Just got the Einstein E640

So I really have everything I honestly want, but I asked for an Einstein this Christmas and I received one!
This is my first light ever. Now, I am currently using a 5d3 and would like to put this bad boy to use. In order to make use of the flash, I know that I need a few things first(transmitter, stand, and modifier).

I am interested in a beauty dish. What would everyone recommend? I hear that the Paul Bluff BD's aren't really that great.
Whats a good, reliable Beauty dish that is not so expensive? Are all of them just plug and play (model of light doesn't really matter)?

Also, what Transmitter would everyone recommend? Should I go with the Pocket wizard, or the one by Paul Bluff which I hear can also control the settings on the Einsteins.

Any recommendations on stands would be great as well. I'd hate to purchase one and it be hard to use, cheaply made, won't work for the light or any other problem that can occur.

Thanks for all of the input. Im just VERY excited to shoot some things with my new light.


PS. I hope that everyone is enjoying their Christmas

Merry Christmas.
Get the Buff module for the Einstein and a CST for the camera and a Cyber Commander for controlling the light remotely. Anything else is much less capable. The CC will also function as a light meter.

PLMs, or Buff foldable soft/ocatboxes are good buys. I have a Fotodiox beauty dish that I like, its the really big one. Kacey beauty dish is also a great choice.

For light stands I like Calumet, they are good quality and relatively inexpensive. If you plan to use the Einstein in a studio a century stand is a great choice.

I have the Kacey with a speedring adapter to use on PCB units.

I use PocketWizards with the Einstein, specifically the TT1+AC3 and PowerMC2 for remote power control: http://www.ocabj.net …minitt1-ac3-and-powermc2/

The Cybersyncs are good too, but I use PocketWizards because I already own them.

PW TT1 is really very limited control for Einsteins. All it does is permit power range control over 6 stops while the CC will control over full 8 stop range, permit changing all the setting that are normally set on the back of the light. In fact, the CC takes control and over rides any settings made on the light. (Something to remember until you become comfortable using the CC for control).

I did some beta testing with the MC2 and it was disappointing because its limitations directly impacted what the uses I had planned. One additional limitation, which I asked them to fix and its apparently not possible, is that if one turns off the modeling light to conserve battery power when using a VML, the light comes back on when the Einstein it fired. Most confining, for me, is that all the PW options offers is remote power control. Everything else has to be done at the light.

Bottom line, for me, the ControlTL option is useful only if you want the Einstein to participate in ControlTL lighting scheme. Otherwise the Buff Cybe r Sync system is far superior in capabilities, and a great price as well.

yeah that's the bummer thing about the mc2 and pw's it's through a 6 stop range instead of the full 8 stops, but that's what i have and it's currently working pretty well for what i'm shooting,

great purchase, youll love this strobe!

Of all the light modifiers I have, I probably use the 47" Buff octabox the most. It's been opened and closed many times, and transported to locations shoots more times than I can remember over the last several years, and I've loaned it to various friends.... and it's hanging in there fine.
Get the grid with it too if you choose it.

I appreciate the burst of feedback lol.
So, if I were to get the Kacey or Fotodiox BD, I would need an adapter? Are they easily found?
I do hope that everyone is enjoying their holiday as I am. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to help with my questions as well. I'll have to hurry and purchase these items and get shooting. Maybe I'll be as good as you all one day haha

If you buy the 22" Kacey BD, just be sure when you order it, you order the speedring for the PCB Einstein. I love mine.

Whatever modifier(s) you get measure the outer diameter of the speedring adapter and get the appropriate Kacey adapter ring. He has one that is black and another that is white. The white one fits the Fotodiox BD perfectly. I think the black one fits the Buff foldables. (I should check since I have several.)

The big advantage of the Kacey adapters is that they are flat. Most Balcar adapters are cupped and don't get the flash tube into the modifier.


BTW, those with MC2s; If you need all 8 stops go into the setup utility PW provides and set the 6 stops to the upper range for one config and the lower range for the other config. Kind of a kludge but it works.

I wonder if I can purchase these Kacey products in Chicago. Did you order yours online dmward?

The current einsteins have the better clamping system. my V2 clamps sucks compared to the newer revision clamps. If possible try to have redundancy if your shooting important photos. My low mileage Einstien died on my mid way taking while taking clients xmas family photos. I only have 3 studio strobes and no spare for key light. I made a rush order for a 4th light for my lined up xmas family sessions. Under warranty PCB is shipping me a brand new fresh unit because its claimed to be too expensive to repair my dud unit. Now at least I have 2 new version clamps and 2 of the V2 clamps.

Get the kacey dish because of price and high quality.

As far as triggers are concerned I'd go with the cybersyncs. Its cheap and it is a solid product. I've invested $$$$ in my pocket wizard flex tt5 and power MC triggers and they are great for studio work......the PW flex units SUCKS for range and reliability with speedlites so dont buy those crappy products (1200 bucks worth of unreliable junk)

i have 4 v2's - their clamps still suck when holding large modifiers (3 of them were purchased last month)

So I need the cybesync commander to control the light(which goes on the hotshoe of the camera)
I also need the cybersync trigger(which goes on hotshoe of camera as well) for the light to go off when I hit the shutter on the camera
and I need the CyberSync Reciever that plugs into the light itself(which recieves the signal from the cybersync trigger)

is this information correct?


Also, what is the difference between the cybersync, and cybersync plus reciever?

Also, Im on the Kacey website, and I don't see the speedring for PCB equipment.
I DO see an adapter for $21 that says "Kacey AB/WL Adapter". Will that work for the Einstein?
So all I would need is the 22" Beauty Dish, and the adapter I just mentioned?

AAphotog wrote in post #15406996
So I need the cybesync commander to control the light(which goes on the hotshoe of the camera)
I also need the cybersync trigger(which goes on hotshoe of camera as well) for the light to go off when I hit the shutter on the camera
and I need the CyberSync Reciever that plugs into the light itself(which recieves the signal from the cybersync trigger)

is this information correct?


Also, what is the difference between the cybersync, and cybersync plus reciever?

The CST is a small trigger that is much easier to keep on the camera and then use the CC as an in-your-hand/pocket light controller and light meter. It can go on the camera as a trigger so it makes a good backup for that.

The Plus receivers are for older AB and WL units to allow them to be remotely controlled via the CC. Nothing for you to concern yourself about since you have Einsteins.

Send an email to Kacey and he will make sure you get the proper adapter for the beauty dish. It sounds like you found the proper unit. AB/WL and Einstein adapter rings are all the same.