Paul C. Buff Studio Equipment

For photographers that are beginning to delve into the "studio" aspect of photography, a very common recommendation seems to be the PCB line of lighting equipment: AlienBees, White Lightning, Einsteins and accessories. I am guessing that some of these PCB recommendations are coming from beginners that do not have anything to compare them to.

So I'd like to create a resource for potential buyers. If you have experience with any products from both PCB and other manufacturer's, please post some notes here to help beginners get a better idea of the differences. It does not have to be just lights - tell us about stands, modifiers, remotes and anything else.

For readability, tell us both products that you're comparing and give the pros and cons of each in point form.

PCB is really great for the amount of money it is worth, thats why many beginners, amateurs, and pros alike use them. Your really not going to find something so budget friendly compared to other brands. I have only used the PCB/alienbees line, so i cant tell you much about other brands.. the only cons are id say build quality, it looks flimsy.. but if you dont trash your equipment, you dont really have to worry much. also slight color casting at lower powers on AB's, although you can correct in post.. if its a BIG shoot, then you will run into consistency problems.

PCB makes great bang for the buck products. I look to them to buying lights, remote controls (cybersyncs), their batteries and their specialized light tools (basic reflectors and PLM). Asides from that, I look to other companies for modifiers and stands. I look to photoflex for their wide array of softboxes, and manfrotto/avenger for their grip tools.

The einsteins are the first PCB lights that I've ever owned for myself. I have used the AB line but it didn't feel up to snuff and I experienced color shifting when using 3-4 lights. The Einsteins help to eliminate that issue using their IGBT control feature.

I have used elinchrom's lights. I do find them to be better in terms of build quality however, it's definitely not within my budget as a hobbyist. At this moment, I am only making a casual nursing student income, and although photography is a top priority for spending (bad choice!), I just can't justify spending that much money yet. I promised myself that once i finish schooling, I'll upgrade to a more expensive lighting system.

I have used white lightning for 20 + years and they are great lights. I have 4 1200s that are 20 years old and still serve me well and they are not that expensive. For real power in the studio I would recommend black line speedotron.

Can anyone give some comparisons between the CyberSyncs and other radio triggers? Or perhaps compare light stands, modifiers?

Well my studio we use cybercyncs and PW. To me they are the same thing. Never had any issues with either brand. I have been using them for about 1.5 years now.

I don't have a full time studio, so I have to keep my lighting kit portable.
If I had a dedicated studio I would tend toward C stands because they are sturdy and easy to move around if on wheels.

For portability and strenght I have found that Calumet Photo has a nice group of stands. They are essentially the same as Manfroto. (I think Calumet OEMs them from Manfroto.)

Modifiers are very much a personal choice based on the way one wants to control the light.
I like modifiers that open like an umbrella, again to enhance portability. That is somewhat limiting; Buff has nice foldable softboxes and octaboxes. They are well built and do a nice job.

Fotodiox sells a collection of foldable softboxes and octaboxes using the Pro Studio Solutions EZ-Pro name on Amazon. They are lighter duty than the PCB foldables, but they also come is sizes not available from PCB.

As for triggers, the Cyber Syncs are very good. Work with just about any light that has a sync plug. And, if you are using PCB lights Einstein or AB/WL with the phone jack, the Cyber Commander is a nice tool.

Pocket Wizard Control TL is a nice system as well. There are modules that interface with PCB AB/WL units to remotely control power. And they are developing a module for the Einstein.

In my view they are not mutually exclusive.

frugivore wrote in post #11919649
Or perhaps compare light stands, modifiers?

I have a PCB light stand and 3 calumet lightstands, and have/had bags for each, from same respective companies. The PCB lightstand was total garbage--plastic, brittle, and bulky. I have it for emergency use only. The lightstand bag was likewise garbage--no padding, and the zipper broke after like two weeks.

The Calumet stands (air-cushioned) are cheaper, metal, and very smooth to operate. Their carry bag is padded, semi-rigid, and can fit three lightstands and a PCB medium softbox.

I really like my PCB medium softbox, but I don't have anything else to compare it to.

I really like my Alienbees (have two 800s), and the cybersync/receivers, but their accessories leave something to be desired.

I use the Savage 13ft. air cushioned light stands and love em.
http://www.adorama.com​/SALSB13AC.html

I also use use the Wescott Boom-arm's and really like them.
http://www.amazon.com …nter-Weight/dp/B000T4BE84

I use 2, AB 1600's and 1 AB800 with PCB PLM's softboxes and strip boxes.
Giant 30x60 softbox, 10x36 stripbox, 1 Silver and 2 White 64" V1, PLM's with diffusion and cover fabric.
2 86" Silver V2, PLM's with diffusion panels.

I've never used anything else, but I certainly like what I get for my money and the light quality is excellent.

I also have the AB 22" Silver HOBD

I use PWII's and have never used anything else.

I've looked at Elinchrom, but can't afford to buy anything at this time, so I'll stick with my PCB stuff

I like my results with my PCB equipment.

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frugivore wrote in post #11919649
Can anyone give some comparisons between the CyberSyncs and other radio triggers? Or perhaps compare light stands, modifiers?

I've used both cybersyncs, eBay triggers (pt-04tms, ctr-301s, ctr-301ps, cactus v2s, cactus v4s, pt04tm IIs... And others i have forgotten), flashwaves, and pocketwizards. I haven't had issues with either the cybersyncs nor the pocketwizard. I prefer using the cybersyncs outdoors where there isn't that much concrete surroundings. The concrete eats up the signal faster than you can say, "oh crap". The cybersyncs are great for small pocketable trigger sets. They should be the industry minimum whereas the pocketwizards are the standard.

Markitos wrote in post #11920371
I have a PCB light stand and 3 calumet lightstands, and have/had bags for each, from same respective companies. The PCB lightstand was total garbage--plastic, brittle, and bulky. I have it for emergency use only. The lightstand bag was likewise garbage--no padding, and the zipper broke after like two weeks.

The Calumet stands (air-cushioned) are cheaper, metal, and very smooth to operate. Their carry bag is padded, semi-rigid, and can fit three lightstands and a PCB medium softbox.

Are those the 13-foot PCB light stands that you had with the LSB48 bag? And which Calumets are those?

PC Buff gear is good stuff... used by beginners and pros alike. If you want Sherman Tank build quality and have no limit on your budget, the other stuff may edge it out. Me? I'm still happy with my 1985-vintage Buff White Lightning 5,000s and PLM 86 in. umbrella (new)... these are tools... you have to add the creativity and talent. I've seen stunning shots with next to nothing gear-wise and total crap from stuidos filled with the best gear!

Paul's got it right.
These are tools.
PLM is one of the best, most verist-al lighting modifiers every designed.

Easy to set up, great light, great flexibility and the price is a joke.

One thing that intrigues me is this perception that high end (profoto, speedaton, etc) units are more durable.

There are a couple of stores here that have a fair amount of used lighting equipment, much of it from their rental pools or stuff that someone has traded for newer.

It probably all works, but some of it looks like its been dragged behind a truck for a long time.

ABs have also proven that they will take a lickin' and keep on tickin'

For beginners, wouldn't it be great that you can try a product and return it if you don't like it? PCB give you 60 days, no question ask.

(Just do that with the Einstein or VML. Some of us don't mind to go to the restaurants with a long lines, and have been standing there for a long while )

frugivore wrote in post #11920812
Are those the 13-foot PCB light stands that you had with the LSB48 bag? And which Calumets are those?

Yes, yes, and for the Calumets I got this set: http://www.calumetphot​o.com …s_with_carry_ca​se/mf6045k

It was on sale for like $150 when I bought it, though.