markd61 wrote:
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.
Put a hotshoe flash on your camera and connect a CST to a PC sync port on the side of the flash (if it has it) or the camera (if it has it).
Put the CC in your pocket for when you need to adjust power, but if you're at an event, you should use strobes to raise ambient or crosslight so you shouldn't need to adjust power often...
Long thread considering.. I found it funny that I found myself in this exact situation about 4 months ago for a very quick shoot request.
Full size public rink, hockey, needed to shoot the entire length of the rink.
I had 5 Einsteins on 15 FT stands and secured with bungee and sandbags. I found the light very harsh on bare heads so experimented with diffusion, your mileage may vary so shoot ahead of time for the type of images your after.
In as much as the CyberCommander. I have tossed ALL my PocketWizard equipment right into the community grab tables and have never looked back. The ability to power on/off modeling lights, adjust power levels (visually) meter light, groups, units, re-name.... The list goes on and on here. I've used these triggers up to 1000 FT in open areas and 250 FT without line of sight.
With the year I've had them out... Not one failure. (Nope, not telling tales here) not ONE failure whatsoever.
The only CONS I have with this system.
- Weak hinge point on the CC hot shoe. Never had a NON contact issue on the shoe, ever.
- You need a package of AAA Duracell batteries with you. Many of these issues with non firing and distance have to do with low power to the units. I know this because I've been testing away with weak batteries.
- The type of mount Paul has decided to go with on these monos does not support reliable support for large box type modifiers. The fingers tend to weaken and give way.
- Little pins to operate the functions and the menus have a steep learning curve when coming off triggers that do nothing but fire lights.
- Battery life is a tough go if you use high display settings for backlight and display ON.
PROS
- The Mini-Vagabond is just sex with clothes on.. Everyone should own 2. I use them all the time for everything, not just the strobes.
- CC is really accurate once calibrated with your Sekonic (in my case the 758DR) and it's so cool to see these reading display in a visual manner.
- The control distance is just insane !, you'll know when you've hit your distance limit when you loose control over power levels and model light etc... But they always fire.
- The ability to set up lights in known configurations and store them on the microSD and just load them up.
- Just knowing I have the ability to use Buff triggers, AND PW all inside this unit at no extra cost.
- Price point PERIOD. $180 for a unit that does 400% more than any pocketwizard out there.
- Upgradeable firmware in both the mono and the CyberCommander available for download and self-install. No send me away for service stuff.
- It looks very cool !!!
The combination of the CyberCommander, Mini-Vagabond and the Einstein lights are one of the most impressive, advanced, quality made and backed pieces of equipment to hit the studio end of photography since the D1 sensor was released by Nikon some years back. Buff gets a bad rep because he's been known to voice himself as a tad arrogant. If I had a better mouse trap priced 50% lower than other makers out there, offered the customer service that he does... I might tend to wag MY BIG FRIEND whilst standing in the men's room too.
Good Luck with your shoot !!!!!
I'm adding this little point... I know that there are a lot more users of PW out there so the use/breakage etc is more evident. But, just do an eBay search for PW parts.. Look at the numbers of units that have failed and are now only used for parts. Now search for CC parts ! ... Buff doesn't die. It just runs and runs. And if it fails? Send it back to Buff and their repairs for out of warranty equipment (monoblocks or any equipment) average around $60.00 per. Compare that to others.
The sale is only half of what you should look at. If you have an issue, how are you handled after that?
Buff's people are some of the nicest southern folk you'll ever deal with. And if if isn't so? Talk to the guy with his name on the box (Yea, you can do that)
I talk to Ian at LPA (the people who make PocketWizard) all the time. He has helped on numerous occasions. PW support is on a par with PCB, in my experience.
I tried the cyber commander. It is a great product. However, I went back to the PW MC2/TT5 system so that I can use my Einsteins along with SB-910s (in either iTTL or manual mode)
The biggest thing I like about the PW system is being able to adjust the light output via the exposure compensation system right in the camera. Granted, that will only adjust one "group" but it works great for me!
John Skinner wrote:
...The combination of the CyberCommander, Mini-Vagabond and the Einstein lights are one of the most impressive, advanced, quality made and backed pieces of equipment to hit the studio ...
I'm just getting around to reading this, but +1 on John Skinner.
Yes, you lose TTL by going twith the PCB remotes, but I have not looked back, but I am more of a manual control rather than TTL or even Av mode anyways. Use the CST on camera, and carry the CC (I use a cell phone case either on my belt or the camera strap). Easy to change lighting setups when needed, and a 100% fire rate on the CSTs (full sized arena is not even close to challenging the distance limit).
SO ... the only real consideration is whether you like / want / need TTL. If so, go with PW. If not, CC & CST by Buff.
BTW ... I kept my PW system for remote triggering the camera. No sense in throwing out the baby with the bathwater!
Where I differ is that my cybercommander has a fairly loose mount and will lose connection and not fire at all. I'm considering putting a dot of super glue on the inside of the plastic mount on the cybercommander to give it a little less space to move. (BTW I tried with fresh batteries, both NiMH and alkaline).
I was lucky enough to have one of the first units. Bought a set of four. One blew a capacitor while I was holding the light. I don't know if I pissed myself, but I wouldn't be surprised if I let a squirt out. So ya, sometimes I feel like those who get the newest Buff gear should be called space monkeys, or some other pioneering name. And maybe an instruction or two when you start up the new gear, like "grab your package and close your eyes, then let er rip"
Aside from that? It's excellent, and I use it in a very simple manner, more often than not just to do adjustments and trigger the flash. Saving banks, the metering, etc, are not needed for most of what I do, though as I start to shoot more studio type work, Im sure I'll pick it up, as it does sound useful.
Also, the system itself is really slick. The combo of a Vagabond Mini Lithium, the Einstein, and the Cybercommander/Cybersyncs is really well thought out, takes up little space, and a reasonable amount of weight.
BTW, I say this still owning a full array of Elinchrom lights and Pocketwizard Multimax units. They are now probably gonna end up as loaner/rental gear.
Oh, one last "gripe", and it's a small one. For such an advanced system, the UI for the Einstein and Cybercommander looks like the start screen for Asteroids. Makes me wanna throw a quarter in. I say if they went for that look, I'd at least enjoy it if they added some sound effects. Perhaps Pacman eating a ghost as it recycles, or maybe the dying sound when you turn off the strobe? And just for kicks, instead of letting us go right to the special menu, make us earn it by hitting Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A
... Buff doesn't die. It just runs and runs. And if it fails? Send it back to Buff and their repairs for out of warranty equipment (monoblocks or any equipment) average around $60.00 per. Compare that to others.