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p.4 #9 · p.4 #9 · Einstein E640 + Vagabond Mini vs. Rovelight vs. Interfit S1 | |
jzucker wrote:
You don't need a vagabond for each einstein you have. My einsteins were $499, $100 more than your lights and I can use them in studio or on location. With the size stand I take on location, i'm not going to risk a heavier light up on a boom. You also have to factor in the prices of the light stands necessary to hold the heavier lights. I already have a pair of vagabonds so when I bought my 3 additional einsteins - giving me 5 total - I didn't spend $800 each. That's flawed logic you're using for the comparison.
And frankly, the einsteins have been rock solid. Have never failed. Neither have the vagabonds. Maybe adorama is providing great service, i dunno but I'd rather trust a manufacturer with a track record as opposed to a photography store when it comes to servicing and supporting the lights.
And looking at the transmitter, I'm not seeing how you can turn on and off your lights. I can remotely control every parameter of up to 16 einsteins. I use the feature all the time.
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Andrew Pece Photography wrote:
Yeah, everyone shoots different. For me I have a camera mounted on a tripod and my rovelight and I move around homes. I can carry it all in one trip one shot to the next. A cable would just be an absolute monstrosity of a problem.
My understanding, you get a vagabond and a Einstein and you're in the hole 900 before shipping. That's two rovelights and one nice cstand. So you'd have an onsite backup, and a stand at the same price.
This Chinese vs USA argument has been around a while. I remember when pocket wizards were untouchable for years. Along came the cheap yongnuo alternatives. I was curious so I bought the yn 602 and a backup set, which was a grand total of 60 dollars for the two sets! I'm still using that first set of rf 602 10 years later... Or however long it's been since they came out I forget, and they never fail. And I have had the backup set as insurance the whole time. And now, guess what, pocket wizards are much cheaper. Not only that, there are reports of yongnuos beating pw in range tests.There is a good one in YouTube actually. And, there are many professionals I know of that use the yongnuo stuff because of its reliability. Same with my rovelight so far. I use it 3 to 4 days a week for the last 5 or 6 months without a single problem except for having to use my yongnuo stuff with it, which I actually like/need because the range on those triggers is so good and I need to go through multiple walls all the time.
Anyway, nobody is arguing einsteins aren't great in studio. I saw reliability brought up and happen to think for the price, the rove gives you an onsite, professionally backed up alternative, at the same price. That's much more reliable than having to wait for a service department to repair something for you. ...Show more →
I think all three of us are subconsciously trying to justify our purchases of the light we went with, when each clearly has it's own set of advantages and disadvantages. I don't think any of us have extensively compared both lights but that comparison has been made by several others I've spoken to and the results seem pretty clear.
The following is based only on what I have heard from those who have used both the Einstein + Vagabond and Rovelight.
-Both lights are very well made. "USA vs. China" is not relevant here.
-The Rovelight has had very few reported problems besides the V1 trigger issues. The V2 trigger works flawlessly in all cases I've seen but one.
-Service for both lights is excellent.
-Having cords and a battery pack is not that much of a hassle but those who have done both without question state that it is "easier" not having cords and a battery pack (no surprise here really). The weight difference at the top of the stand is also not significant. Obviously less is always ideal but if your light stand can handle 4.5lbs then 5.5lbs shouldn't be a deal breaker. I mounted the Rovelight + 4lb parabolic softbox on one of the cheapest lightstands available (2.5lb StudioPro stands with a 5/8" aluminum stem and no weight rating). Profoto B1's are some of the most, if not the most, popular on location strobes available, weighing in at 6.61lbs.
-For Studio use the Einstein is clearly better. More power, a built-in fan, MUCH more powerful modeling light, and better color accuracy/consistency shot to shot from the only test I've seen. Recycle time is also much faster when plugged in than the Rovelight which can only use battery with so-so recycle time. Also, more support for third party devices like the excellent Cyber Commander. Battery life is similar on both at 400-500 shots at full power.
-My understanding is that the modeling light on the Einstein is unusable with the Vagabond as it drains the battery extremely quickly. The RL's is significantly less powerful but I have used it for over an hour, while taking several (100+) high output photos and didn't even put a dent in the battery.
-Pricing: The Einstein + Vagabond Mini is $758.37 shipped. Very close to twice the price of the Rovelight. This is notably significant, the current RL pricing is simply insane for what you're getting. PCB never has sales (I asked) and charges for shipping. The "backup for the same price" argument is very close to being valid. In my case the money saved allowed me to get a high quality lightstand, modifier, and HSS trigger. While having the Vagabond for things like laptops, a second Einstein, etc. is intriguing, this just means more cords and more power drain, not what I'm looking for in a "run and gun" strobe.
-Both are excellent lights. The RL is a designated on location strobe that can do a decent job as a studio light. The Einstein is a studio strobe that can do a decent job as an on location strobe.
One last thing that I don't think was mentioned is the Rovelight replacement batteries are only $150 shipped, are extremely small/portable, and can be swapped out instantly. $550 total for 1,000-5,000+ on location shots. Insane.
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