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What don´t you like about Einstein E640?

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DavidSvensson

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I´m thinking a getting a pair of Einstein E640. It seems like very good equipment at its price-point, and well-liked by the users.

I´d be much interested in hearing the views of those who have found some negative sides of these.

I´m also thinking of adding a cyber commander and a vagabond mini lithium, so any thoughts on those would be appreciated too.

David
 
I own six Einsteins and use them constantly. They are great. I dumped gear costing many thousands of dollars in favor of Einstein.

Issues:
  • The ready beep could be louder
  • The spring-loaded grip arms that hold softboxes in place do not instill a lot of confidence, especially with big boxes, like a 40-inch x 60-inch.
 
The Einsteins are great. I have 3 and am buying a fourth.

Spec-wise, they compete with units/setups many times their price point. As in, 3-6 times or something like that.

But what don't I like?

Although it looks better than Alien Bees, PCB could still really stand some help in the design department.

I feel like if they took the innards of an Einstein and put it into a lightweight metal of some sort (and possibly devise a pack/head system out of it that's not as fugly as the Zeus system), one that's hearty and robust and ROUNDED or at least aesthetically pleasing... then they'd have something amazing that might appeal to people that are iffy about "the bees."

Even if they split the line. Say $750 for the better light in the sweet and good-looking enclosure that's built tougher would be fine. Whatever they have to do. A "Pro" line seems like a good idea to me. They have the specs. They just don't have the durability or pleasing look to the eye. The curves. Etc.

I don't like the little logo plate that jiggles. They couldn't have made that... not jiggle? I also wish it had a handle, which would make moving it with a softbox or big mod a lot easier.

I wish they made a ring flash with the Einstein innards that was no where near as dumb and clunky and plastic and cheap looking.

If PCB did any of those things, I'd be thrilled. But it's a good light. Great light.
DavidSvensson said:
I´m thinking a getting a pair of Einstein E640. It seems like very good equipment at its price-point, and well-liked by the users.

I´d be much interested in hearing the views of those who have found some negative sides of these.

I´m also thinking of adding a cyber commander and a vagabond mini lithium, so any thoughts on those would be appreciated too.

David
Click to expand...
 
DotCom Editor said:
I own six Einsteins and use them constantly. They are great. I dumped gear costing many thousands of dollars in favor of Einstein.

Issues:
  • The ready beep could be louder
  • The spring-loaded grip arms that hold softboxes in place do not instill a lot of confidence, especially with big boxes, like a 40-inch x 60-inch.
Click to expand...
Excellent info! Just the kind I´m looking for, thanks.

By spring-loaded grip arms, do you mean the reflector bayonet mount, please? (I think it is the same mount as Balcar...)

David
 
Thanks for mentioning the design. I think PCB have been moving in the right direction, but I do agree there is simply no comparison of the looks with eg Profoto.

David
 
Since no one's mentioned. Buy the VML. You'll love it. Maybe buy two.

Compare the Cybersyncs to the Pocket Wizard Control TL system before you commit. Lots of PW videos out there. Take a look at them and see if it's something you'd be interested in.

As for the design of the lights, yes they're plastic. Buff -- like all manufacturers -- is looking at the best way to hit the best price point. As for large size modifiers, you may want to look for mount rings that have separate support (one example, every Mola larger than the Demi has the actual support attached to the ring -- not the flash.

--
'Nice pen, bet you write good stories with it.'
 
I think everyone has hit what I would say:

-Louder beep would be great (but having it is a big plus over a non-audible strobe)

-Better built, including a handle for the flash and stronger modifier attachment.

But the light really can't be beat for the price (unless you need a specific modifier).

The Cyber Commander is great in the studio. Not so great in bright light because you can't see the screen. The PW Flex system is GREAT. Disadvantage to the Flex, you only get a 6-stop range of adjustment. Usually not a big deal as the last 2-stops are very, very, low power. I also love that the PW MC 2 plugs right into the Einstein, no worries about batteries and it works with any PW, not just the Flex system.
 
Ditto on everything John just said....I own 5 of 'em and like the redesigned modifier (serraded teeth) grip as it holds my 86" PLM better than the original grip they shipped with early on, but still not as rock solid secure as I'd wish - but that is one big modifier too.

I wish there were a CyberCommander with a bigger display and some easier navigation to control the settings but it is amazing in its function - that will likely improve in future generations - an iPhone controller module would be downright awesome.

Bottom line, I sold off 6 expensive monolights for the 5 Einsteins, the CyberCommander, 86" soft silver PLM, white beauty dish and one VML (I want another!) - and I can't ever imagine getting a better bang for the buck not to mention the best service.

Regards,
Mike
 
Gotta be careful criticizing the buff stuff because the fanbois like to gang up on you and call you names.

The biggest complaint is that the grips are not very good. Not only do they not work well with big softboxes but they are prone to user-error. (This is the fanboi point). I have had softboxes slip off the buff lights and break flash tubes (this actually happened on the alienbees, not the einsteins). It happened 3 times. At least a couple times it was partially my fault because only 3 of the 4 fingers had gripped the mount. However, with the elinchrom, there is never any question of whether the accessory is mounted properly. It does not allow the user to make a mistake - a sign of a good mount.

That aside, I like the einsteins a lot and have periodically wished I went with those instead of the elinchrom. However, the cybercommander is a UI nightmare. Try using one of those outside in bright sunlight in an environment like a wedding where things are moving fast and you don't have time to think. The elinchrom remote is much easier to use. It allows you to go up and down with the power, select a group and/or all and a test button. Very simple. I don't even need to look at it. That is the big weakness of the buff commander. You DO have to look at it and if you have bad eyes or it's bright out, good luck.

Everything else about the einsteins are fabulous. If I ever switch I'd probably only use the commander in the studio and I'd use PW or something else on location and just live with manual power adjustment...
 
no, that's not it at all. The buff stuff is throwaway quality in terms of electronic construction. Unlike the photogenic for example which can be repaired. HOWEVER, because buff customer service is so great, I don't really think it matters if you are in north america. If you send it to buff for repair, what do you care if he swaps out the whole circuit vs. just replacing a couple capacitors or a sub-board.
CharlieDIY said:
DavidSvensson said:
Thanks for mentioning the design. I think PCB have been moving in the right direction, but I do agree there is simply no comparison of the looks with eg Profoto.
Click to expand...
I guess it depends on whether you want pretty or performance; I think the latter is what Buff is aiming at.

--
Charlie Self
http://www.charlieselfonline.com
Click to expand...
 
Nikonparrothead said:
Since no one's mentioned. Buy the VML. You'll love it. Maybe buy two.

Compare the Cybersyncs to the Pocket Wizard Control TL system before you commit. Lots of PW videos out there. Take a look at them and see if it's something you'd be interested in.

As for the design of the lights, yes they're plastic. Buff -- like all manufacturers -- is looking at the best way to hit the best price point. As for large size modifiers, you may want to look for mount rings that have separate support (one example, every Mola larger than the Demi has the actual support attached to the ring -- not the flash.
Click to expand...
The one problem with that is that now you're hanging a 5.75lb monolight off of the light modifier...Unless you buy a custom mount that can hold both the modifier and the monolight.
 
Oh, you reminded me of one other weakness though you just mentioned it as a strength. IMO, on a $500 light it ought to have the radio slave built-in. Elinchrom lights have the slave built in. It's so refreshing and saves a lot of time and hassle to just plug the light in without futzing around with the remote slave. Also, the connector on the buff slave is very fragile and the little foam they send it in is not sufficent to protect it. Also, if you ever have to place your light on the ground it's possible to bend/break the slave plug-in.
 
I understand some of the things people would like to change on the Einstein, but when it comes to the plastic case, I wonder how many people realize how strong the plastic case is.

I was doing a shoot out in the desert with my AB800 with the heavy 22" beauty dish mounted on it. I had the light up at a pretty steep angle from my model so it was probably about 10' in the air. I was using the old Vagabond II power supply instead of a sand bag to keep the light stand from blowing over because we did have some wind. However, we got one strong gust of wind that did blow the whole thing over, and the AB800 landed on its back with the beauty dish sitting on on top of it.

By the noise it made when it hit the ground, I assumed the plastic case would be completely smashed. However, the only thing that happened was the power cable plug was pushed into the case, and there wasn't even a crack in the case.

If I remember correctly, Alien Bees repaired the light for something like $30.
--
http://www.lawrence-nv.us
--
Lawrence
 
For a product sold to and used by the visually literate, their visual/industrial design is awful.

But they work.

BAK
 
i think they look great. Maybe it's your taste?
BAK said:
For a product sold to and used by the visually literate, their visual/industrial design is awful.

But they work.

BAK
Click to expand...
 
These units offer probably the best value of money. If your clients are ok with these you are in luck. In NYC, some of our clients ask for Profoto and Elinchrom by name.

Yasmin.
 
They are ugly, and not just superficially. The user interface is ridiculously complicated, it is not just the CyberCommander interface that is a mess. It is difficult to imagine how anyone could have designed a more complicated rear panel on something as simple as a monolight. Compare with Profoto or even Hensel – there is a two-sided instruction sheet with Hensel lights, and much of it is unnecessary.

The modifier attachment system has been mentioned. Buff should have come up with something better by now.

I haven’t seen mention of the modeling light yet. It is prone to overheating the light as a whole.

There is no handle and given the compact cubic design, that makes them difficult to maneuver when large modifiers are mounted. If the mount was better, you could use the modifier to manipulate them.

They are still good value here in the US. It is hard to beat factory direct pricing.

Brian A
 
Member said:
Try using one of those outside in bright sunlight in an environment like a wedding where things are moving fast and you don't have time to think. The elinchrom remote is much easier to use
Click to expand...
That would be were the PW Flex system is ideal. With one light all you need is a mini TT1 and you can control the Einstein from your camera (Nikon or Canon) using the camera's FEC. Add an AC 3 and you can control 3 groups with a simple dial. You can also use the mini TT1 with Elincrhrom lights!

I do agree that the UI of the Cyber Commander is quite cumbersome, but the Einstein UI is a piece of cake.
 
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