Einstein 640 review, part 1

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Archive 2010 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

bacilonur
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p.2 #1 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

From scrolling through the power options, it looks like the best all-round choice in Action mode is -4f (40ws). 10,400 t.1 and 6350k. From there it evens off to 11,000 at -5 (20ws), 11,700 at -6 (10ws), and 12,500 at -7(5ws).

One possible plus to Action mode during the day is you can enhance your sunset sky without gels.

Apr 14, 2010 at 03:16 PM

conradicus
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p.2 #2 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

bacilonur wrote:
Yeah, I'm a huge ardy nerd.

That's awesome! I love it.

Apr 14, 2010 at 03:17 PM

c2thew
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p.2 #3 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

wow, this was a very informative test, props to your hard work and for the numerous water balloons that made this possible!

i'm wondering though, how did you trigger the explosions while both hands were busy?

Also, does the color temperature stay at 6350 degrees throughout the range or are there indicators of what color temperature you should be shooting at in each relative w/s output? i didn't quite understand whether the color temperature consistency of +/- 50 degrees meant that the color temperature was fixed at a certain kelvin rating or was consistent at each power stop.

eidt* oops, didn't catch the assistant part.

Edited on Apr 14, 2010 at 03:45 PM · View previous versions

Apr 14, 2010 at 03:42 PM

Mike Yamin
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p.2 #4 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

He said he used an assistant.

Apr 14, 2010 at 03:44 PM

bacilonur
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p.2 #5 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

I used Color mode, so each of those shots has (theoretically) the exact same WB of 5600k.

In Action mode, you can see on the back of the Einstein or Cybercommander what the temperature will be. Here's what the back of my Einstein says for the color temp in Action mode:

Full: 5600k (1/560 t.1)
-1: 5750k (1/2000 t.1)
-2: 5950k (1/3500 t.1)
-3: 6150k (1/6000 t.1)
-4: 6350k (1/10,400 t.1)
-5: 6450k (1/11,000 t.1)

From there it stays at 6450-6400k down to 2.5ws.

Apr 14, 2010 at 04:00 PM

KrautFed
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p.2 #6 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

action mode test photos... or be banned

Apr 14, 2010 at 06:22 PM

bacilonur
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p.2 #7 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Sure, just let me know where I can send the bill for my hourly rate.

Apr 14, 2010 at 07:12 PM

brett maxwell
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p.2 #8 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

any thoughts (and/or pictures) on the CSXCV Transceiver?

Apr 14, 2010 at 09:10 PM

Paul Buff
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p.2 #9 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Don't let the color temperature changes in Action Mode scare you. The same happens with speedlights and $10,000 Euro packs with IGBTs. Remember, natural light varies from around 5000K to 10,000°K and there is no display of what it is. So when you need to really stop action, use Action Mode and either set your camera for the displayed color temp or shot RAW and adjust it.

Also, if you look at the color on the arms and water in baclionur's shots you can see the constant color and lack of shift between power levels.

Thanks for the tests baclionur. Rob Galbraith will probably post spinning wheel tests which are much easier to do far more definitive. I have done spinning wheel tests myself but don't like to challenge forum rules by posting them. I'll get some on our website pretty soon - I have more projects each day and little time.

Apr 14, 2010 at 09:15 PM

bacilonur
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p.2 #10 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Alright, spinning dremel results are up for all you measurebators.

I really shouldn't be doing this for free. I hope no one tries reading it on an iPhone or netbook

Apr 14, 2010 at 11:56 PM

tetrode
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p.2 #11 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

bacilonur wrote:
Alright, spinning dremel results are up for all you measurebators.

I really shouldn't be doing this for free. I hope no one tries reading it on an iPhone or netbook

But have you tried the Einstein with one of your Pelican packs yet? I'm dying to know if it works.

Dave F.

Apr 15, 2010 at 01:40 AM

brett maxwell
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p.2 #12 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

tetrode wrote:
But have you tried the Einstein with one of your Pelican packs yet? I'm dying to know if it works.

Dave F.

I'd like to know as well, as I made one also and have an Einstein on pre-order.

Apr 15, 2010 at 01:57 AM

bacilonur
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p.2 #13 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Sorry Dave, I added it now

Apr 15, 2010 at 02:37 AM

tetrode
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p.2 #14 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

bacilonur wrote:
Sorry Dave, I added it now

You're a prince!

Dave F.

Apr 15, 2010 at 03:34 AM

NYC to Miami
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p.2 #15 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Gabe, you're the man!!! Thanks for such an amazing review! I'm really looking forward to getting my units now

Apr 15, 2010 at 06:33 AM

Deezie
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p.2 #16 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

bacilonur,

Are those the old AB 7" reflectors that you're using on the Einsteins lights?

Apr 15, 2010 at 01:56 PM

kenyee
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p.2 #17 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

...thanks for the dremel pics, bacilonur. I was expecting to see the snail flung off by the dremel after a few pictures because it seemed to be crawling towards the tip

And thanks for the Pelican vagabond test...glad to hear it's not affected by brownouts.

Apr 15, 2010 at 02:06 PM

MauriceBlair
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p.2 #18 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Paul Buff wrote:
Don't let the color temperature changes in Action Mode scare you. The same happens with speedlights and $10,000 Euro packs with IGBTs. Remember, natural light varies from around 5000K to 10,000°K and there is no display of what it is. So when you need to really stop action, use Action Mode and either set your camera for the displayed color temp or shot RAW and adjust it.

Also, if you look at the color on the arms and water in baclionur's shots you can see the constant color and lack of shift between power levels.

Thanks for the tests baclionur. Rob Galbraith will probably post spinning wheel tests which are much easier to do far more definitive. I have done spinning wheel tests myself but don't like to challenge forum rules by posting them. I'll get some on our website pretty soon - I have more projects each day and little time.

The only "euro" pack I know in that price range is the Broncolor Scoro, but unlike what you mention, it does control the color temp and flash duration at once. And it does much more too (including delivering 3200ws - but there is a lower ws much cheaper too unless $2k is nothing to you).

They use what they call ECTC technology (Enhanced Colour Temperature Control).
"Flash duration and energy automatically regulated for optimum colour temperature" - from the manufacturer on the product's PDF available on their site.

You can also overwrite the color temp control manually and adjust for your old boxes that shifted or mix with other brands that are not color accurate, etc.

Under around 1200ws, the pack start letting you manually overwrite the flash duration. The lower you go, the more control and you don't have to go all the way down to lowest power to get full max flash duration under your fingers. On the Einstein, as you go down or up, the flash duration changes. You can't overwrite it and you can't control the color temp. Finally, the light can't attempt to do it for you automatically because it's not build that way. Color and flash duration are two different fonctions that share the same power suppy but work in parallel. Kind of like two lights in one instead of a one does it all.

Say you dump a bag of feeds in a bucket for motion stopping. All you do with the expensive equipment is push buttons to get the duration you want with the aperture you have decided on to get the effect you need. With the Einstein you need to move the lights to get the duration and stop you want and it's the light that controls the photo not the photographer 100%. Yet, for grains, gravel, etc., you may want to keep a little motion, but how much is what you control with the flash duration and more control at finger reach makes it even simpler. That much control and the fact that the higher price product would still deliver color accuracy and allow overwrite, makes them technically hard to compare no matter the price.

Since this is a forum, I would have liked more details on the brands and models you are referring to. "10K Euro" for such a statement is pretty vague and make it sound intentional, plus the statement is not accurate.

As for the price 10K is for a 3200ws, but a 1600ws can be purchased for $8k with a free high end head. Using logic, I would think between 3200ws and 1600w the last would be the closest you could compare a 600ws head to. I only mention this to correct yet an other inacurate statement. Again, you need to check things first or you make your statements sound intentionally off. If $10k is a lot to you I would imagine $2K is as well...

I bfigure if you came up with a comparable 1600ws mono that offers all the options build in the packs you are comparing to that would probably be a $2500 - $4500 Einstein mono head. Do it and we'll see for sure...

Apr 15, 2010 at 02:10 PM

Conner999
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p.2 #19 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Nicely said Maurice

Apr 15, 2010 at 02:43 PM

Two23
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p.2 #20 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Can you give me a link to how you made the "Pelican" power pack? I didn't realize they were so small. It's a battery plus pure sine wave inverter, right?

Kent in SD

Apr 15, 2010 at 03:07 PM

adamdewilde
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p.2 #21 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

I wouldn't be to worried about color shifts.. If it meant getting the shot.

Thanks for the going through all that trouble bacilonur...

Apr 15, 2010 at 03:50 PM

bacilonur
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p.2 #22 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Deezie, yes, I used the old 7'' for the dremel test and the water balloon test (in the front, the back had the HOBD) until the power got too low, then I changed it to the new 11'' sports reflector. Switching to the 8.5''s will cost a fair bit once I factor in all the grids I'd need, which I wouldn't be able to share with other 7'' reflectors.

Maurice, do you have a Scoro? Then you know that you can turn that fancy ECTC to get faster flash durations at the lower range, and just like the Einstein, the temp goes blue. Sure, being able to adjust your temp and flash duration sounds nice on paper, but the large majority of photographers just want a light that matches daylight, has consistent output and color temp, and has a wicked fast flash duration. For the very small bracket of photographers who need exactly 1/3000 t.1 at any aperture and can't be bothered with a gel to match their old flashes, Bron is obviously the only choice. But I know Paul wasn't aiming at that clientele. If you want to buy a $10k (or $8k) pack and then tune it down so it performs like a slow, warm flash, that's your call. But as the saying goes, I have some property I can sell you to go with it :-)

That's all aside from the obvious fact that the Einstein is a mono. Bron's equivalent (Minicom 80) is huge, almost twice the size and weight, 4 times the price, and features glacial flash durations. And no, I didn't read that on The Interweb, I rented the Minicom 40 to try out.

If Top Gear did a review of the Scoro vs the E640, they'd likely rave about all the Scoro's features the entire show, but then conclude that you should buy the Einstein since it's lighter, more fun, easier to use, and is a whopping 1/18 of the price, practically making it a disposable unit. Good night everybody

Apr 15, 2010 at 03:53 PM

Greg Feldman
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p.2 #23 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

MauriceBlair wrote:
The only "euro" pack I know in that price range is the Broncolor Scoro, but unlike what you mention, it does control the color temp and flash duration at once ... "10K Euro" for such a statement is pretty vague and make it sound intentional, plus the statement is not accurate ... I only mention this to correct yet an other inacurate statement. Again, you need to check things first or you make your statements sound intentionally off.

Imagine that.

Apr 15, 2010 at 03:58 PM

bacilonur
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p.2 #24 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

And Kent, here's the Pelican thread: http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/823184/0

Apr 15, 2010 at 04:22 PM

c2thew
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p.2 #25 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

"but the large majority of photographers just want a light that matches daylight, has consistent output and color temp, and has a wicked fast flash duration."

pretty much. Lights have been largely unavailable to photographers without forbearing the incredible price range of higher end strobes. I suppose people question the value of strobes in value in comparison to lenses which have higher perceived value due to the complexity of lens design, color, contrast etc. (this is coming from a consumer point of view) the fact that the einstein addresses this issue without breaking the bank shows that at least one manufacturer is trying to lower the barrier to entry for lights.

the only real threat I can see in the strobe market is the elinchrom quadra for it's extremely small size and portability which is very important as more and more photographers end up using the world for creative photography sessions.

but at $2k, the einstein absolutely blows it away in price to value.

Apr 15, 2010 at 04:26 PM


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