Light quality/color temp... Einstein vs Canon 600 EX RT

Hi,

Just out of curiosity I did a quick white balance test of the
Einstein E640 and the Canon 600 EX RT.

One at a time with similar settings.

The only difference was I used a Wescott umbrella with the 600 EX and a
Soft Silver PLM with the Einstein.

I'm planning on using the 600 EX as a background light or a hair light
and I wanted to see the difference between the two in regards to
color temp.

They were different of course.

The Einstein white balance card read 6000 although the flash was 5600.

The Canon 600 ex was 6500.

Not a totally scientific test, I know.

But I was also surprised that the Einstein with the PLM provided
a much nicer light source and the image seemed more defined as well.

I know I should probably post the images but they are on my other computer.

If anyone is interested maybe I can figure out how to upload them later.

Has anyone else done a similar comparison?

Craig

craigbeckta wrote in post #16030987
Hi,

Just out of curiosity I did a quick white balance test of the
Einstein E640 and the Canon 600 EX RT.

One at a time with similar settings.

The only difference was I used a Wescott umbrella with the 600 EX and a
Soft Silver PLM with the Einstein.

I'm planning on using the 600 EX as a background light or a hair light
and I wanted to see the difference between the two in regards to
color temp.

They were different of course.

The Einstein white balance card read 6000 although the flash was 5600.

The Canon 600 ex was 6500.

Not a totally scientific test, I know.

But I was also surprised that the Einstein with the PLM provided
a much nicer light source and the image seemed more defined as well.

I know I should probably post the images but they are on my other computer.

If anyone is interested maybe I can figure out how to upload them later.

Has anyone else done a similar comparison?

Craig

Not only will the color temp be different between the two light sources but you'll also see that the color temp also varies for the same flash if you vary the power level of the flash. My understanding is that the Einstein has a constant color temp mode wherein the color temp is supposed to remain constant over the entire power level range but I'm not sure how accurate that statement is since I don't have one to check out. I'm sure there's bound to be some variation in color temp but I don't know by how much.

Also different modifiers does change the white balance, and that's why I use a grey card to set my white balance for studio shoots.

Yaamon wrote in post #16033121
Also different modifiers does change the white balance, and that's why I use a grey card to set my white balance for studio shoots.

That's true, too. However, if you have two different types of modifiers and the color temps are way off from each other, a gray card is not going to help white balance both lights so there will be some color cast in parts of the picture. Most of the time, it doesn't matter, though, as long as the main lighting is white balanced.

I throw a 1/4 cto on my 430's to match them up with the einstein. Beings they are usually at 1/4 power or higher to keep up with the einstein I don't have to worry about color changes.

FYI, einstein shift +\- 50k in color mode throughout the range.

First, when using multiple lights and multiple modifiers for a shot, the likelihood that all will be the same K within a few hundred is slim. If you shoot a reference for the main to use to set the base white balance in post all will be good.

This is based on presumption that you are capturing the image and saving it as a raw file.

If you are using in-camera JPG processing all bets are off.

CptTripps wrote in post #16036353
I throw a 1/4 cto on my 430's to match them up with the einstein. Beings they are usually at 1/4 power or higher to keep up with the einstein I don't have to worry about color changes.

FYI, einstein shift +\- 50k in color mode throughout the range.

Do you know this for a fact or are you just mimicking what's posted on their web page?

I have not measured if that's what you mean.

I use power tracking and tend to jump all over the aperture/power range. In LR I can white balance one shot then "apply to all" with proper results. It was an important feature for me and although I can't say if it's exactly +/- 50 it does work.

CptTripps wrote in post #16038119
I have not measured if that's what you mean.

I use power tracking and tend to jump all over the aperture/power range. In LR I can white balance one shot then "apply to all" with proper results. It was an important feature for me and although I can't say if it's exactly +/- 50 it does work.

OK, thanks for the clarification.