Comparing the Einstein to the AlienBees

Wanting more control of the lighting in my photographs, I have started down the path of artificial lighting. With a modicum of research into studio lighting options, an amateur photographer inevitably encounters the Paul C. Buff line of studio strobes. Since there is generally positive sentiment toward both PCB lights and the company's integrity, I decided to invest in them. Perhaps another brand would be a better purchase for the long term when you factor in modifier options, but since this is my first set I believe it will be sufficient.

The Einstein bests the AlienBees in shorter t.1 value, greater power range, and color accuracy. For those of you who have used both, what practical benefits do these features translate to? In particular, is an ND filter on an AlienBees a workable solution to the three problems of t.1 duration, lack of low power range and color accuracy?

The AB compared to the Einstein is like last year's technology compared to next year's.
If you can afford them get the Einsteins.
If you can't afford them get the ABs. They are fine lights and the color shift is over blown in my opinion.

frugivore wrote in post #12255987
The Einstein bests the AlienBees in shorter t.1 value, greater power range, and color accuracy. For those of you who have used both, what practical benefits do these features translate to? In particular, is an ND filter on an AlienBees a workable solution to the three problems of t.1 duration, lack of low power range and color accuracy?

The shorter flash duration is better able to freeze motion, though it hasn't been a big difference in my use. With the Alien Bees strobes, I find that the B800 works for indoors, but I need the extra stop of the B1600 outdoors often, while the B1600 is too much power in the studio. The Einstein is flexible enough for both, and makes a lot more sense pragmatically and financially than buying a B800 and B1600. ND film can be cumbersome, and can add to a color cast. The color cast is overblown in my opinion as well, but I wouldn't want to take the time for extra steps. The more precise control of the Einsteins are quite nice as well. Well built, more consistent power output, no color shift, and the range to do indoor and out well? You decide if it's worth it for you, but it definitely is for me.

yes, the power range of the einstein is the reason i like it so much. it has the power of the b1600 and can be dialed down enough to play nice with small speedlights. that said, one thing about the old alien bees is that they're ultra-portable. you could pack two b800s in a small backpack and not break a sweat carrying them around all day. the einsteins feel relatively heavy.

dmward wrote in post #12256794
The AB compared to the Einstein is like last year's technology compared to next year's.
If you can afford them get the Einsteins.
If you can't afford them get the ABs. They are fine lights and the color shift is over blown in my opinion.

When I start to worry about the cost, I just remind myself that just one of my wife's purses is worth 4 E640s.

anlenke wrote in post #12257109
The Einstein is flexible enough for both, and makes a lot more sense pragmatically and financially than buying a B800 and B1600.

You can say the same about White Lightnings. Of course, they don't come with the movement stopping flash durations.

mizer357 wrote in post #12257316
that said, one thing about the old alien bees is that they're ultra-portable. you could pack two b800s in a small backpack and not break a sweat carrying them around all day. the einsteins feel relatively heavy.

This never occurred to me. However, weight is generally not an issue with me.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Any others?

frugivore wrote in post #12258230
When I start to worry about the cost, I just remind myself that just one of my wife's purses is worth 4 E640s.

haha... yeah, if you're hesitant about purchasing overpriced gear, you can always reassure yourself by perusing through your spouse's handbag collection.

I have two Es and an AB400.
The Es can dial down and work nicely with the AB400 in the studio.
Granted I run the AB400 raw, and have modifiers on both Es most of the time.

They look like something from The Terminator sitting up there on the stand all pretty...and pretty MATTERS!!!

Keep in mind t.1 is pointless with out knowing the t.5 --- as in... sure it gets to full power in 0.00000001 seconds.... but it takes 5 minutes to zero out. That said the Einstines have nothing to worry about. My point is only, the t.1 alone is not a good indicator.

With all the 'faults' that the AB line has. There are far to many "pros" useing them to think they are anything to worry about. Are there better choices? sure, but there always are better choices. The Einstines are one that is better. They are better at just about everything than the AB's. If you can buy them I would say go with them hands down. But if you dont want to put that kind of money into them. Then the AB's can be a good choice as well. I doubt they will dissapoint someone new to lights. And you can upgrade as you feel the need.

Mark1 wrote in post #12258915
Keep in mind t.1 is pointless with out knowing the t.5 --- as in... sure it gets to full power in 0.00000001 seconds.... but it takes 5 minutes to zero out. That said the Einstines have nothing to worry about. My point is only, the t.1 alone is not a good indicator.

With all the 'faults' that the AB line has. There are far to many "pros" useing them to think they are anything to worry about. Are there better choices? sure, but there always are better choices. The Einstines are one that is better. They are better at just about everything than the AB's. If you can buy them I would say go with them hands down. But if you dont want to put that kind of money into them. Then the AB's can be a good choice as well. I doubt they will dissapoint someone new to lights. And you can upgrade as you feel the need.

Good point...the resale value on the ABs are great. So you can recoup a lot of your cost if you decide to upgrade in the future!!!

If you run Radiopopper JrX Studios to remote control power, they won't work w/ the Einstein.
You can use gels to tame the power of ABs to avoid setting them to power below 1/8 but it's easier w/ the Einstein.

Mark1 wrote in post #12258915
Keep in mind t.1 is pointless with out knowing the t.5 --- as in... sure it gets to full power in 0.00000001 seconds.... but it takes 5 minutes to zero out. That said the Einstines have nothing to worry about. My point is only, the t.1 alone is not a good indicator.

I'm a little confused. Do you have these values backwards?

Mark1 wrote in post #12258915
Keep in mind t.1 is pointless with out knowing the t.5 --- as in... sure it gets to full power in 0.00000001 seconds.... but it takes 5 minutes to zero out. That said the Einstines have nothing to worry about. My point is only, the t.1 alone is not a good indicator.

I think that you're off on your understanding of t.1 vs. t.5 times. The t.1 times measure the duration of time where the flash stays over 10% of the peak intensity (while t.5 measures the time over 50%). This is the reason why t.1 times are always longer than t.5 times. The lead-up to the maximum intensity doesn't change much going from 10% --> 50%, but the tailing off takes a lot longer go get back down below 10% than it takes to decay below the 50% mark. It has been my experience that the t.1 times make more of a difference when you're trying to overpower the ambient with the flash with a moving target (i.e. sports). For studio work, I don't really see why people would worry about the flash durations unless they're doing jumping shots, blowing hair, etc. that would be moving reasonably fast.

The Einsteins are somewhat unique in their flash durations because they actively chop off the "tail" of the flash duration to lower the power (like speedlights do). This makes the flash duration faster as you go to lower powers because you're getting below the 10% threshold much, much faster with this active quenching approach.

frugivore wrote in post #12259481
I'm a little confused. Do you have these values backwards?

Ooops, I do. I should stop typing while on the phone!

mizer357 wrote in post #12258283
haha... yeah, if you're hesitant about purchasing overpriced gear, you can always reassure yourself by perusing through your spouse's handbag collection.

hahaha this is awesome. I just bought my girlfriend a Mercedes....I think I'm entitled to just about anything I want... may have to use this