Photogenics or Alien Bees

[stephenpinn]

Not to further muddy the waters but before making a decision based on color temperature consistency I suggest that you review the charts at Paul C. Buff - Einstein E640. I know this is a Paul Buff website but if his data is erroneous no one is calling him on it so I tend to respect it. It appears that all of us who are using Einstein lights have nothing but praise for them. I use a mix of AB, WL and Einsteins and I will migrate to all Einstein over the year.

As a more mobile solution (expensive but I believe worth considering) are the QFlashes from Quantum (Quantum Instruments Inc.). I recently bought a pair and used them extensively this past weekend, they are an absolutely fantastic solution. Not only do they support both Nikon and Canon TTL protocols they have configurations that allow you to wirelessly use your existing speedlights (under TTL) with their Quantum flashes including HSS.

Output is slightly higher than speedlights for their shoe mounted product, about 1.5 stops faster for the Q series and a whopping 400ws for their QX series and (let me say it again) you can use your existing speedlights as part of your lighting architecture all under TTL control.

Quantum has several modes which are unique such as their FILL mode but I will let you read about that.

As Tom mentioned light shaping tools for Elinchrome abundant I dont think anyone has quite the variety that they have. Almost all vendors do, however, have adapters for AB lights (which includes Einstein). Light shaping for the Quantum lights are a little different and generally use any shaping device that will support speedlights, With the Quantum you can also use "bare bulb" lighting, something that is not available with most lights today, it produces a very, very soft bounce-like light, with some direction.

Einsteins and Quantum will be my direction for the next while.

What ever you pick I am sure you will be happy, very few of the well know manufacturers are producing crappy products and if they do the forums would/will be jumping with news.

Good luck in your choice

[ppcass]

I just bought 2 AB 800's, an AB1600 and an ABR800 Ringflash and love them. I haven't noticed any color shirt at all. Easy to use.

[StevenGWebb]

I'll jump in the mud. I bought a used Quantum T2 and a new Turbo 2X2 battery a couple of years ago. I specifically needed the flash output and the battery life (shooting horse shows). There are lots to like about the Quantum systems. The X series are capable to cranking out 400 WS. They do require a different battery than the T series. For doing studio lighting (modifiers like softboxes and such) the X series is plenty powerful. For use on a bracket (wedding receptions) the X could be over-powering at near distances. These systems are not inexpensive, nor or they cheap.

The standard reflectors on the flash heads are a nice size, about 6 inches. They do adjust for a wider beam spread. The reflector is removable which allows for true bare bulb flash (this is what Mr. Fong's famous modifier simulates) and there are additional modifiers available including a long-throw tele reflector. The flash tubes are also field replaceable.

The current production employees TTL capability for either Nikon or Canon with the purchase of an appropriate attachment. Previous models can be sent in and the current features updated at a reasonable price. For less than $250 I can have my old T2 (which has the same output as the current model, by the way) essentially brought up to the current T5dR (5 is the generation, "d" is digital designation and "r" is rationally proportional [using TTL and groups of flash]. However, for my purposes, the update is not particularly a must-have and in two years of use, I've not regretted the absence. Should I later add more Q-Flash I'll do the update. It's a refreshing thing that a company is interested in keeping a customer using the equipment they've already invested in than constantly making a new product that obsoletes last year's issue.

One quality feature of the Quantum system is the auto-thyristor "Auto" circuitry. Manual operation is fine when constant output is desired. In Auto, the ISO and f-stop are matched (done automatically when the TTL attachment is being used) with the camera and the results are fantastic. Sometimes, the flash's auto produces more consistent results than the camera's TTL system (also factoring the experience level of the photographer in setting the metering for the camera).

I put the Q-Flash on an umbrella adapter, swing the flash "backward" so the sensor faces the subject, set the desired f-stop and fire it remotely with a pocket wizard. Super simple and quite reliable.

There are a lot of additional bells and whistles that can be added. The wireless remotes and controls are interesting additions and it appears the system "plays well" with adding Nikon CLS flash to the set-up.

I've not heard major disputes between what Quantum says their equipment can do and what it will do. If I continue to buy into the Quantum system I will buy used older gear and send it in for the upgrades/updates. Until it makes me enough money to dive into the new stuff. Besides, I find the older units to be more robust than the new ones.

How's that for mud?

Steve

[DigMe]

Originally Posted by stephenpinn

I know this is a Paul Buff website but if his data is erroneous no one is calling him on it so I tend to respect it.

He actually got into a big fight about it on Fred Miranda that resulted in him getting banned. That's not a statement about the product just something that happened. I'd love to have soem Einsteins personally!

brad

[stephenpinn]

Thanks for the information Brad

[brewercm]

I've heard nothing but praise for the Einstein series myself. I just happened to come across this deal and just couldn't pass it up. The PL2500DR is of course their newer model and looks brand new, but even the older PL1500Rs look brand new. His equipment was well taken care of.

As a bonus he also had a couple rolls of seamless paper (white and black) that I picked up. My bank account is happy that he had already sold all his Hassy stuff.

[brewercm]

There is also a great study out somewhere where somebody ran some out the Photogenics flashes on the Vagabond mini and how well they worked together which was great news.


Here is a picture of the flashes. Everything else was in just as good condition.

[stephenpinn]

congrats, many happy flashes!!

[PhotoByLeal]

AWESOME light and it sounds like you got a KILLER DEAL!!!
I love my Photogenic lights!!!!

later.....

[StevenGWebb]

Congratulations. You've got some good stuff there. Hope it serves you well for a long, long time.