Kacey wrote:
Any idea when the Version 3 with the Polyester fabric will be shipping?
Will you be making any other planned changes in the next year to them?
Can't predict a year ahead. But as is known, anything we change is always an no cost to customers and usually a great cost to us. (Wonder when Elinchrom is going to offer me a free upgrade for that D-Lite I bout n 2007?)
You have to remember I am one scientist/engineer doing the work of 20, in addition to marketing, finance, global logistics, Chairman - you name it. I would hire more engineers is I could find them . . . but they have to be almost as good as me or I'm wasting my time.
Dealing with Paul C. Buff is an adventure . . . some love it and a few hate it or are jealous or whatever . . . we're not ATT or GM and never will be., But unlike many or most of these companies, we make strong profits year in and year out, and we don't do it on the backs of our customers . . . competitors, absolutely, customers, never.
It will take two weeks to get the Poly fabrics into production. No other changes on the immediate horizon. But let's put it this way . . . .I just bought a Hyundai Genesis sport track a couple of months ago - it outruns an XKE and out smooths a Lexus at half the price. But if they come out with a new model next month you won't find any tears in my beer (partially because I don't drink)
Paul Buff wrote:
You have to remember I am one scientist/engineer doing the work of 20, in addition to marketing, finance, global logistics, Chairman - you name it.
BINGO! And all those things you do pretty well. But one thing that is NOT THERE Paul, is WORKING PHOTOGRAPHER. And no matter how amazing you are as scientist/engineer, if you're making a product for working photographers you're always going to have to make changes.
I say this with the most respect & sincerely hope you listen. But it would be extremely beneficial to your company & your products if somehow you could do test runs your new products with actual photographers before they go to mass productions so you could get some useful feedback. You do have great products, but as a scientist/engineer, sometimes you miss things or don't think of things b/c you're not a photographer who uses your produces everyday on the field.
Paul, have you ever used both Nikon & Canon camera systems?? I have and that really made me think. Canon cameras layout/operation are as if they were designed by an engineer, Nikon cameras seem like they were designed by a photographer.
I know you always say you make good profits & I'm sure you do. But you always say that whenever there's a change needed or upgrade that you eat the cost & never charge it to you customers. If you were to test run your products with actual photographers, there would be no need for this.
Alexis - actually Paul didn't mention certain of his staff which includes a studio manager that has the responsibility to user test the products and assist when evaluating competitor products as well as a slew of other things. Paul is prolific but he does in fact know when to delegate. I'm pretty sure this function is still there at PCB - I applied for it several years back and know that at that time it was filled by a guy with some pretty impressive credentials. Paul - you still have my resume on file, right?
I'm really happy with the PLM like i've said before.
I used it as the main/key light for a set a few days ago; with only another bare alienbees head with some gel on it... I like how you can actually "control" how the light drops...
- Large Silver PLM & White shaft -
You might find the following interesting.
Not that much processed, only a cool +35 contrast thing in Capture One did most of the job!
BINGO! And all those things you do pretty well. But one thing that is NOT THERE Paul, is WORKING PHOTOGRAPHER. And no matter how amazing you are as scientist/engineer, if you're making a product for working photographers you're always going to have to make changes.
OTOH, this working photographer is rather pleasantly surprised how well thought out most of the Buff equipment is. The CyberCommander system, for instance, leaves me with little to desire except what most other photographers would dislike (I'd like to see it larger for easier fat-fingering--most photographers probably prefer it compact and easily hot-shoe mounted).
I find the ergonomics of the Vagabond I and II as a battery packs for a guy who has to shoot and scoot superior to any other battery pack--others are designed for photographers with assistants.
Sometimes it's just little things, like the right-angle AC plug on the CSR+. But there are a lot of things that a person might first ask "Why" and then in real use one sees, "Ah, I see." It's certainly not perfect, and there are certainly compromises, but I run into more "Ah, I see" situations than "Aw, shucks" situations.
Paul Buff wrote:
As for the hospital, I took it i upon myself to order full body CAT Scan and MRIs at my cost four weeks ago , , , just to be sure nothing bad showed up. . . . . Bad stuff showed up.
[...]
Been home since yesterday and working with my prized internist to get past it all. Making good progress and should be ready ti kick some ass next week.
Sounds really bad. Hope you get well soon.
Paul Buff wrote:
As I say, D Lites have virtually no affect on US Continent business, as hard as they try. In EU, sure, they are more competitive, but EU is less than 5% of our market a this point.
Indeed.
A D-Lite 2 it shipped is about $350.00 (including the 7" reflector), a AlienBees B400 is about $470.00. A two year warranty is required by law anyway. And when it comes to the Einstein... You can even get a used Profoto, Bron or a new Hensel Strobe for the price.
But back on topic: The PLM V2 is also ridiculously expensive here. Shipped it is about $220.00. And shipping from UK alone is $70.00! I feel like Paul Buff Europe is ripping us off.
That may be the reason why the AlienBees EU market share is so low.
As much as I like to get a PLM... I will not pay 70 bucks for the shipping.
chibacityfunk wrote:
Sounds really bad. Hope you get well soon.
Indeed.
A D-Lite 2 it shipped is about $350.00 (including the 7" reflector), a AlienBees B400 is about $470.00. A two year warranty is required by law anyway. And when it comes to the Einstein... You can even get a used Profoto, Bron or a new Hensel Strobe for the price.
But back on topic: The PLM V2 is also ridiculously expensive here. Shipped it is about $220.00. And shipping from UK alone is $70.00! I feel like Paul Buff Europe is ripping us off.
That may be the reason why the AlienBees EU market share is so low.
As much as I like to get a PLM... I will not pay 70 bucks for the shipping....Show more →
But I don't think Elinchrom is going to repair your light for free if you accidentally dropped it or replace radiotransmitters because you accidentally dropped it into a pool.
Can agree with the prices. They are pretty high and it's because of shipping, customs and the crew that runs PCB EU. If I was ordering directly I would pay 5-10% less than ordering from PCB EU.
Keep in mind that starting up a shop at a new location is always costly.
Or, have your gear insured, something beneficial for a number of reasons.
I certainly don't expect to see my DLite start to pop and fizzle with a trail of smoke. So replacement units are a moot point for me.
Sorry, had to offer the flip side of the coin, seems to me like people are getting stuck on a warranty which albeit great, is in my opinion, and you will likely disagree, in place mostly due to need. After all the bad reports on some AB products found in here, one would be very scared to buy something if it wasn't for the great warranty offered.
gkayacan-
Cool shots, and the BTS video looked like alot of fun, and a decently sized crew! I was suprised to see soo many young guns in such a large'ish crew prod. Congrats.
I would like to know what those smoke thingys are called if you don't mind me asking ? I'm always looking for cool props and those smoke trails seem pretty handy.
I certainly don't expect to see my DLite start to pop and fizzle with a trail of smoke. So replacement units are a moot point for me.
I don't anyone who expects that to happen
. But it does. Elinchrom and Profoto lighting gear certainly aren't immune.to unanticipated failure. I say that from long personal experience with both of those brands.
CreV wrote:
But I don't think Elinchrom is going to repair your light for free if you accidentally dropped it or replace radiotransmitters because you accidentally dropped it into a pool.
Actually I don't expect any company to pay for my faults. Maybe you should get your gear insured.
CreV wrote:
Can agree with the prices. They are pretty high and it's because of shipping, customs and the crew that runs PCB EU. If I was ordering directly I would pay 5-10% less than ordering from PCB EU.
Well... Of course I am aware that PCB EU imports the gear. Shipping from the US could be a problem, when not done right. Customs should be about 3.7%. But they should still get a discount from PCB. My main complaint is the shipping PCB EU charges.
E-Vener wrote:
You might not like Paul C Buff , or elinchrom, or Profoto, or whatever gear you dislike,but making obviously specious claims doesn't help your cause.
Actually i like Paul. Hey, he produced some of my favourite songs and I like the way he rethinks concepts and engineering design paradigms to come up with some innovative solutions.
gkayacan wrote:
I'm really happy with the PLM like i've said before.
I used it as the main/key light for a set a few days ago; with only another bare alienbees head with some gel on it... I like how you can actually "control" how the light drops...
- Large Silver PLM & White shaft -
You might find the following interesting.
Not that much processed, only a cool +35 contrast thing in Capture One did most of the job!
Whoa. You've improved immensely. I had a look at some of your previous PLM shots back when you posted the links and was a little underwhelmed. Way better now.
Of course, I feel compelled to add that it could just be that this set matches my biases more closely than previous work. Still - nice stuff.
