Anyone go from Elinchrom to Einsteins? What did you think?

Hey all.

I am currently standardized on Elinchrom lighting. I use a Ranger Quadra for on-the-fly location shooting like weddings and portrait shoots. It's wonderful.

For indoor and less dynamic shooting, I use a set of BX500Ri lights. These get used for portraiture and I take them for commercial shoots. They work well for me for my architectural work.

I'm thinking I want to step up my level of control of the lights. I like the idea of the elinchrom iPhone app to control light parameters of multiple lights. But I also like the Cybercommander setup of the Paul C Buff family.

I've always liked the color output and consistency of Elinchrom. I didn't mind paying a premium compared to PCB products just to get that. But now the Einstein also boasts colour consistency, so now I really don't see much of an advantage for Elinchrom.

So I figure if i was going to overhaul my lights, then I should look into other options too.

These are the two setups I'm thinking of:
Elinchrom:
2 x Style 300RX
2 x Style 600RX
4 x Skyport RX
1 x Skyport transmitter
1 x Skyport wifi for iOS
1 x iPod touch 3rd gen
Keep Ranger Quadra

PCB
5 x Einstein 640
5 x Cybersync CSXCV tranceiver
1 x Cyber Commander
1 x Vagabond Mini

So I'd basically use one Einstein and the Vagabond mini as a replacement for the Ranger Quadra.

I can buy a whole set of PCB softboxes and still come in a cheaper than the Elinchrom setup.

I also like the idea of the cybercommander better than just using an iOS app. Mostly because the Cyber Commander seems much more comprehensive and powerful, and also because I don't have an iPhone and I cringe at the thought of buying an iThing again.

So I'm wondering if anyone has experience switching teams. Is the colour consistency of the Einstein really as good as it claims to be? How is it like carrying an Einstein and Vagabond Mini as opposed to a Ranger Quadra? How does the build quality compare? (I'm a working pro I have no time to baby my gear and be careful) Are the PCB units noisier or quieter?

Basically, anything anyone can comment on would help me a lot.

Thanks!

Hi Lloyd

I picked up a BXRi500 from a member that went over to the darkside

I love my Elinchrom gear, except for my skyport transmitters. Effing inconsistent triggering.

You can take my elis from my cold dead hands.

I can't even fathom switching over to a PCB product. *NOT* trying to start a flame war here, but pcb products break a whole lot more. Great customer service aint #$%^& when you're in the middle of an important shoot. Most of my buddies with PCB have gear issues on the regular. Elinchrom friends do not.

The cyber commander looks awesome! http://youtu.be/vupZn6​xOvpM

Wow, that really is several steps ahead of anything anyone else is doing with regards to remote operation of lights.

I love my Elinchroms, and the Skyport is fantastic, I have each of BxRi's set to a different group so I can adjust them separately, but the Cyber Commander takes that beyond the next level.
Having a built in light meter is just fantastic.


I can see why you would want to consider it over the Elinchroms, and to be honest, if I was buying now, I would be looking very seriously at the Einsteins.

Cathpah wrote in post #14065282
You can take my elis from my cold dead hands.

I can't even fathom switching over to a PCB product. *NOT* trying to start a flame war here, but pcb products break a whole lot more. Great customer service aint #$%^& when you're in the middle of an important shoot. Most of my buddies with PCB have gear issues on the regular. Elinchrom friends do not.

Well to be honest, this is one of my concerns. Are these friends you're talking about using Einsteins? Or the cheaper Bees or something?

Also, can anyone comment on the quality and durability of the PCB softboxes and modifiers? I use currently use Lightrein softboxes which are absolutely TOP NOTCH quality, they make my Chimera softboxes look pathetic. But Lightrein doesn't make a PCB compatible speedring, which breaks my heart.

Moppie wrote in post #14065347
The cyber commander looks awesome! http://youtu.be/vupZn6​xOvpM

Wow, that really is several steps ahead of anything anyone else is doing with regards to remote operation of lights.

I love my Elinchroms, and the Skyport is fantastic, I have each of BxRi's set to a different group so I can adjust them separately, but the Cyber Commander takes that beyond the next level.
Having a built in light meter is just fantastic.


I can see why you would want to consider it over the Elinchroms, and to be honest, if I was buying now, I would be looking very seriously at the Einsteins.

Yeah, the Cyber Commander looks amazing. It makes the Elinchrom iOS app look sad and inadequate. It looks interesting enough that I'd consider switching even if I didn't need to. Why couldn't Elinchrom have a device like this? I know they have PC remote control software which is super duper cool, but having FULL control of all your lights ON-CAMERA is so much more useful to me than having it all controlled on a laptop inconveniently sitting on a table.

picturecrazy wrote in post #14065422
Also, can anyone comment on the quality and durability of the PCB softboxes and modifiers? I use currently use Lightrein softboxes which are absolutely TOP NOTCH quality, they make my Chimera softboxes look pathetic. But Lightrein doesn't make a PCB compatible speedring, which breaks my heart.

if you are happy with your softboxes and they are using an elinchrom speedring jerry kacey makes a pcb to elinchrom adapter.

Lloyd, do you still have your PW flex?? If you do you can also add an AC3 and powerMC2 (JUST an option for "on the fly location work") AC3 is clicks away on a mechanical thumbwheel.

Lloyd also add a CST (cybersync trigger) and use the C commander as a remote control only. The cybersync trigger is BULLET PROOF. Cyber Commander works extremely well but it'll take a little while to navigate quickly.

The cooling fans go on non stop on the Einsteins. But the Vagabond mini's seems to play nice even if the cooling fans run.

Cost wise you could pick up alot of Einsteins and have spares for backup compared to buying Eli RX series.

I use the bowens quick ring and balcar insert for my Einsteins. They work well but you cant compare the locking system of an Eli to a 4 finger Einstein locking system. The Bowens quick ring easily adapts any softbox. I like to use photoflex softboxes since the quality is excellent for a reasonable price. The quickring collapses so it takes me from start to finish opening up a 7 foot octadome....2 minutes??? maybe 3min with NO effort!!!!

Elinchrom is spendy but Paul C buff loves to rip off customers on inflating their shipping costs (it appears they make substantial profit on shipping)

Einstein weakness seems to be the locking mechanism.

hard call Lloyd

Lloyd,

wouldn't the Lightrein rods fit in a bowen quick ring???? then you can use the balcar/einstein insert to adapt to the Einstein.

picturecrazy wrote in post #14065422
Well to be honest, this is one of my concerns. Are these friends you're talking about using Einsteins? Or the cheaper Bees or something?

Also, can anyone comment on the quality and durability of the PCB softboxes and modifiers? I use currently use Lightrein softboxes which are absolutely TOP NOTCH quality, they make my Chimera softboxes look pathetic. But Lightrein doesn't make a PCB compatible speedring, which breaks my heart.

If they're above chimera, the PCB quality will make you weep with regret.

Don't. Do. It.

I think the Bowens quick ring will work with the Softboxes you currently own.

I just noticed the Einsteins have an actual flash counter.

As far as weight is concerned I recall the weight of the Einstein and vagabond mini is actually lighter than an Elinchrom Quadra setup. The VML's battery last a long time but also the spare battery is extremely small to lug as a spare.

Something to consider is to buy 1 einstein/ VML and use it as if its like your quadra. You'll get a feel if you like the Einstein or not. It'd be a shame to do a major purchase and discover you didn't care for the Einstein much or if you feel spending a substantial $$ on Eli.

I have to say this is a switch that I would never consider. I got a chance to use a friends Einsteins the other day, and while they work just fine, I was really put off by the build quality. The overall lack of polish to the strobes themselves as well as that of the software on the cybercomander. This is not to say that they don't work or do the job as advertised but the Elinchom hardware and software just has a much more polished feel to it. In regards to replacing a ranger quadra with a Einstein/Vagabond mini don't forget about the difference in in air weight, there will be quite a difference in the amount of weight out on a boom or for a poor assistant to hold out on a pole. Just something to consider.

Damian75 wrote in post #14067897
I got a chance to use a friends Einsteins the other day, and while they work just fine, I was really put off by the build quality.

I've never used Einsteins, but I can tell you Quadra heads aren't built well at all.

I've had nothing but luck with my Elinchrom gear.

I wish Eienstein had handle to grab them. Big oversight as these strobes are heavier than the Alien Bees. Durability wise haven't used Einstein much but have dropped AB800 couple of times and never ever a problem with them. Folks say it is all plastic but what do you expect for $250.

carrying wise I have no issues. It is still light weight setup. I use avenger A420 lighstand with 37" octa or kacey dish. Just roll the thing, no need for no sand bags but I am not using the boom, max 40" grip arms. Being handicapped I have no problem with this setup.

Now why do you want to move? For working pro I would rather move to Profoto.