Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Does anyone use the Cyber Commander? I'm particularly interested in how that unit functions as a flash meter. Is it good enough to NOT purchase an additional flash meter

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

I do not find it quite as intuitive as my Sekonic, but yes, it works and if you are only going to measure the Buff units and are willing to work through its sorta quirky operation it does fine. For the price and the ability to fire and meter from the one device, it is pretty cool.

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

Cyber commander Meter is for lights...not a subject meter..unless it has some functionality I have never used. (corrected ...there is a subject meter on the back of the commander)
I have a sekonic as well. When I do a new setup I may meter with my sekonic but not usually. Normally I use the cyber commander in my hand and just have the smaller transmitter on my camera. I then adjust my lights using the cyber commander in hand making adjustments to get th exposure I want. Using this method you can dial your lights in based on what you see without going to the top of you camera. I call this method dialing in. For me it is just as fast as using my sekonic to meter and then backing off the exposure of the lights to go creative. If you want to start from a technically correct exposure and work to a creative setting you can use a sekonic or other subject meter. Many people prefer this method.
The biggest disadvantage of the cyber commander in my view is you can't mix other types of flash with the system(outside of the Buff stuff). You can use pocket wizard receivers but that can get expensive. Unless you're already invested.
I have six Einstein heads so I don't need to mix other lights. The cyber commander also can't control and meter other lights that are not digital.
The system is really suited for the Einstein heads.
If you don't want to go Einstein and just use alien bees the pocket wizards may be a better alternative. If you're going to drop the dough on Einstein heads I believe it is you best choice.

One other note.
Several of the sekonic meters have a module that you can get that will trigger any flash head controlled by The pocket wizard system. The problem is that they don't work with the cyber commander. When I meter I carry the sekonic in one hand and the cyber commander in the other. I trigger the test flash with the cyber commander. Then go to my camera to go creative.
My normal operation is to stay behind my camera with my subject in place and dial my lights in like I want with my cyber commander in my hand. I shoot tethered in studio so I see what is happening on my screen.
Using this method I have found the triggering and control of my lights to be flawless.
By having the small transmitter and the cyber commander I have a backup in case one of them fails. If the small transmitter fails I just move the cyber commander to the hot shoe. If the cyber commander fails I just go to my Einstein heads and adjust them manually. I have had my batteries in each unit run out at least once.

Best regards
Russ

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

Cliff,
Do let me know if I can use it to get a meter reading for my lights by placing the commander on my subjects nose.
I was not aware that they could do that.

I found it. A video for the meter on the back of the cyber commander.

Learn something everyday. To think I have used the system for three years and did not know that.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf2yajyDbmE

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Thanks CaptianC, that's about what I expected. Its encouraging to hear that besides the quirks, it functions. I'm not using PW Triggers, so I suspect a Sekonic meter wont fire the Buffs. I appreciate you're feedback, looks like the Cyber Commander might be worth looking into. Thanks again.

-Gary

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Russ,

Thanks for your response. With your input, and Cliffs response, I think I'm going to pull the trigger on a Cyber Commander. The only thing that confuses me is you make it sound like the full features of the Cyber Commander are only available with the Einsteins. I thought I could do the same with Alienbees & White Lightnings triggered with the CyberSync + receivers. Is that not the case?

Also, thanks for the video link, it was.... ummm Interesting!

-Gary

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

The Cyber Commander CAN fire Buff units other than the Einsteins, but only as a dumb trigger - you cannot set the output on those as you can with the Einstein units. You need to order the receiver and cord that plugs into the appropriate units - Bees are different than White Lightning, for example.

That is not a bad thing, just a limitation.

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Looking at the online PDF for the Cyber Commander, it eludes to the fact that you can control the Modeling Lamp and Flash Power of Any Bee, or White Lightning with the CSR+ or CSRB+ receiver. Although you probably cant turn other features off/on (like tracking), if I can adjust the modeling lamp, and flash power, AND get a flash meter out of the deal, it STILL doesn't sound bad.

The Problem is; I'm reading this manual like a legal contract, looking for some hidden verbiage making me think I'm getting something I'm not.

To clarify, you're saying I cant control output or Modeling Lamp intensity with a bee & white lightning providing each has its own CSRB+ Receiver ?

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

I'm going to defer to Cliff on this one. I only use the einsteins but have used bees with the pocket wizard on occasion. I was aware of the external triggers for the other units. I do believe the cyber commander system is more ideally suited for the einsteins. Digital fstop readings on the einsteins will match the meter on the cyber commander. Alien bees are analog and cheaper.
Einsteins are more versatile. In the right mode the einsteins have a very short flash duration. I have used that functionality on a few occasions to freeze motion that is very fast. This functionality was unique to einsteins at the Einstein price.
I would be curios as to wether the commander can adjust the lights on the alien bees as well. Doesn't seem like it would work. The bees from my recollection have an analog dial for adjustments. It's been a while....
Like Cliff said, the commander can trigger them to fire.

For me I don't like moving all over the place when I'm doing a shoot. I want to stay behind my camera with a laptop beside me.
Movement is time and time is money. For most it's probably better to take the time to try and learn how things work. Aka using a light meter. A lot of people spend a lot of money and don't want to take the time to learn how to make a quality image. Making a quality image can be done with cheaper equipment. Light is light no matter what your source. Power of the light output can give you more flexibility on occasion. Light modifiers are more important than the light generator.
I have made a lot of mistakes buying equipment that I did not end up using.
The einsteins and the cyber commander are not one of my mistakes.
I do own most all of the buff modifiers but that is yet another story.

Best of luck

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Thanks for your input Russ, I sympathize with your regret on previous purchases, we've all been there I suppose. I guess I'm preaching to the choir though? I think maybe I'll call Buff and find out for sure the limitations. Too bad Paul passed away, it would have been just as easy to post a question to him over at Fred Miranda's site.

Thanks again,
-Gary