Paul C Buff New Flash Annoucement

https://www.paulcbuff.​com/link-Flash-Unit.htm



FEATURES
9 f-stop power variability (3.1 Ws to 800 Ws)
Adjustable in precise 1/10 f-stops
All-digital control from LCD display
Global plug-and-play from 100 to 240 VAC
Available Modes: ACTION, COLOR, HSS (up to 1/8000 sec.), TTL
Action stopping flash durations as short as 1/15400 sec. (t.1)
Color consistency +/- 100K at any power
Bright, adjustable 800W Equivalent Daylight-Balanced LED Modeling Lamp
Rubber diffusion dome cover
Audible and visual recycle indicators
Built in battery connection

ARRIVES WITH
Magnetic rubber diffusion dome
LINK shipping cover
Flashtube
15' power cord
60-Day Absolute Satisfaction Guarantee
2-Year Factory Warranty
LINK Quick Start Manual

A package that includes the following items will be available for $1199.95 (+tax)
- (1) LINK 800WS Flash Unit
- (1) LINK Charger
- (1) LINK Battery
- (1) HUB remote (Canon or Nikon)


I have to admit, though, that I'm underwhelmed. Right now I've got one foot in Godox and one foot in PCB.
I was really hoping for something enticing from PCB, but this is not it. It's too little, too late, too heavy, and for too much money. IMO opinion, it can't even compete with White Lightning or Einstein.
The only commonality it has with the previous systems is the modifier mount. It's got an entirely new control system.

Even worse: It says "Made in China." That whirring sound you hear is Paul.

RDKirk wrote in post #18991482
https://www.paulcbuff.​com/link-Flash-Unit.htm



FEATURES
9 f-stop power variability (3.1 Ws to 800 Ws)
Adjustable in precise 1/10 f-stops
All-digital control from LCD display
Global plug-and-play from 100 to 240 VAC
Available Modes: ACTION, COLOR, HSS (up to 1/8000 sec.), TTL
Action stopping flash durations as short as 1/15400 sec. (t.1)
Color consistency +/- 100K at any power
Bright, adjustable 800W Equivalent Daylight-Balanced LED Modeling Lamp
Rubber diffusion dome cover
Audible and visual recycle indicators
Built in battery connection

ARRIVES WITH
Magnetic rubber diffusion dome
LINK shipping cover
Flashtube
15' power cord
60-Day Absolute Satisfaction Guarantee
2-Year Factory Warranty
LINK Quick Start Manual

A package that includes the following items will be available for $1199.95 (+tax)
- (1) LINK 800WS Flash Unit
- (1) LINK Charger
- (1) LINK Battery
- (1) HUB remote (Canon or Nikon)


I have to admit, though, that I'm underwhelmed. Right now I've got one foot in Godox and one foot in PCB.
I was really hoping for something enticing from PCB, but this is not it. It's too little, too late, too heavy, and for too much money. IMO opinion, it can't even compete with White Lightning or Einstein.
The only commonality it has with the previous systems is the modifier mount. It's got an entirely new control system.

Even worse: It says "Made in China." That whirring sound you hear is Paul.

Very likely subcontracted to someone else to create and build. PCB apparently does not even have design control implied by their own statement:

**Additional product information will be added as it becomes available.**

Huh??????? Makes me not interested. Have They lost control???

Angmo wrote in post #18991603
Very likely subcontracted to someone else to create and build. PCB apparently does not even have design control implied by their own statement:

**Additional product information will be added as it becomes available.**

Huh??????? Makes me not interested. Have They lost control???

Yeah. Paul Buff himself had been the company's innovation engine. I don't think the company will really recover from his loss.

Link? They couldn't come up with a better name?
Godox/Flashpoint is laughing all the way to the bank.

Godox/Flashpoint really put these other manufacturers %$#^ in the street. I just picked up a FP XPLORE 600 Pro and two Evolve 200 Pro's with a camera mounted transmitter, a c-stand with boom and a glow 38" Parapop and assorted gels, grids, domes, barndoor etc. for $1585. from Adorama over Christmas.

Profoto gets more than that for one B10. Not to mention that their transmitter costs over $400.00 alone.

For my abilities and pocketbook, it was a no brainer.

Buff is too late to the party. I've already moved on to godox for my location kit. I still have my bees and white lightning gear but it's likely confined to studio work.

I still remember that Paul C. Buff didn't support the idea of hss feature on a strobe.

http://www.paulcbuff-techforum.com/viewtopi​c.php?f=8&t=4968

nixland wrote in post #18991748
I still remember that Paul C. Buff didn't support the idea of hss feature on a strobe.

http://www.paulcbuff-techforum.com/viewtopi​c.php?f=8&t=4968

Paul's personal philosophy was that he was building studio electronic flash.

Studio electronic flash.

Studio electronic flash.

More of a product announcement, so too early to tell. PCB branding, marketing and product aesthetic have never been attractive. But if they focused on the PCB tradition, there may be one or two standout features like build quality and flash duration. These can give an edge to certain photographers.

Flash Duration (t.5) - in Action Mode 1/1,400 sec. (at full power) | 1/17,500 sec. (at minimum power)

Flash Duration (t.1) - in Action Mode 1/460 sec. (at full power) | 1/15,400 sec. (at minimum power)

Flash Duration (t.5) - in Color Mode 1/1,400 sec. (at full power) | 1/17,500 sec. (at minimum power)

Flash Duration (t.1) - in Color Mode 1/460 sec. (at full power) | 1/14,000 sec. (at minimum power)

The website price of $895 matches the 600 Pro. So with 800WS, PCB at least knows what they are targeting. It has a two year warranty compared to Adorama’s three years, but if serviceable by PCB in the US that could be enticing. The built-in trigger seems like a wildcard until tested in the field.

NDAPhoto wrote in post #18991866
More of a product announcement, so too early to tell. PCB branding, marketing and product aesthetic have never been attractive. But if they focused on the PCB tradition, there may be one or two standout features like build quality and flash duration. These can give an edge to certain photographers.

Flash Duration (t.5) - in Action Mode 1/1,400 sec. (at full power) | 1/17,500 sec. (at minimum power)

Flash Duration (t.1) - in Action Mode 1/460 sec. (at full power) | 1/15,400 sec. (at minimum power)

Flash Duration (t.5) - in Color Mode 1/1,400 sec. (at full power) | 1/17,500 sec. (at minimum power)

Flash Duration (t.1) - in Color Mode 1/460 sec. (at full power) | 1/14,000 sec. (at minimum power)

The website price of $895 matches the 600 Pro. So with 800WS, PCB at least knows what they are targeting. It has a two year warranty compared to Adorama’s three years, but if serviceable by PCB in the US that could be enticing. The built-in trigger seems like a wildcard until tested in the field.

That $900 is the bare bones flash unit. It costs $1200 to match the out-of-the-box functionality of the 600 Pro.

RDKirk wrote in post #18991872
That $900 is the bare bones flash unit. It costs $1200 to match the out-of-the-box functionality of the 600 Pro.

Consistent with past PCB pricing strategy for the specs. They were never the lowest, but users thought PCB prices were fair. As a prior user of Alienbees, White Lightnings, Einsteins, and everything Godox/Flashpoint, I’m just saying it is too early to know. It has probably been 8 years since they released a new strobe, but it resembles their pattern.

nixland wrote in post #18991748
I still remember that Paul C. Buff didn't support the idea of hss feature on a strobe.

http://www.paulcbuff-techforum.com/viewtopi​c.php?f=8&t=4968

Ironically also his last publicly discussed strobe concept was a 300Ws cordless unit, because he hated the idea of a heavy strobe mounted high on a light stand (and that was before the success of the AD200 etc).

To me the biggest question mark is the Balcar mount. Sure it appeals to the existing customer base, but they are rapidly in decline, how do you appeal to new customers when that battle was lost to the S-type mount some time ago.

NDAPhoto wrote in post #18991878
Consistent with past PCB pricing strategy for the specs. As a prior user of Alienbees, White Lightnings, Einsteins, and everything Godox/Flashpoint, I’m just saying it is too early to know. It has probably been 8 years since they released a new strobe, but it resembles their pattern.

I wouldn't agree. I found Buff stuff normally priced very low for the specs and usually with innovations not found elsewhere, which is where the value point for Buff was. This offering is both higher for the specs and void of innovation.

elv wrote in post #18991887
Ironically also his last publicly discussed strobe concept was a 300Ws cordless unit, because he hated the idea of a heavy strobe mounted high on a light stand (and that was before the success of the AD200 etc).

To me the biggest question mark is the Balcar mount. Sure it appeals to the existing customer base, but they are rapidly in decline, how do you appeal to new customers when that battle was lost to the S-type mount some time ago.

I have found DIY conversion of Balcar-mount modifiers to the S-mount to be pretty quick and simple, which doesn't help their case.

elv wrote in post #18991887
To me the biggest question mark is the Balcar mount. Sure it appeals to the existing customer base, but they are rapidly in decline, how do you appeal to new customers when that battle was lost to the S-type mount some time ago.

PCB kept the Balcar mount alive, perhaps only to be different. No one I know liked it. Their modifiers were also two steps behind. Yet their strobes always developed a following because they did one or two things other strobes did not do. I agree they will sink or swim with this.