Alien Bees CyberSync Transmitter

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Archive 2008 · Alien Bees CyberSync Transmitter

PhotoGuy76
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p.1 #1 · Alien Bees CyberSync Transmitter

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone had experience with the AB CyberSync Transmitter and Receiver and the 4-Channel Controller. If so, how do these rate compared to other transmitters? Which would you recommend?

Thanks in advance.

May 28, 2008 at 02:49 PM

Paul Buff
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p.1 #2 · Alien Bees CyberSync Transmitter

These are different products. The CyberSyncs just started shipping and are wireless trippers. The four channel remote (LG4X) is a wired remote controller of power levels, etc. The two products can be used together, the the CyberSync tripping all lights connected to the LG4X with a single receivers.

May 28, 2008 at 04:08 PM

PhotoGuy76
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p.1 #3 · Alien Bees CyberSync Transmitter

A response from "the" Paul Buff?

I understand that the Transmitter is different from the Controller, but they can work together if so desired.

I am curious however to find out how they compare to other wireless/radio trippers/transmitters and receivers. For one, there is a huge disparity in price (not always a bad thing), but wondering if anyone actually has had experience with them.

May 28, 2008 at 04:16 PM

Paul Buff
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p.1 #4 · Alien Bees CyberSync Transmitter

I can't post links or promote products here according to the forum rules. There is plenty of discussion of these on our forum and websites at paulcbuff.com.

They just began to ship last Friday.

May 28, 2008 at 07:10 PM

cwebster
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p.1 #5 · Alien Bees CyberSync Transmitter

You can't use the Cybersync to control the power of the strobe, you can just trigger the strobes with it. As Paul says, you can transmit wirelessly from the camera to the LG4X which is then connected by wire to the strobes.

I figure that since I already have one wire running to the camera for tethered shooting, that another isn't a big deal. But the LG4X is a huge deal because I don't have to climb a ladder to adjust the power setting of the light on the boom, and I don't have to climb through a forest of stands to turn on/off one strobe.

What I'd like to see from PCB is a wireless version of the LG4X that is controlled by software from my studio laptop, and triggered by a CyberSync transmitter on the camera.

<Chas>

May 29, 2008 at 12:02 AM

Paul Buff
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p.1 #6 · Alien Bees CyberSync Transmitter

cwebster wrote:
You can't use the Cybersync to control the power of the strobe, you can just trigger the strobes with it. As Paul says, you can transmit wirelessly from the camera to the LG4X which is then connected by wire to the strobes.

I figure that since I already have one wire running to the camera for tethered shooting, that another isn't a big deal. But the LG4X is a huge deal because I don't have to climb a ladder to adjust the power setting of the light on the boom, and I don't have to climb through a forest of stands to turn on/off one strobe.

What I'd like to see from PCB is a wireless version of the LG4X that is controlled by software from my studio laptop, and triggered by a CyberSync transmitter on the camera.

<Chas>

You obviously haven't heard of Cyber Commander - coming this fall. It's all over our forum. I'll let someone else post the links so Fred doesn't chastise me.

May 29, 2008 at 03:15 AM

cwebster
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p.1 #7 · Alien Bees CyberSync Transmitter

Nice!

<Chas>

May 29, 2008 at 05:41 AM

dmward
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p.1 #8 · Alien Bees CyberSync Transmitter

Here are two links to threads on the Paul Buff forum that will answer most questions about the new Transmitter/Receiver products they are just beginning to ship.

I have some pre-ordered and expect them within a week based on how quickly they are clearing the pre-order backlog.

http://www.paulcbuff.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5495

http://www.paulcbuff.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4541

One nice feature of the Plus model, due out in the fall, is that it will plug into the light via the RJ-14 connector to provide the control now available from the wired remote.

I like my remote for exactly the reasons mentioned and the new receivers will be a great benefit.

May 29, 2008 at 11:44 AM

Zuazua
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p.1 #9 · Alien Bees CyberSync Transmitter

which one to buy for Canon 550EX, some Sunpak 422's and a Sigma EF 500 DG Super?

Feb 17, 2009 at 07:41 PM

PhotoGuy76
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p.1 #10 · Alien Bees CyberSync Transmitter

If you want my honest opinion, skip Paul Buff's stuff and invest your money in Pocket Wizard. Yes, Paul's stuff is cheaper (I know, because I bought 4 units for my monos), and they work well enough for what you pay for, but the plugs are crap. They came apart INSIDE my lights and I had to dismantle my lights to get them out and then couldn't believe the quality they were made of. Pocket Wizard has some awesome new products out as well, and yes, they are more expensive, but as with everything in life, you get what you pay for.

Oh, they have an awesome shoe for the Canon series.

Feb 17, 2009 at 10:25 PM

bacilonur
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p.1 #11 · Alien Bees CyberSync Transmitter

PhotoGuy76 wrote:
If you want my honest opinion, skip Paul Buff's stuff and invest your money in Pocket Wizard. Yes, Paul's stuff is cheaper (I know, because I bought 4 units for my monos), and they work well enough for what you pay for, but the plugs are crap. They came apart INSIDE my lights and I had to dismantle my lights to get them out and then couldn't believe the quality they were made of. Pocket Wizard has some awesome new products out as well, and yes, they are more expensive, but as with everything in life, you get what you pay for.

Oh, they have an awesome shoe for the Canon series.

Wait, what? You're complaining about the included cables that Paramount will charge you $20+ for? Get real. PWs are great, but do the math, they're in a completely separate price stratosphere. The new ones have some great features in theory, but Cybersyncs are good, reliable triggers at a fantastic price, and they're tried and tested. I have a few of ABs' 13' stands and one of them had the locking mechanism from coming apart, and they shipped me a brand new collar for free. PWs aren't perfect, and if you need MAC to work on them, have fun paying half of MSRP for repairs.

Feb 17, 2009 at 11:32 PM

Beni
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p.1 #12 · Alien Bees CyberSync Transmitter

The Commander was supposed to be out at the end of 2008, now it's end of 2009, I gave up even thinking about it, going the RP or PW route.

Feb 18, 2009 at 07:00 AM

PeterBerressem
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p.1 #13 · Alien Bees CyberSync Transmitter

Beni wrote:
The Commander was supposed to be out at the end of 2008, now it's end of 2009

In our dimension it's still February, not even springtime of 2009... ;-))

Feb 18, 2009 at 01:06 PM

Paul Buff
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p.1 #14 · Alien Bees CyberSync Transmitter

It's still winter and we're working our butts off. You don't want it 'til it's ready. My shoes have 20 feet in them right now - I can only work 16 hours a day 7 days a week. I can predict my work and pace but not that of my consultants.

Feb 18, 2009 at 09:05 PM


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