OK so I just ironed out all the financial details and was asked to shoot a "Box Lacrosse" tournament here in Colorado at one of the local facilities.
In the process of being hired I am going to be investing in (6) of the version 2 Einstein's from PCB.
So I have currently the TT1 and a set of 3 PW Multimax triggers. But I now see that PW makes a remote (adjustable) receiver for each of the Einsteins but at a higher price.
Plus I have been reading on here that PW has ironed out the issues of them not having much of a range for broadcasting and receiving.
OK so to the question.
Those of you that have been using the Cybersync trigger and receivers what have been the positives and the negatives.
On the other side those of you that have been using the PW set-up on the Einsteins the same question. Plus and minus of them?
The other thing I am going to probably ask is I am going to be able to aim the Einstein's from the rafters (Event style) so that way I can be very precise for my light falloff.
Do you think I 4 lights will be fine (Remember hockey rink)? Or should I go with 6 (2 at each goal line and one at half rink).
I would really like 6 and that way I can knock the power down for faster recycling. I have been reading articles that actually when you power them down you also get better action stopping abilities as the T1 ratings go up.
Let me know your thoughts as this tournament is 3 months away so I have plenty of time to plan and start making my purchases!
I have been using Einstein's with the CyberSync CSXCV Transceiver for nearly a year without any trouble. Also used with the CyberCommander for remote power adjustment without any issues, though I haven't tested the CyberCommander more than 35-40ft from the lights so I can't speak to reliability with greater range.
CanadianEh wrote:
I have been using Einstein's with the CyberSync CSXCV Transceiver for nearly a year without any trouble. Also used with the CyberCommander for remote power adjustment without any issues, though I haven't tested the CyberCommander more than 35-40ft from the lights so I can't speak to reliability with greater range.
That is probably my largest concern as this is a full fledged hockey rink. I am considering the CyberCommander because of the ability to completely adjust all power on the fly to each and every light. I know that the distance rating on the Commander is supposed to be 400ft.
If you go with the CyberSync system, I would get a CyberCommander for adjustments and a CyberSync transmitter (CST) for your on camera triggering. The CyberCommander hanging off the hot shoe is, in my opinion, clumsy.
billatwkrp wrote:
If you go with the CyberSync system, I would get a CyberCommander for adjustments and a CyberSync transmitter (CST) for your on camera triggering. The CyberCommander hanging off the hot shoe is, in my opinion, clumsy.
UM...CyberCommander hanging off the hot shoe? As far as I see in the pictures the CyberCommander mounts on the hot shoe exactly the same as what would a PW Multimax where it sticks straight up in the air from the camera.
Is there multiple versions that I haven't seen on the PCB site?
billatwkrp wrote:
If you go with the CyberSync system, I would get a CyberCommander for adjustments and a CyberSync transmitter (CST) for your on camera triggering. The CyberCommander hanging off the hot shoe is, in my opinion, clumsy.
Wisdom.
The CST is small, easy to mount, just easier. The CC on the hot shoe is huge, bulky, and the flexible joint falls flat. Making adjustments from the hot-shoe really suck.
Use the CST on camera, put the CC around your neck on a lanyard or something. Then thank us later.
pretty decent range test. you will be able to pop your strobes, but beyond 400 feet, you lose the ability to control the strobes since it requires more bandwidth to transmit lighting changes vs a simple frequency trigger when tripping the strobe.
The cybercommander has been more then enough to satisfy my needs. the pocketwizard doesn't offer HSS, so it's more of an expensive route to take though the interface is admittedly slightly faster for on the fly shots.
sboerup wrote:
The CC on the hot shoe is huge, bulky, and the flexible joint falls flat. Making adjustments from the hot-shoe really suck.
Use the CST on camera, put the CC around your neck on a lanyard or something. Then thank us later.
+1. I find it easiest to use 2 hands on the CC. Can't imagine trying to do that from the hotshoe. CST is smaller, lighter and if you drop the camera CST will be much cheaper to replace.
I have had issues with the Cyber Commander stopping triggering. Because the CC doesn't have a thumb wheel to hold it securely in the hot shoe, it moves slightly when you are swinging the camera around following the action and contact is lost. I now use Pocket Wizards all the way, they have thumbwheels and sit securly in the hotshoe. I have been using PWs for nearly 5 years and they are quality wise a world above the Cyber Commander. I haven't invested in the PWs for Einsteins, here in Oz they want to charge $200 per unit, I use a TT1 in the hotshoe and PW Multimax IIs on the Einsteins. No more missed shots.
I still use the Cyber Commander for setting adjustments. I have had no trouble having the Paul Buff Einstein receiver sitting in the Einstein with a PW Multimax plugged in too.
I also don't really like the interface on the CC, after 6 months of using it every day I still use the wrong joystick for the wrong function - its not at all well designed. Also the joysticks are too small for my fingers - I also HAVE to use two hands on it. Thats easier when its not in the hotshoe.
Lastly, I have had real issues with the reliability of the Einsteins themselves. The functionality is great but the build quality sucks. I would take out Paul C Buff gear from as much of the chain as possible. If you need 4 lights, buying 6 is the way to go so you always have at least one backup unit with you. If you need 6, buy 8.
Ok so the general consensus is that I should get one of the CyberCommander units and keep it around my neck or such so I can control the power of the Einstein's from the ground.
Plus (I have 2 D700's) have 2 of the CyberSync Transmitters one on each camera firing and then on each of the Einsteins get the CyberSync Transceiver for receiving the signal.
Now I have also heard that there is a setup or "hack" or such that allows Multimax's (or any PW triggers) to be able to "assist" with signal so that way you don't have a misfire.
Considering that I already have 3 if I can use them in conjunction I might as well do so.
Anyone heard about that?
Next million dollar question is IM also considering picking up either a pair of the 11" reflectors or the new Retro Laser reflectors.
+1 to using one CST in each camera's hotshoe and a CyberCommander to control levels. The CyberCommander also has a repeater function, which apparently can help amplify, but I've never experienced a range limitation with Cybersyncs, even shooting through walls, so I doubt you'll have a problem.
Regarding reflectors: you're shooting from the rafters at a hockey rink? A friend of mine owns an RLR, which I understand is quite focused, though I'm pretty sure it's adjustable to some extent. If you're actually firing from rafters, then the ability to focus should help you get a lower usable power level. You might also consider the 11" long-throw, which has a similar beam spread, but is a third as expensive.
Ok well I am considering using 6 of these in this rink and that is the reason why I am considering that setup because I can "dial down" the WS and that will definately give me higher t.1 speeds and faster recycling.
I have used the 11" long throw reflectors before on a full set of AB1600's and they worked pretty good.
IM considering purchasing both just for the fact of making the lighting hit specific areas also.
I know that everyone else is saying the CyberCommander and CyberSync in conjunction with the Einsteins.
My concern though is I have 3 Multimax triggers along with a MiniTT1 and I can use the Multimax's as relays to strengthen the signal so that honestly I shouldnt' in any case at all have either a misfire or no-fire at all because I can place them in a triangle around the rink to "assist" in the frequency transmitting.
Are any of you that use the Pocketwizards wish to chime in also to add to this discussion?
I'm looking into investing in an Einstein an PW system end of the year.
I'd take a serious look at the PW system, the features look amazing. The few advantages I see with the CyberCommanders is that you can meter the lights with it along with power adjustments, it controls more lights and the receivers are cheaper.
With the PW system, you can integrate TTL speedlights into the mix, you have Hypersync (not high speed sync), and you can shoot Rear-Curtain which is killer to me (in my Canon system).
m.shalaby wrote:
I would go with the PW system for the flexibility of going OCF with Speedlites and HSS if you ever want to use that.
I do actually want to do that as I will be picking up a pair (if not more) of the FlexTT5 units when I get some more of the SB900's.
So it looks like I might be wavering more over to the PW's instead of the CS units just because I already have them and while they are a little more expensive will be giving me more flexibility outside of just the Einstein's with other various flash units.
Plus the last thing is going to be the fact that I will be running "remote" shooting with my camera bodies so the CS really won't' be able to do that.
I know this is an old thread but I am researching this topic as I already have the Cyber Commander but I use multiple Einsteins in a room and want a strobe on my camera. With the CC I can't do that.
I had looked at the Yongnuo triggers that allow a flash to be mounted on top of the trigger but they do not offer power control or hypersync and do not have locks to keep them from slipping out of the shoe.
I have to agree with Ken Drake on his observations about the CC. Way too fiddly with the tiny controls and goofy interface. A clear case of listening to the "users" who want everything on the device without any thought as to actually using it in a fast paced environment.
The only reservation I have about the PW TT triggers is that a fair number report misfires. However it seems that they are using Speedlights and are trying to use TTL controls. I would be using them with Einsteins in (what I think) is a much simpler application. From the response I see above no one is really reporting problems with the PWs used this way.
Oh, and another thing, the CC goes to sleep and requires several pokes to wake it up sometimes. Of course it happens when you need to get a shot.
I started with the cybersyncs without the cybercommander, and went to the PW flex system last year as an experiment. Granted I was more using it with hotshoe flashes than strobes, but I found the system unrelible enough I went back to cybersync and added a cybercommander.
As to your point with on camera flash to go with the strobes, it actually works better with the cybersyncs. I have classic 580 flashes, and bought the flash zebra feet with a 1/8 jack built in. That allows me to have the tiny CST trigger velcroed to the side of the flash and connected to the 1/8 jack so the on camera flash and strobes can fire together no problem. The commander doesn't have to be in the shoe to control the strobes, the lanyard idea works pretty well. It also allows me to put the flash as a remote with a CSRB velcroed to the side - although I can't remotely control power that way. Having remote control of the flashes was why I tried the PW flex's, but it just wasn't reliable enough for me.
