The hope is that Paul Buff distribution will move globally instead of just in the US. I myself use Einsteins in most of my studio work. Although Einsteins lack high speed sync, in flash battery, and some of the portability of some modern flashes like Godox and Profoto, I still find them as the best bang for the buck mono light. Would any of the international folks look at picking up some PCB lights if made available? It looks as if the prices are slightly higher than the prices in the US, but give access to global availability without paying for a freight and worrying about parts and time. What are your thoughts on this move by Paul Buff?
Well, I am sorted with my gear:
- Various Godox flashes, from the tiny TT350 to the AD-600 pro and everything in between
- Silver and white BD from Godox
- Octas from Phottix
- Strip lights from Lastolite and Phottix
- Rectangular softbox from Lastolite
Most folks I know use either Profoto, Elinchrom or Godox with the occassional Phottix and a few other Chinese.
The challenge is here that these BUFF flashes have their own mount and you are not having too much options in brands for your modifiers.
I'm afraid that this is too little too late for PCB. With the lack of competitive or innovative offerings in the last several years, especially in the realm of battery powered strobes, pretty much everyone I know that was a hardcore PCB user has gone to Godox or other more affordable strobe systems.
I still occasionally see PCB strobes with older professional photogs that have so much invested in a massive kit that it makes absolutely no sense to switch. Lately I've seen more Dynalites than PCBs though! I think the last time I saw a PCB sitting around was at a rental studio I was using.
Something that set PCB apart from many others, back in the day, was the great customer service. With a distributor, that may not translate to the European market. And as already mentioned, their product line has stagnated relative to the rapid evolution of the lower-end studio strobe market led by Godox and other Asian brands.
I still own and use a couple Einsteins. They definitely work well for what they do, coupled with Vagabond Minis... But for a similar price, one could get an all-in-one AD600 Pro and gain HSS and TTL, if desired.
Hey Everyone,
I totally agree this may be too little too late. With international distribution quality control and reliability may be impacted, which rscheffler mentioned was one of their only brand established pros over other entry level strobes. Buff should have made this move 5 years ago if they really wanted to get a jump on the international market. I have seen several threads on the Godox, and I have never used one, but the functionality and portability have made me second think a transition from Buff as well.
I have always been called an old soul, and I guess it translates to my strobe equipment as well!
I have grown beyond impatient with PCB's refusal to compete with the market on modern options like built in batteries and HSS - what in the world is going on over there? I love my Einstein's and modifiers but this absurd.
I could not tell a youngster getting into things to invest in PCB gear. That ship appears to have sailed.
Hey Joel,
I actually purchased my first Einstein 4 years ago when Godox was fairly new to the scene. I completely agree with you if I was to start over it would be difficult to recommend Buff over some of the newer lighting players. I like my Einstein for indoor, and in the studio work, but the portability is definitely cumbersome. I think innovation has completely escaped PCB since their glory days. The Einsteins are still capable of some wonderful lighting if you can overcome their downsides.
Agree on too little too late. 5-6 years ago I really wanted a moonlight for taking large family group photos and an Einstein with a vagabond was the dream although I didn't have the budget for even an Alienbee. Fast forward to a few weeks ago... I went with Flashpoint/Godoy and the choice was easy, although I really wish that the service PCB offered was present.
EAvila wrote:
For clarification, what happened was that Paul Buff died in 2015! As a result, no new innovation as he was the main development force there.
I wouldn't say that PCB's passing has derailed the company's innovation - there hasn't been much in ways of innovation since the Einstein's first came out back in 2012 or so. The revamped Alien Bee? New colors or modeling lights? A new controller for lights? That's it?
I have to agree with the overall sentiment here. I have four Einstein lights and various modifiers. I still use them on some shoots when I need that many lights, but generally if I can get away with just two I take my Profoto kits. There's nothing wrong with the Einsteins, they have been bomber, and worth the money over the years, but they feel old school in comparison to the more modern lights available. I'm pulling for PCB, their customer service is outstanding, but they will need to advance with the times or I fear they will suffer.
I have four Einsteins and one Digibee. One of my favorite features is the small size for traveling. I seldom use heavy modifyers so am not troubled by the mount.
I wish they had updated to HSS, built-in radios, and added a battery model.
I have V860's and AD200's too.
If starting over today, I'd look at Godox and Interfit.
I like the modeling lamps on the Einsteins and want that for any AC work.
The name / branding on the Interfit is even less attractive than the AB / Einstein; however, I'll not let that alone drive any future purchase decision.
The Godox 600 Pro is 10" long, for me a undesirable feature. Of course, that includes the battery. The 400 Pro is much shorter, maybe a better option for me.
For basic AC monolight, the Interfit Honey Badger (bad name) is pretty good at $ 260 for 320 WS. Built in radios too. For my headshot work, this is plenty of power and great portability.
The Godox system has so many options, it is a strong competitor.
MNPNW wrote:
I have four Einsteins and one Digibee. One of my favorite features is the small size for traveling. I seldom use heavy modifyers so am not troubled by the mount.
I wish they had updated to HSS, built-in radios, and added a battery model.
I have V860's and AD200's too.
If starting over today, I'd look at Godox and Interfit.
I like the modeling lamps on the Einsteins and want that for any AC work.
The name / branding on the Interfit is even less attractive than the AB / Einstein; however, I'll not let that alone drive any future purchase decision.
The Godox 600 Pro is 10" long, for me a undesirable feature. Of course, that includes the battery. The 400 Pro is much shorter, maybe a better option for me.
For basic AC monolight, the Interfit Honey Badger (bad name) is pretty good at $ 260 for 320 WS. Built in radios too. For my headshot work, this is plenty of power and great portability.
The Godox system has so many options, it is a strong competitor.
MN, I agree. Don’t know if PB is fading but definitely needs a new HSS battery light.
I learned on Buffs in school. My dream lights were Profoto but too much money.
When I started to read tests between Profoto and the Einstein’s I was really looking to get a set and even missed a set sold here a few months ago.
But now I’m looking hard at the Godox and even the AD200 for travel.
I’ve been using a small army of bought used Photogenic lights for years now, but talk about bulky and heavy?!
The new Godox might have everything in one inexpensive package.
In a few months I’m traveling into Mexico to do a body of portrait work and will need something portable.
The Godox might be it.
Heck maybe even speed lights?? Gonna have to experiment!!! LoL
An Einstein could be perfect if it had HHS for day use, I already use their battery for my current lights.
John
Have been using the same three B800's since 2003. Workhorses. Haven't even had to replace a flash tube (though they could use a tune up).
Just bought three B1600's for a total of $300 from someone who convinced themselves they needed some other newer brand like the ones mentioned above.
I wouldn't say Buff's brand is going to go bankrupt. They have a legion of devoted fans who have been using his gear since the White Lightning days (1982).
It's kool-and-the-gang if you don't dig Buff anymore, and maybe the new items haven't been quite the same since Buff passed away, but they are still fantastically priced, decent quality gear that works like gangbusters.
I mean, I'd love to have Profoto, but I can only afford Bees.
And I have a whole studio full of softboxes and umbrellas and beauty dishes that fit on these.
Like others I started with ABs but all Godox now. Einsteins were nice (I still have them) but I am not going back to NDs for outdoor shoots when I can use AD600 with extension head in HSS mode.
I don't think that my PCB gear has become crap over night and will continue to use it in my modest studio and for everything when using my 4x5. I don't imagine that the company will file bankruptcy and wouldn't wish that on them, though the PCB gear's reliability, color consistency and excellent customer service is in my opinion all that it has going for it (as compared to other modestly priced modern gear such as Godox).
I am not getting rid of my Einsteins. I just dread the idea of using them out in the wild tethered to an eight pound Vagabond Extreme when there are other options with modern features and built-in batteries for a competitive price.
"BUFF flashes have their own mount and you are not having too much options in brands for your modifiers." I have their beauty dish but my 3', 5' and 7' octas are photoflex as are my 3x4, and 2 strips. Their octas open line an umbrella. I have their 7' silver parabolic I use as a spot light or with diffuser and defocused as a soft large source that opens as a umbrella. Using an AB speed ring. you can attach most other modifiers that attach to a speed ring. I even have a folding speedring for the 3x4 for location then snap it open and ready to go. I have the EIGHTEEN lb original vagabond that multitasks as a sand bag strapped to the stand. The other battery is 5 lbs. I'll put the recycle speed, ie 10 pops PER SECOND, flat line color, reliability, customer service against any light that costs TWICE as much.
I don't think that my PCB gear has become crap over night and will continue to use it in my modest studio and for everything when using my 4x5. I don't imagine that the company will file bankruptcy and wouldn't wish that on them, though the PCB gear's reliability, color consistency and excellent customer service is in my opinion all that it has going for it (as compared to other modestly priced modern gear such as Godox).
I am not getting rid of my Einsteins. I just dread the idea of using them out in the wild tethered to an eight pound Vagabond Extreme when there are other options with modern features and built-in batteries for a competitive price....Show more →
I certainly don't miss that 20lb anchor that was the Vagabond, but since picking up one of those little vagabond mini-lithium's it hardly weighs much at all! That works perfectly if I need to grab a Bee and head outside. That little thing is awesome!
