has been pins and needles ever since. I have a Vagabond II and a CyberCommander both waiting to do something, and a list of projects to kick off as long as your arm. But the wait is worth it because I know they are putting out the best product possible, and I really appreciate that.

Charles

As someone too impatient to wait for V2, I took delivery of my V1s in July. Holy Awesomeness, Batman! You won't regret it--probably the best lighting product value anywhere.

When combined with the new Vagabond Minis, I think Profoto better start looking over their shoulder. If they aren't already.

Not to start an Apple flame-war conversation here [please], but the Einstein vs AB experience is not unlike iPhone vs regular cell phone.

I've been a fan of Paul Buff products and service for a while, but the new generation gear has really raised the standard an order of magnitude.