Click for a larger Image

Link to their website: http://www.paulcbuff.com/pcb2009/einstein.html

THE NEW PAUL C. BUFF EINSTEIN

EINSTEIN 640 – PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

POWERING:

• Auto switches to operate from 95VAC to 265VAC, 50 or 60Hz with no user attention or adjustment required.

  RECYCLE TIME:

• 1.7 seconds to full 640WS at 120VAC, 60Hz or at 240VAC, 50Hz.
• Cycle time proportionally decreases as power setting is reduced.

  CONTROL CIRCUIT POWER:

• Can tolerate power line voltages as low as 35VAC from Vagabond or similar pure sine inverters without crashing.
• Many competitive digital flash units crash if input voltage falls below about 80 to 90VAC.

  INITIAL SURGE AC CURRENT AT 120VAC:

• In spite of the fast 1.7 second recycle time at 640 true WS, the initial recycle surge current is 16A and tapers down to 5A during the recycle period.
• This is slightly lower than previous Buff monoflash units and most competitive lights of similar power.
• When operated at 240VAC, 50Hz the surge and operating currents are approximately half the 120VAC values.
  MODELING LAMP:
• Uses a standard, relatively inexpensive 120V, 250W bayonet-style quartz modeling lamp.
• Precisely voltage-controlled to maintain consistent luminosity and to track flash power within plus or minus 1/10 f-stop at any AC input voltage and any power setting within its specification.
• No user intervention or lamp changing is required to operate at different AC line voltages.
• The design of the modeling lamp regulator is proprietary to Paul C. Buff and yields dramatically less interference transmitted back to the power line in comparison to the unregulated and inaccurate household-style “phase control” dimmers used in most flash units.

  FROSTED PYREX DOME:

• Protects the lamps from damage and serves to reduce UV emission from the flash tube.
• Equalizes the effective size and shape of the modeling lamp and flash tube.
• Modeling lamp filament is in exactly the same focal point as the UV-coated flash tube.
• Results in an extremely close relationship between flash and modeling light.
• Vastly diminishes the effect of any design or manufacturing anomalies in reflectors.
• The dome and lamps are removable and user-replaceable.

  REFLECTOR:

• The Einstein does not include a reflector. We recommend a 8.5" High Output Reflector for general purpose use.

  POWER CONTROL RANGE:

• Uses multiple IGBT devices to allow a 9 f-stop (2.5WS to 640WS) flash power range.
• Adjustable in precise 1/10f steps from the rear panel or via Cyber Commander when optional CSXCV transceiver is plugged in.
• Voltage regulation consistency is typically accurate to better than 1/50f at 640WS and 1/10f at 2.5WS. Setting accuracy is typically within plus or minus 1/10f over the entire operating range.

  COLORS AND MODELS:

• Initially, EINSTEIN will be offered in only one model (640WS) and only in black. This is because of the exceedingly low 2.5WS minimum power and the relatively small cost advantage gained by offering a lower-powered version. Another factor is that, unlike AlienBees, Zeus or White Lightning and most competitive models, shorter flash durations are obtained from a 640WS EINSTEIN than could be obtained from a lower-powered EINSTEIN.

  FLASH DURATION AND COLOR TEMPERATURE:

• Proprietary IGBT allows flash duration to dramatically decrease as power settings are lowered. This is opposite to conventional studio flash designs where the duration lengthens and the color temperature falls when power is reduced.
• Two distinct operation modes are available from the rear panel:
  • CONSTANT COLOR mode – the emitted color temperature is held constant at 5600K plus or minus 50K at any power setting or input voltage. At Full Power, the t.5 flash duration is 1/1600 second and the t.1 time is 1/540 second. As power is reduced to ½ power the color remains constant, while the flash duration decreases to approximately 1/1700 second t.1 (note that with IGBT control, the t.5 spec is no longer meaningful, so only the t.1 flash duration appears on the rear LCD display). As power is further decreased, the color temperature remains constant and the t.1 flash duration falls ultimately to 1/9,000 second at the lowest power settings.
  • ACTION mode – the color temperature rises as power is reduced but the t.1 flash duration is minimized even further for maximum action stopping capability where absolute color consistency is secondary to motion freezing. At ½ power in ACTION MODE the t.1 flash duration is approximately 1/2000 second and the color temperature is approximately 5750K. Absolute values of flash duration and color temperature are indicated on the rear LCD display and are yet to be fully specified.

  READY INDICATOR AND FIRING FREQUENCY:

• An advantage of the IGBT flash control is that, at reduced power settings, the flash capacitors are not completely drained when the unit is fired. Therefore it is possible to perform a rapid sequence of shots. The READY state indication is selectable from the rear panel; READY state can be indicated by the audible beeper, by the modeling lamp dimming when fired and returning on when recycled, by both, or by none. The rear panel READY indicator always turns green when the unit is fully ready to fire.
• Can be fired before the READY state is reached. Depending on the power setting and number of frames per second being shot, this can produce successively increasing reductions of exposure value and color temperature in a rapid series of shots at relatively high power. In typical fast action sports shooting, setting the power to around 1/10 power (64WS) will allow frame rates or bursts on the order of five to ten frames per second with excellent frame to frame consistency and extremely sharp action freezing.

  REAR PANEL CONTROLS AND DISPLAY:

• In normal operation, the illuminated LCD display reverts to FLASH mode, as indicated by the blue icon box. Assuming the model lamp is set to TRACK FLASH mode, operating the ADJUST UP/DOWN buttons will raise or lower flash power in 1/10f increments per click.
• Holding one of the ADJUST buttons in will cause scrolling. The modeling lamp will follow the flash power for what-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) modeling previews.
• At each of the 90 possible power settings, the power reduction relative to full power, current t.1 color temperature, current t.1 flash duration, current flash WS, current modeling watts and current EU reference number are all displayed.
• All functions of EINSTEIN are accessible from Cyber Commander and the above-mentioned parameter is also shown on the Cyber Commander LCD.

  FUNCTION BUTTON:

• Pressing the function button cycles through the other LCD sub-screens to allow the user to set the desired function of each parameter, turning the selection function sub-screen blue for identification.

  MODEL SUB SCREEN:

• Assuming the model lamp is set to TRACK FLASH mode, operating the ADJUST buttons while in the MODEL sub-screen will introduce an offset between the model intensity and flash power.
• The model lamp will still track the flash, but with a different relationship of model watts to flash WS. This allows the user to set this ratio to match that of a different light(s) that might be in use so as to enable WYSIWYG modeling between dissimilar flash units. In past systems accomplishing this required physically changing the wattage of the modeling lamps.
• If the modeling lamp is set to be separately adjustable from the flash, operating the ADJUST button will independently raise or lower the modeling lamp intensity.
  REMAINING SUB-SCREENS:
• Allow the user to set the parameters of each function shown, including the frequency and channel used to communicate with Cyber Commander.
• After selecting any of the sub-screens, the LCD will automatically return to the FLASH sub-screen in ten seconds, as this is the primary screen used with the EINSTEIN once the parameters are set to the user’s needs.

  POWER SWITCH:

• Functions like a modern TV. That is, when turned OFF the CSXCV transceiver module remains powered. Because of this, the EINSTEIN can be remotely powered off or on from Cyber Commander.
• All current settings are remembered when the unit is powered off or unplugged. Thus, in a studio using multiple EINSTEIN lights and Cyber Commander, the user can shut down all the lights from the Cyber Commander when a session is finished, and turn them all back on the next day in the same manner.

  EASY SET:

• This is a recessed button used for instant setup to the most commonly used function parameters. When the EASY SET button is pushed, EINSTEIN is set as follows:
  • Model lamp tracks flashpower with no offset.
  • READY state is indicated by both modeling lamp dimming and by the beeper.
  • The slave sensor is turned on.
  • The unit is set to CONSTANT COLOR mode.
  • The CSXCV transceiver channel and frequency are both set to “1”.
• Thus, EINSTEIN is ready to use in plug-and-play fashion for most users. After pushing the EASY SET button the user can then use the function button to change any of the settings mentioned.
  NOT SHOWN:
• EINSTEIN also contains additional menu screens that allow the user to upgrade firmware, to set the LCD brightness, to set the delay time before reverting to the FLASH sub-screen and to perform other advanced setup information not yet defined.
  MICRO SD CARD SLOT:
• Features a plug-in slot for a standard 2GB Micro SD card.
• Used to upgrade the firmware via download or email should features be added in the future.
  TEMPERATURE CONTROL:
• A thermostatically controlled high velocity fan and improved airflow, coupled with multiple internal heat sensors and circuit fault detection assure reliable performance under the most demanding commercial shooting.
  SIZE AND WEIGHT:
• Approximately the same size as the AlienBees B1600 and very slightly heavier (~4lbs) due to the all-stainless steel improved accessory mount and the Pyrex frosted dome.
  WARRANTY:
• EINSTEIN has a 2 year factory warranty.
  MANUAL:
• Click here to download the preliminary operating instructions.
  PRICE:
• $439.95 USD

FULL DISCLOSURE – The information presented here is preliminary and deemed accurate, but is subject to change at any time.

FLASH DURATION EXPLAINED

Figure 1 depicts the typical characteristics of a Xenon flashtube. When the tube is fired there is rapid ionization period as the tube output rises to maximum brightness. This is followed by an exponential decline in tube current, voltage and light as the capacitors are discharged to zero.

The standard engineering term for stating flash duration is “t.5”. This describes the time it takes for 50% of the total flashpower to be dissipated. Whenever the simple designation “Flash Duration” is specified it can be assumed to be the t.5 spec.

However, the t.5 spec doesn’t adequately predict the actual motion freezing capability of a flash. There is a much longer trailing edge that continues to emit the remaining 50% of the light. This causes considerably more motion blur than the t.5 spec implies. In order to better compare flash duration specs to an equivalent shutter speed, the term “t.1” was introduced by the photo industry. t.1 specifies the time it takes for 90% of the total flash to be emitted. But even following the t.1 time there is still light being emitted at sufficient intensity to cause some ghosting or motion trails.

VARIABLE VOLTAGE CONTROL OF FLASHPOWER The vast majority of studio monoflash units, regardless of price, control the flashpower by varying the voltage to which the flash capacitors are charged. Figure 2 depicts such a flash when the power is reduced to 50%. Notice the discharge curve is similar to the Full Power curve, but that the intensity is reduced and the discharge time is slower. Both the t.1 and t.5 flash durations are longer because of the reduced voltage and flashtube current.

COLOR TEMPERATURE AND VARIABLE VOLTAGE Another result of the reduced voltage and current is a lowering of color temperature that is proportional to the amount of power reduction via voltage variable means.

SUMMATION OF VARIABLE VOLTAGE FLASH CHARACTERISTICS

Flash units using variable voltage power control can be summarized as exhibiting an increase of about 20% in flash duration time and about 75°K decrease in color temperature per f-stop of power reduction.

IGBT CONTROL OF FLASHPOWER

Essentially all low power camera flashes (speedlights) employ IGBT control of flash power instead of variable voltage control. This technology is easily implemented in low power units, but only recently have IGBT devices become available with sufficient power handling capacity for use in higher powered studio flash, especially those offering fast flash durations.

In looking at FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, it is seen that, in an IGBT flash, the voltage and current remain constant as power is reduced and that power is reduced by abruptly shutting the tube off once the desired amount of light has been emitted. This results in flash durations that become shorter and shorter as power is reduced, as well as the complete elimination of the exponential flash tail that is responsible for motion blur in non-IGBT flash units.

Notice in Figure 2 that a 50% power reduction in a conventional studio flash lengthens the t.1 flash duration from 1/666 second to 1/500 second while the same power reduction in an IGBT flash (Figure 4) shortens the t.1 duration to 1/2200 second and that the trailing edge tail is completely removed.

Figure 5 illustrates the extremely short 1/10,000 second t.1 time when the power is more dramatically reduced.

COLOR TEMPERATURE WITH IGBT CONTROL It should be understood that the color temperature of a flashtube is, in part, determined by the voltage and current at which it is operated. In Figures 1 and 3, the color temperature emitted is not constant throughout the discharge period. Rather, the color temperature is higher (more blue) at the beginning of the discharge and becomes lower (more red) as the waveform declines. Thus, it is the average of the beginning and ending color temperatures that form the effective color temperature for the exposure.

Speedlights typically produce higher and higher color temperature as power is reduced because of discarding the lower color temperature “tail” and keeping the higher color temperature initial portion.

EINSTEIN 640 When used in its CONSTANT COLOR mode, Einstein combines IGBT shutoff of the flash tube with an exacting digital adjustment of the capacitor voltage in order to achieve a constant 5600° +/- 50°K color temperature at any power setting. In ACTION MODE, Einstein allows the color temperature to rise slightly as power is reduced as a means of achieving the fastest possible flash durations. Both the t.1 flash duration and the color temperature are displayed on the rear panel LCD in all modes and at all power settings.

PLM SYSTEM™ PRINCIPLES

Parabolic reflectors are often misunderstood by photographers. A common response to the PLM™ system is: "That looks like an umbrella – it can’t possibly perform the function of those gigantic deep parabolic reflectors offered by other manufacturers." In a conventional deep parabolic reflector (see fig. 1) only a portion of the available light is directed to the parabola and is directed as a focused beam toward the subject. The remainder (shown in red) escapes as unfocused spill light. In the PLM™ system (see fig. 2) the special 7" reflector directs all of the light onto the 16 segment parabolic surface in an exact 180° field. 100% of the light is focused by the parabola and none escapes as direct spill light. The result is higher output than a deep parabolic system, virtually no spill light, extremely even coverage and a lightweight, portable system that can be mounted on standard light stands and easily transported and set up.

By positioning the light unit at the exact focal point, the silver PLM™ light modifiers produce an extremely high-output narrow shaft of light with smooth coverage and feathered edges. This results in very large, virtually round light sources that produce intense yet soft lighting due to the vast f-stop increase in subject illumination over softboxes or conventional umbrellas. Moving the light unit into the parabola slightly defocuses the beam to produce a wider pattern at slightly lower output. The optional front diffuser converts the Silver PLM™ into an exceedingly efficient softbox with exceptional evenness across the face and moderately wide illumination patterns. PLM™ umbrellas with white satin fabric form virtually round bounce or shoot-through light sources with extremely even surface brightness and wide smooth lighting patterns. Optional black covers and front diffuser panels offer a wide array of lighting styles.

The PLM Umbrella Reflector should be used in all configurations with Paul C. Buff, Inc.™ lights for optimal performance

• Silver 16 Rib Parabolic Umbrella: Silver inside, black outside. Projects a soft but narrow beam of light with a pattern and high output similar to a 40° reflector. Two to three f-stops more output than a typical softbox. Available in 86”, 64” and 42” sizes.
• White 16 Rib Parabolic Umbrella: White satin diffusion/bounce fabric. Projects a wide, soft beam for soft studio lighting with uncontrolled spill. Available in 86”, 64” and 42” sizes.

Optional:

Black Outer Cover Fabric: Eliminates unwanted back spill-light when used with the white umbrella, further maximizing the output in bounce mode.  Also ideal for use with White Front Diffusion Fabric.  (note: this cover is not needed with the silver umbrella).

Link for more information: http://www.alienbees.com/plm.html

The best part of this release is the pricing – most large umbrellas are much more expensive – I will probably have to give one of these a try in the white with black outer cover setup.

Well done over there on getting this segment for all of us big lens lovers…..

Sadly they will not allow embedding of their video so just check it out at their site

Zoom has revolutionized digital recording yet again with the first digital recorder with 16-track playback and 8-track simultaneous recording that utilizes Secure Digital (SD) memory. The new R16 recorder is three production tools in one incredibly versatile device. It’s a digital multi-track recorder, an audio interface and a control surface, providing you with all the tools necessary to create studio-quality recordings anywhere you need to.

The R16 combines a remarkable level of functionality with exceptionally intuitive design. For recording purposes, the unit supports up to 32GB SD cards, allowing more than six hours of recording using all 16 tracks. Additionally, the flexibility of SD recording not only makes the R16 lighter and more portable, it also ensures increased reliability with no concern for a crashing hard drive. You can even have respective SD cards dedicated to specific recording sessions.

With the ability to record up to 8 tracks simultaneously, it’s easy to capture a live band or even a complete drum kit. The R16 features built-in stereo condenser microphones for field recording or quick, convenient "sketch-pad" capturing of ideas and rehearsals. It also provides 8 balanced combination XLR-1/4-inch inputs along with one Hi-Z input for direct connection of guitar or bass.

USB operation means you can control each function of your favorite DAW software from the R16 for easy mixing with fine-tuned control. Incorporate any of the 100+ built-in studio effects to enhance your recording and use the pro-quality mastering effects to complete that studio sound. You can even connect two R16s via USB for synchronized operation and 16 tracks of simultaneous recording.

With the new Zoom R16, versatility, control and comprehensive features come together in a single device that puts the power to produce professional recordings right at your fingertips.

• Digital recorder with 16-track playback and 8-track simultaneous recording utilizing Secure Digital (SD) memory
• 24-bit/48kHz linear PCM recording in WAV format
• Built-in stereo condenser microphones
• Includes 1GB SD card and supports cards up to 32GB SDHC
• Allows simultaneous recording on up to 8 tracks
• Battery operation for remote recording
• USB power for studio operation
• 8 mic inputs / 2 outputs (8 x 2)
• 8 balanced combination XLR-1/4-inch inputs
• High-definition 24-bit/96kHz recording capability using digital audio software
• Built-in effects can be used as outboard effects as well
• Hi-Z input for direct connection of guitar or bass
• Includes preamp with phantom power on two channels
• Mackie control emulation via USB for popular DAW software including Cubase, Logic, Digital Performer and more
• Over 100 built-in studio effects coming from advanced DSP
• Amazing guitar amp and effects models
• Professional quality mastering effects, multi-band compressor, normalizer and more
• Operates as USB storage device for quick data transfer
• Connect two R16s via USB for synchronized operation and 16 tracks of simultaneous recording
• Undo/Redo functions
• Comes with Steinberg Cubase LE 4
• Supports Windows XP/Vista, Mac OS X operating systems

I would take a look at the R-Strap before you just get another old camera strap…

Hey at least they have videos:

Also a good real world review here on Chase Jarvis’s Blog – Click here

This is a very good article explaining options etc…

Click below to see the article:

http://twipphoto.com/archives/2345