Yes, it's clear that the guy's got an axe to grind. I know that if one of my employee's did something like this, I would throw legal resources at them to have the website taken down. But Paul has rushed a few products to market without fully testing them. One instance was the ringlight, which had some kind of faulty part that had to be replaced. Nothing too major as I recall. Another appears to be issues with the diffusion cover on the PLM, and I get the idea from a recent email that he's giving the PLM itself a bit of makeover in terms of build.
What you get for the price of his gear is a sacrifice in build quality, otherwise his products would cost much more. I have owned his gear and bought them not for rugged construction, but convenience. The AB's are made of a plastic housing, but it keeps them light weight and their small footprint and fast recycle were very attractive to me at the time.
One light started smoking the first time I turned it on and was replaced without question, but generally, my experience with them was a pleasant one, though there were a few features that really bugged. But the thing is, when you make things on the cheap, there are often reliability issues, which is why the former employee's claims ring true. But it is what it is. You get what you pay for.
After the Mark III customer service debacle by Canon, I'd rather take my chances with Paul. At least he's been willing to admit when there's a problem and resolve it as quickly as possible rather than brush it under the rug for a year. Plus Paul's mistakes, in my case a faulty Vagabond II unit which was quickly replaced, cost me A LOT less in money and frustration than Canon's.
Actually he hasn't accepted any responsibility for the issues raised on these forums - which was the point of the article by the angry ex-employee. As CEO, the buck stops with him regardless of who's at fault, such as third party vendors.
Mistakes happen in all businesses, but if Paul continues to release products that haven't received sufficient beta testing, then regardless of replacing the defective products, customers are going to tire of paying to be beta testers. Comparing the quality, build and performance of Canon with Paul's company is strictly apples and oranges. Paul's company is not a microcosm of a worldwide brand like Canon.
The former employee thing has been discussed to death on all forums. If you want to join his cult of 10 or so, have a ball. Or you could listen to my 500,000 customers, or call in (1-800-443-5542) and ask any employee about Chad Pryson. I ignore him - not worth my time and effort to file a libel suit.
As for cheap build and all that, I don't agree. AB housing is the same Lexan as Elinchrom RX line, but thicker. Basic, form follows function build. Same components as the most expensive lights and high quality control and burn in testing.
Just did an eight year reliability study on AB. Result - 0.88% repair per unit per year (and that includes DOA units killed in shipping). So if you own 114 ABs that indicates one will develop a problem each year. Let's hear this number from competitors. With a half million units in the field we have had only one claim on our product liability insurance - a guy cut his finger on a sharp reflector edge. Can we hear this number from competitors?
Regarding early release goofs . . . when you develop as much stuff as I have over the past three years you are going to have unexpected bugs. The question is, does the company stand beside their customers when this happens? Or do they just take their profits and leave you hanging? I think our record here is crystal clear.
photogmatt wrote:
Not to mention Elinchrom accessories are really pricey for an "entry level" kit, and portable battery for it is way beyond affordable for someone like me. Live and learn I guess.
More like read the literature and learn. It's not that hard to make informed decisions if you take the time to become informed.
But yes, I've heard nothing but great things about Paul's company, so, three cheers to you !
My Vagabond II died after my first wedding. It was replaced right away and has been through 5 weddings with no problems. I would recommend them to anyone. Thank you, Paul.
You spend too much time defending that which defends itself.
I have four of your lights, two of which I've used very often since 2004. Those two have been through five or six modeling lamps, but I've never even had to replace a flashtube in what I'm sure is more than 30,000 pops.
As J.M. "Matthew" Polfuss (polsfuss.com, atlantaglamour.com, fastandsexy.com) says, nothing beats a Bee.
I love my two Bees and two X1600s.
Recent images of Superman shot with an X1600 with your 64" white parabolic (with black outer fabric), B400 with barndoors, Vagabond, and CyberSync:
We are all human and sticks and stones, when they are misinformed, can cause personal pain. One thing I see often from antagonists here, who have never met me, and from Mr. Pryson, is that I am an egotistical tyrant of some sort and lack of humility, and that I am feared by my employees and don't listen to them or treat them well.
I would offer that, in 28 years running this company I have never once been unfriendly or raised my voice or had any sort of heated argument with any employee or any customer or vendor. This includes Mr. Pryson. I take good care of my employees, customers and friends
I suppose there is an element of fear from some employees - the fear that if they don't perform satisfactorily in their jobs they could be replaced. I believe the same applies to any employee in any job.
I know, I know, there goes Buff being defensive again. But any decent person I know will defend themselves when attacked.
Deezie wrote:
Actually he hasn't accepted any responsibility for the issues raised on these forums.
Don't personally care if anyone accepts responsibility or not, I just want a problem fixed when it arises and Paul C. Buff and company have done that, and only once for a defective Vagabond II unit. Problem solved quickly, efficiently, and without any hassles or delays.
Comparing the quality, build and performance of Canon with Paul's company is strictly apples and oranges. Paul's company is not a microcosm of a worldwide brand like Canon.
If you read my post carefully, you'll see that I have not compared Canon products with Paul's products. I compared Paul C. Buff customer service with Canon's. In that case you are correct, it is apples to oranges because Canon completely denied the issues with the Mark III by remaining completely silent for so long. It's also apples to oranges when you consider the cost of a Mark III and a Vagabond II. With that in mind why shouldn't I expect and demand better service from such a well established, well respected, worldwide brand? Canon should be ashamed to be bested by such a small company who's yearly operating expenses probably couldn't even pay for a year's worth of toilet paper at Canon headquarters.
I have several strobes, several light modifiers, and a Vagabond II (and previously a Vagabond I) all purchased from Paul C. Buff. At no point in the past three years have I ever felt that their products are cheap, badly designed or manufactured, or any more prone to malfunction that anything else I own. In other words, I've never felt like a beta tester. And for the record, I'm not a Paul C. Buff fanboy, just a satisfied customer.
What Paul C. Buff has done is shown me that they value me as their customer, no matter how much or how little I may purchase. That's something Canon, and others, should take note of.
It's not that hard to make informed decisions if you take the time to become informed.