jim quist Loc: Missouri

I bought a couple of the Einstein lights with remotes about a year ago and haven't used them yet. Was thinking about ordering a couple more with the remotes and portable batteries to finish the set, then Paul Buff announces this:

https://www.paulcbuff.com/LINK-Flash-Unit.html?fbclid=IwAR3L0bs-LOH6SlPvcBh4kivn8eV_Eo6Q_2tcP1Uux4oEUhHh3bBY6Y2O2KY

You can attach a rechargeable battery onto the unit for 250 full power flashes per charge.
And it has TTL capabilities for Canon and Nikon.

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

I Think for $895.00 (The Battery and Charger are sold separately) you could do better. I always liked the Einsteins, and the AlienBees as well. No problems with them, and the customer service from Buff was top notch. But still..... $900. ($1,200 with the Battery, Charger, and Remote) I'd wait till the bugs are out of the system.

Although I wonder what the "Hub Remote is going to be. Will it be CyberCommander like? I've switched to Godox, other than being a little less powerful, it seems to be everything the PCB light is.

JMHO

-Gary

Haydon

P.C.Buff's strength is their customer service. I've periodically had to call them for several of my Einsteins and they've been extremely attentive. IMO their customer service remains unrivaled. One of the weaknesses with the Einstein which is tangible to this newly designed light is their clip on domes. They should be built right into the light. Guaranteed if they are held with spring clips which it appears they do, you will be ordering domes. In the last three years I've been forced to order four of them. I do know how to mount modifiers correctly. The light heats up making the pyrex domes become warm and even with a minimal distance of falling from mounting and dismounting a modifier they will turn to dust once they hit a surface.

I'm also not sold on the Balcar mounting system. The modifiers are held by spring clips which can compromise the fixation to the monolight and fall. Try one of the 60" Octaboxes and you will know the clips are stressed. Buff's modifiers are extremely well made but they come at the expense of being heavy.

I much prefer a Bowens mount that slides, turns and locks into place.

For outdoor work I've been using a Flashpoint AD600 Pro which comes with a battery and charger. The dome is built into the front of the bulb. Admittedly it's not as strong as this first rendition Buff light but I can get 350 shots out of one charge. I'm keeping my Einstein's for indoor work exclusively despite having a vagabond pack.

This is a great start for Buff lights and as I said, their customer service remains unrivaled but the Flashpoint/Godox line works better in outdoor work in my opinion. The Flashpoint AD600 Pro is in it's second refinement. The Bowens mount modifiers are very reasonably priced. Keep your eye on Adorama. They periodically have deals with the Flashpoint. I'd also recommend buying from Adorama for the Godox line. Flashpoint is Adororma's version of Godox. They have excellent customer service. Last year I got a killer deal on an AD600 Pro, 38" Parapop Octabox, a Flashpoint C-Stand, remote and ring light.

One last advantage, Godox offers more remotes to different manufacturers and there is talk about a universal remote in the works that will be multi-purpose with many brands.

CO

I have two Paul C. Buff DigiBee DB-800 strobes. I had no idea they came out with the new LINK flash unit.

Since you already have the Einstein strobes why don't you get the P.C.B. Vagabond Mini Lithium rechargeable pack? I used one before for an outdoor photo shoot. I took a few hundred shots and it was still going strong.

You have two strobes that you haven't used yet but you want to get more? What do you light with so many strobes?

Haydon

Maybe he's looking at HSS CO...which in prior models have been absent. Some don't like using GND filters to shoot wide open in harsh light without that feature. That's one of the reasons I jumped on the AD 600 Pro.

CO

It sounded like he was considering it because it has the optional battery pack and for its TTL capability. If the battery pack is the main reason, I would recommend getting their Vagabond rechargeable pack since he already has the Einsteins.

These are the two reasons he stated:
"You can attach a rechargeable battery onto the unit for 250 full power flashes per charge.
And it has TTL capabilities for Canon and Nikon"

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

There's no Doubt in my mind that PCB has very good equipment, its just they've been behind the curve with things like HSS, Built in Radios, and Built in Batteries, compared to companies like Godox. Haydon is also correct that the Balcar mount is less than desirable (but mostly usable) I also don't mean to imply that Godox is a viable alternative to Profoto either. Each system has its place. For PCB, The vagabond mini is certainly great for portability, but if you set up 2 or 3 lights outdoors, you have cords all over the place creating a trip hazard. Plus it takes time to set it all up. So much easier to Mount a AD600 and turn it on. Lots of alternatives, and if I were in Jim place I don't know which direction I'd go. I'd probably dump all my PCB Stuff and go with Godox honestly.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

hardcore PB Alien bee user...
Did recently discover that the AB1600 set at 1/32 power requires 1/200 sync (1/250 will cause a slight darkening to the camera right side of the frame)... only reason I notice this was doing High Key background.

Believe it has something to do with the T1 verses T5 duration...
I could care less actually just a heads up to test your rig BEFORE you shoot High Key...
No issues with the AB800

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I have been using the White Lightings with the Vagabond batteries for several years. Two of my lights have been in for repair, (Buff fixed them for $50.00. talk about amazing). I use them for location work. Last year I bought a couple of the Einsteins for in-house work, and haven't gotten around to using them yet. The reason I am thinking about ordering these new lights from Buff is that I like the idea of a battery that attaches directly to the light, and the TTL capabilities.

CO

You haven't even used the new Einsteins yet but you want to buy even more strobes?

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I like studio lights and modifiers. You can never have enough of them.

domcomm Loc: Denver, CO

I got a set of 4 White Lightning "coffee can" studio flash units back in 1981 soon after they first came out. They still work great today, after 38 years of hard work I put them through. The company has always been very helful. The only time one went out on me, they sent a replacement before I even sent the bad one back. Now that's something you don't find happening very often!

DVZ Loc: Littleton CO

I have had 2 AB800's for a number of years and use them almost exclusively with the Vagabond battery. I needed a couple more strobes and I went with the Interfit S1N strobes that have the built-in battery, TTL and HSS. I haven't needed to used TTL or HSS yet. There is a convenience to having the battery built into the head but one of the things I like about the AB800 and Vegabond combination is that the head remains very light and I mount the battery down low on the light stand adding ballast. I control the Interfits with their remote and fire the AB's with their built-in optical trigger, I hardly ever experience miss-fires.

I like the fact the PC Buff lights are still made in America and it's a good old fashion, have a good idea, work hard, success story. The advantage of staying with the same brand is they use the same remote or you would hope, although the Cyber Commandor seems overly complicated if you're setting up and shooting in a hurry. As with everything you'd better practice at home and get it down pat before you take your show on the road. When I talk to my wife about buying something she's usually OK with it as long as I use it if I buy it.

Haydon

You might want to check their modifiers. I have a Buff 10x36 strip box and it has a made in China label on it. Also if you see the new Battery Powered Strobe ($895.95), it has a label on the bottom that says Made In China.

DVZ Loc: Littleton CO

Well, I guess times have changed. Years ago when I bought my AB800's they made a point of it on their website that their heads were built in Tennessee and it's printed right on the back control panel label.