Einstein 640 review, part 1

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Archive 2010 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

photomarvin
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p.6 #1 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

jwboring wrote:
I don't like his stated politics

I can't find any politics either.

This is taking this in a bad direction again, but Paul has made some very bold political statements in some of his posts. It is not about what Paul has said in one post, but how he repeatedly behaves unprofessionally in a public forum. Having said that, when he stays on topic he has provided a wealth of information to Paul Buff customers about his products. You either like the way he conducts himself or you don't...

btw, to the OP...great review...thanks for taking the time!

Apr 21, 2010 at 07:04 PM

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

how he repeatedly behaves unprofessionally in a public forum

I have been reading this forum almost every day since Fall 09 and pay pretty close attention to Paul's post because I'm a customer. I remember 2 cases where he got a little testy but nothing I would characterize as unprofessional. Anyway, I hate to see this forum bickering back and forth like this.

Eager to read more about the Einstein so I'll get out the way now.

Apr 21, 2010 at 07:58 PM

Neuffy
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p.6 #3 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

We should start seeing a lot more reviews of these shortly. My own far-inferior-to-bacilonur shortly indeed ^_^

Apr 21, 2010 at 08:59 PM

derek walter
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p.6 #4 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Someone linked to his comment from a different thread. So this is all a waste of bandwidth

Apr 21, 2010 at 11:52 PM

flash69
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p.6 #5 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

I would seriously like to know how you get TONE from text on a screen. I see it like this, if you are a negative person you read everything in a negative light.

I don't think anyone really cares if 1 person does not buy the E640. I personally like it because I might get mine sooner!

I have to agree with the folks that posted above me. We are here to get information on the E640. This is a great product at a price that no-one can touch in both price and features.

Apr 22, 2010 at 01:23 AM

Gregg Heckler
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p.6 #6 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

"This is a great product at a price that no-one can touch in both price and features."

No such a thing. There are 3 things you need to consider when purchasing something. Price, quality, and delivery; you never get all three. Pick which two you want.

Apr 22, 2010 at 03:40 AM

photomarvin
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p.6 #7 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

I'll pick quality and delivery

Apr 22, 2010 at 03:57 AM

E-Vener
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p.6 #8 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

As long as we are dealing in cliches Gregg, how's this one: there's always an exception to every rule.

Apr 22, 2010 at 04:05 AM

Gregg Heckler
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p.6 #9 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Not cliche at all, sales and purchasing 101. Tell me when you've got it all?

Apr 22, 2010 at 04:09 AM

dmward
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p.6 #10 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Mmmm, in the tech world I worked in it was technology, service, price. Pick two.

When I read the specs and the info here related to the E640 Tech is being delivered, PCB, Inc. has already established the customer service practices, and the price looks attractive.

As stated above, Exception to very rule. The E640 does appear to be that. :-)

(waiting impatiently for them to get to my pre-order number. :-) )

Apr 22, 2010 at 04:50 AM

E-Vener
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p.6 #11 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

@Gregg: Honda Element.

Apr 22, 2010 at 05:28 AM

Gregg Heckler
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p.6 #12 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

"As stated above, Exception to very rule. The E640 does appear to be that. :-)"

You might be right if you actually had one. And no one even knows if it'll hold up yet?

"@Gregg: Honda Element." Ha, good one. If you like driving an empty box you can hose out.

Apr 22, 2010 at 05:32 AM

E-Vener
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p.6 #13 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

And no one even knows if it'll hold up yet?

I've been running an Einstein for a few days now , firing it at full power every 5 seconds, for two hours at a stretch. So far so good.

The Honda Element is a great car, especially for a working photographer. Holds more than a Ford Explorer; handles really well; tight turning radius; is stable, nice sound system, and gets good gas mileage. Is it a Ferrari? No. the first thing they tell you at the dealership is the hosing out thing is a myth. My only complaint is that I wish the sound proofing was a lot better.

Apr 22, 2010 at 02:24 PM

E-Vener
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p.6 #14 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Just did some quick testing with the Einstein at full power + 11" LTR (Long throw reflector, At a rough distance of 30-40 feet got a fairly tight beam around f/16 @ ISO 250. pix later !

I need to borrow an electronic range finder to get accurate light to subject distance.

Apr 22, 2010 at 04:10 PM

Paul Buff
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p.6 #15 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Laser rangerfnders are fantastic - about $100 at Lowes. I use mine all the time.

Apr 22, 2010 at 04:36 PM

derek walter
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p.6 #16 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Paul Buff wrote:
Laser rangerfnders are fantastic - about $100 at Lowes. I use mine all the time.
Make sure it's laser and not ultrasonic with a laser pointer. The price should be the obvious differentiator

Apr 22, 2010 at 05:52 PM

Paul Buff
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p.6 #17 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Good point. Actual laser units run from about $100 to $200. Mine was just over $100 and can do a good job at 100' off a very small surface - like a tree trunk. Can be a little hard to aim at a small surface at this distance . . . may I need to mount it on an AR15 so I can hold it steady

Apr 22, 2010 at 06:03 PM

Neuffy
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p.6 #18 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

The "here's three things, pick two" doesn't always work.

If there are inefficiencies that can be eliminated, we can make things less of a trade-off. PCB does that by being factory-direct. The trade-off is that I can't walk down to a store and purchase the product today, or try it out. It means no shipping-less exchanges. There isn't a staff member who can take a look at a unit of mine and help me with operation or tech support in person. Perhaps it should be four things, pick three?

I'd say that goes a long way toward letting us bias against price - it should be double what it is, if a standard distribution network was in place. I'm familiar with the retail markup on most lighting equipment, and it's in that range at least in Canada.

If we accept that the equivalent pricing (that we only get in exchange for the factory-direct relationship, as well as PCB's overall pricing philosophy) "is" double what it currently costs us, then it logically follows that we can have the other two.

Apr 22, 2010 at 06:11 PM

a2rob
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p.6 #19 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Paul Buff wrote:
Good point. Actual laser units run from about $100 to $200. Mine was just over $100 and can do a good job at 100' off a very small surface - like a tree trunk. Can be a little hard to aim at a small surface at this distance . . .

I need to mount it on an AR15 so I can hold it steady

Apr 22, 2010 at 06:48 PM

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p.6 #20 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Paul Buff wrote:
Good point. Actual laser units run from about $100 to $200. Mine was just over $100 and can do a good job at 100' off a very small surface - like a tree trunk. Can be a little hard to aim at a small surface at this distance . . . may I need to mount it on an AR15 so I can hold it steady

umm, I think I'll just set mine on my Gitzo legset + Foba ASMIA head combo. My neighbors might get upset if they see me pointing a gun in the general direction of their house.

Apr 22, 2010 at 06:57 PM

derek walter
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p.6 #21 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Paul Buff wrote:
Good point. Actual laser units run from about $100 to $200. Mine was just over $100 and can do a good job at 100' off a very small surface - like a tree trunk. Can be a little hard to aim at a small surface at this distance . . . may I need to mount it on an AR15 so I can hold it steady

Here's a couple in Alien Bees colors

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Apr 23, 2010 at 12:57 AM

Paul Buff
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p.6 #22 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Neuffy wrote:
The "here's three things, pick two" doesn't always work.

If there are inefficiencies that can be eliminated, we can make things less of a trade-off. PCB does that by being factory-direct. The trade-off is that I can't walk down to a store and purchase the product today, or try it out. It means no shipping-less exchanges. There isn't a staff member who can take a look at a unit of mine and help me with operation or tech support in person. Perhaps it should be four things, pick three?

I'd say that goes a long way toward letting us bias against price - it should be double what it is, if a standard distribution network was in place. I'm familiar with the retail markup on most lighting equipment, and it's in that range at least in Canada.

If we accept that the equivalent pricing (that we only get in exchange for the factory-direct relationship, as well as PCB's overall pricing philosophy) "is" double what it currently costs us, then it logically follows that we can have the other two.

In the US you can't go into a camera store and check out a studio flash unless you are in a major city. If you are not in a big metro center you'll get "I can order it . . . it will take a couple of weeks, and no satisfaction guarantee and you have to send it back to the factory and wait three months if it fails" We had 400 dealers in the early 80s . . . now they're all gone. Going factory direct was the best decision I ever made.

Apr 23, 2010 at 02:36 AM

Neuffy
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p.6 #23 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Hmm...I'm in Canada in metro center of ~1M, and in one store you can see an Elinchrom Ranger/Quadra/D-lite and a few modifiers (as well as speedo and a few others). In another store you can see three or four other brands in person. The modifier selection is truly pitiful however, and only the most popular kits and packages are kept in stock. General policy on ordering something in is that there will be a restocking fee if returned or refused, deposit required up front.

You're definitely right on the subject of repairs and satisfaction guarantees though. I've definitely seen (and heard, but hearsay doesn't count that much) horrible situations with this.

My order, according to the emails I received, has shipped 19 times XD
<3 factory direct. Getting everything I want all at once, barring two-three things is great - amazing really. Doesn't happen very much with many currently common business models. Missing: Parabolics (old models backordered, V2 coming, s'okay), Laser Retro Reflectors (not available yet) and I may as well pick up the mini-offsets as well when I order those first two.

Apr 23, 2010 at 06:10 AM

Paul Buff
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p.6 #24 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

That's about the size of Nashville and constitutes, in my opinion, a substantial metro center. We have one professional photo dealer who carries primarily a few Profoto monolights and little else . . . no Elinchrom, Hensel, Bron etc. They beg us to let them sell ABs constantly. Cities smaller than this basically have only a couple of Chinese lights in stock. Customers from these smaller cities can buy direct from us and have the goods in a couple of day, repairs in 2-4 days and 60 day no questions return policy, as well as direct customer support from the source.

Apr 23, 2010 at 07:27 AM

derek walter
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p.6 #25 · Einstein 640 review, part 1

Anything over 100,000 is a major metropolis in Canada

Apr 23, 2010 at 11:36 AM


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