I'm dumping all my Speedotron gear for AlienBees. Have a gig coming up and need to purchase ASAP.
I'm buying:
(2) Einstein
(1) 1600w AlienBee
I didn't use wireless triggers with my Speedos, but want to with the new gear. Are the wireless units built-in, or do I need something extra? I'll need something for my camera body, too.
What do I need to shoot out of the box, wirelessly?
The obvious choice to is to stick with the PCB triggers, their Cybersync line. The website has all the info you need but basically nothing is built in, its all added but the Einsteins come close since their module plugs in and you get an integrated package which is darned close to built in.
You can use any other trigger you want as well. Pocket Wizard does support the PCB lights with an integrated system that also controls light output but its more expensive. Then there are any of the regular PW triggers, Yongnuo, Phottix, etc. which will use the sync jack on the lights. The easiest might just be the PCB stuff though. You have to decide. I know PCB's tech support is pretty good at answering questions - give em a call.
Wasn't about saving the money but rather having a little more power when needed. With the speedos I shot a lot of subjects with the key light between 800 and 2000Ws.
Don't want to forfeit the option. Two Einsteins are sufficient for me.
"1600" goes back to when Paul was marketing his strobes using the dubious "effective watt seconds" scam, something he quit doing...and started deriding other manufacurers for doing.
You/they should be fine on the change ... for two reasons.
1) They are very customer service oriented.
2) Weekend orders have a strong backlog and unless you opted for priority/air shipment your orders (iirc) will be in queue along with masses that went for routine shipping.
3) Even if you didn't get the order changed ... they would still accept the return no problems (just incurs the extra shipping unnecessarily).
Also, don't be surprised if it doesn't ship out for a couple days. The aren't exactly as expedient as Amazon.com or B&H when it comes to weekend fulfillment ... they actually are not there till Monday morning to get started on the weekend orders (in queue), but they are still very diligent about taking care of things.
As to the triggers, I'm going with JrX RadioPopper and the studio transmitter ... but haven't gotten my receivers ordered yet, so I can't speak to how they work (although others have spoken well of it). But then again, I don't have the Einsteins (which have their own system option), so you may just want to stick with the PCB stuff. Particularly if you are going to be basically dedicated studio, you may like the CyberCommander to adjust your lights independently from camera location in addition to just triggering them. I've got a mix of lights, so having the JrX system will give me some flexibility that you won't necessarily need.
BTW ... if you want more "pop" than the Einstein, the White Lightning X3200 is double (1320 Ws) that of the Einstein. I've got an X1600 which is the same output as the Einstein. While the Einsteins have the IGBT circuitry, the X1600 & X3200 series has a neat little feature with a button that makes the monolight act more like a pack @ 1/4 reduced power for faster flash duration even though it isn't IGBT circuitry. Probably not a critical factor for you, but just thought I'd mention the X3200 for the greater power, if that is of any interest.
http://www.paulcbuff.com/x3200.php
You don't hear a lot about the WL's since the Einstein came on the scene, but for more raw power, it is an option.
I have CyberSync™ Transceivers on my Einsteins and have the Cyber Commander™ for triggering them. I usually use mine at wedding receptions and like to have on-cam flash (bounced) for fill and focus assist-- the Cyber Commander™ is on a lanyard around my neck so I can adjust power remotely. I use Phottix Strato II triggers in this situation. When I don't need on-cam flash I put the Cyber Commander™ on cam. The menus (usability) on the Cyber Commander™ are a bit non-intuitive (at least for me).
RustyBug wrote:
As to the triggers, I'm going with JrX RadioPopper and the studio transmitter.
Rusty, FYI, the JrX won't remote control power on an Einstein.
Skarkowtsky wrote:
Wasn't about saving the money but rather having a little more power when needed. With the speedos I shot a lot of subjects with the key light between 800 and 2000Ws.
What in the world are you shooting w/ that much power?? :-O
And what f/stop ISO/distance/modifiers?
You do know the Einstein is only 640WS right? But claimed power doesn't matter as much as the actual lightmeter reading...
kenyee wrote:
Rusty, FYI, the JrX won't remote control power on an Einstein.
+1
I was referring to the PCB CyberCommander for remotely controlling Einstein power. I'm using the X1600 & B400, so the JrX radiopopper studio receivers are designed for them (with phone jack), while the Einstein isn't so equipped (from what I can tell).
I shoot between f22 and f29, ISO 100. My work is shadow-dependent, and my sets are very up-close and tight. However, I think the Einsteins will do nicely.
