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nick351
09-02-2010, 10:21pm
Looking to hear any members thoughts on these units to be released soon, I've used an alien bee 1600 and 800. How would the einsteins compare?

Thanks in advance

DAdeGroot
09-02-2010, 10:25pm
Apparently more powerful than the 1600's and more importantly, consistent colour temperature across all power settings (or at least a lot more consistent than the AB 1600 and 800).

nick351
09-02-2010, 10:47pm
Not too much more expensive than the AB's too, considering taking the plunge on one to start with.

jjphoto
09-02-2010, 11:14pm
There's a long thread on FM with much input from Paul Buff here;

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/835412

There's lots of info about the units on the Buff (Alien Bees) web site too;

http://www.paulcbuff.com/pcb2009/einstein.html

I've been following these units for quite a while as I think they will suit my needs quite well and I've been considering getting some when they are available. They have shorter flash durations than the AB1600's but with the same power. They will also run on the Vagabond II batt packs which are 110volt (not 240v) as the Einsteins operate from 95-265VAC.

JJ

ehor
10-02-2010, 9:25am
Apparently more powerful than the 1600's and more importantly, consistent colour temperature across all power settings (or at least a lot more consistent than the AB 1600 and 800).
Same power. 640ws :)

Don't forget to factor in price of modifiers etc as well when buying. Go the Large foldable softbox at a minimum size wise.

fhphoto
19-02-2010, 12:12am
but the question is....how long can you wait?

ehor
22-02-2010, 12:00pm
but the question is....how long can you wait?
Not long enough.
I just bought a set of Ranger RX's :D

DavidG
23-02-2010, 10:28am
but the question is....how long can you wait?

This was recently posted ....

http://www.paulcbuff.com/einstein/preorder.html

and so I'd expect atleast the end of March now ... some folks on other forums are saying even a couple of months longer ...

Ive got 2 on order and considering I made a decesion to buy based on an release date of January 2010 ... Was hoping to use on a shoot scheduled for the 27th of March ....

I have other stuff that will do the job, but considering this is my first foreray into this kind of product Im just sitting tight ... will see what happens ... Ranger RX's are certainly an option ...

ehor
23-02-2010, 10:37am
Ranger RX's are great ;)

DavidG
23-02-2010, 11:43am
Ranger RX's are great ;)

I hear you ...

Will see how long my patience will last :confused013

ehor
23-02-2010, 11:46am
I hear you ...

Will see how long my patience will last :confused013
But the price difference is pretty big LOL.

DavidG
23-02-2010, 1:02pm
But the price difference is pretty big LOL.

$800 - $1000 difference ??

ehor
23-02-2010, 1:14pm
Cheapest is $2295.
So about $1700 difference.
Then you've got the price of modifiers on top of that.

Maybe it's worth the wait after all :)

DavidG
24-02-2010, 9:48am
Cheapest is $2295.
So about $1700 difference.
Then you've got the price of modifiers on top of that.

Maybe it's worth the wait after all :)

I was thinking of 2 einsteins and a vagabond II power pack ... that would cost about $1750 .... v's ELINCHROM RANGER RX S SET at $2295 ... if the Einsteins delivery colour consistancy with the additionan 240ws then its makes for a very interesting comparison ... just when is the question ...

ehor
24-02-2010, 9:52am
The Ranger RX will pump 1100ws through that single head ;)

jjphoto
24-02-2010, 10:09am
Echor, did you buy local or from OS? They are potentially cheaper from B+H or Adorama but I haven't looked into it too deeply. Have you?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=364094&is=REG

or

http://www.kayellaustralia.com.au/isellit/products/products.taf?_function=detail&show=search&id=6&_UserReference=7E83F9B4CEEC12334B845FAA

JJ

ehor
24-02-2010, 10:15am
I bought mine local. Yeah BH is cheaper but then you have shipping and GST and customs fee ontop.

DavidG
24-02-2010, 1:40pm
The Ranger RX will pump 1100ws through that single head ;)

Didnt know that .... hmmm thanks ...

ehor
24-02-2010, 2:30pm
Ranger Quadra's are 400ws but only $1800 for an A head (action head). About 1 stop less than the einsteins BUT it has built in skyports so you can adjust power remotely. Also has LED "day light balanced" modelling lamps :)

DavidG
25-02-2010, 10:38am
Ranger Quadra's are 400ws but only $1800 for an A head (action head). About 1 stop less than the einsteins BUT it has built in skyports so you can adjust power remotely. Also has LED "day light balanced" modelling lamps :)

You make a convincing arguement Ed :)

ehor
25-02-2010, 11:34am
You make a convincing arguement Ed :)
LOL. Well best is to go and checkout a ranger Q/RX in person. The size of the Quadra heads will suprise you. Kinda like a slightly squashed can of coke.

If you miss that extra stop just bump up the ISO ;)

Geoff
01-03-2010, 8:34pm
Possibly OT - So out of curiosity Ed - what made you swap?

I must admit I covet the Quadra's - so small - not sure I'm a fan of the requirement for the speedring adaptor but....so small.

Mind you - I also covet the speed of the Einstein compared to my current flash set.

Cost of light modifiers for Elinchrom is somewhat higher than AB/Einstein.

ehor
01-03-2010, 8:52pm
Possibly OT - So out of curiosity Ed - what made you swap?

I must admit I covet the Quadra's - so small - not sure I'm a fan of the requirement for the speedring adaptor but....so small.

Mind you - I also covet the speed of the Einstein compared to my current flash set.

Cost of light modifiers for Elinchrom is somewhat higher than AB/Einstein.
Main factor was the power from the Ranger RX. (1100ws)

Then in no particular order
- einstieins delayed indefinately
- big range of lights in the elinchrom range for me to grow and expand in to

Yeah elinchrom modifiers cost crapload more than Alien Bee ones put two together and you'll see the difference in materials used. You can also get generic softboxes from ebay etc to fit elinchrom if you want to ease the initial spend.

Alien Bees are a great way to get in to studio flashes on a budget but if you plan on shooting outdoors a bit I think the Quadra/RX system better suits location work.

The Quadra A head is like 1/6000 t.5 time and I think the 2 A head "To Go" kit is 2.3k with carry case, umbrella etc.

jjphoto
01-03-2010, 10:21pm
Although I haven't used either kit, I've certainly been looking into both for a long time now, I doubt you can beat the Alien Bees stuff for value for money if LOCATION shooting is your thing. The Vagabonds are really quite cheap, and light, and the power of the AB lights is quite OK for most applications although 640WS is not up there with the RX or other high end gear. However, there is no way the AB's can really compare with more expensive gear like the RX's if you really need that kind of power (although you could use 2 AB heads in one Vagabond and have more power than the RX, and still for much less than the cost of a single Ranger RX). Personally I would love to pick up probably 3 Ranger RX kits but in reallity I can't justify the cost so will ulimately buy 2 or 3 Vagabonds (or maybe the Innovatronix) and probably 3 Einsteins.

Once you start looking at gear in the power and price range of the Ranger RX's, Bowens have some nice options too, you start needing to justify some serious financial outlay. Broncolor is another story again. Many can afford that kind of gear but not me. I think that's why Paul Buff has done so well in the market, supplying a very good product at a much better price.

I've hired the Broncolor Mobil A2R (1200Ws) packs and heads in the past. These are a $4.5 to $6K kit. This really is the high end of portable lighting (although you could hire a big generator and use a Broncolor Scoro A4S 3200 W/S Pack (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/599750-REG/Broncolor_10_2995_Scoro_A4S_3200_W_S.html) if you really wanted to go all the way). To be honest, I couldn't see the value in the Broncolor Mobil A2R and I would never shell out for it (maybe fashion 'togs would appreciate it more than I do, better colour consistency which doesn't matter to me). On the other hand, if I had the dough, and the assistants to lug it around, I'd buy the Broncolor Scoro A4S 3200 W/S Pack (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/599750-REG/Broncolor_10_2995_Scoro_A4S_3200_W_S.html), and a generator, in a heart beat.

Check this out for an amazing demo of what the ScoroA4S is capable of.

http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2009/10/chase-jarvis-tech-strobed-photo.html

JJ

DavidG
30-05-2010, 2:59pm
Has anyone got info on Einsteins hitting Australian shores as yet?

Been on backorder whats seems like forever ... :(

nick351
30-05-2010, 6:03pm
Still considering to jump on a portable set up, either a Ranger Quadra kit or einstein w/vagabond.

Cant decide! Einsteins are still good value for money.

bigdazzler
13-06-2010, 9:37pm
I came within a millmeter of pulling the trigger on a Quadra kit last night ... restrained myself though (for once) :D

JazzXP
15-06-2010, 9:26am
I've used ehor's RX set and it makes me cry that I don't have more money (well, more the fact that the wife says no). Very nice gear, I can't get my speedlights looking anywhere near as good as those.

bigdazzler
07-07-2010, 11:22am
220-240v Einsteins delayed indefinitely ..

https://paulcbuff.com.au/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=13

JazzXP
08-07-2010, 8:56am
220-240v Einsteins delayed indefinitely ..

https://paulcbuff.com.au/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=13

This is still saying end of August though https://paulcbuff.com.au/cms/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=40&Itemid=1&vmcchk=1&Itemid=1

bigdazzler
08-07-2010, 9:52am
If they are offering ABs in lieu for now, in the second week of July, that end of August ETA seems very unlikely to me.

I reckon thats there just to keep people interested. "Technical Issues" doesnt sound promising. I reckon well be lucky to see them by Christmas.

SRR33
30-07-2010, 11:39am
Im still waiting for my PLM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!