You don't know what an Einstein does yet. You can't compare by dollars per WS unless all you want is WS. For that, buy a Zeus 2500WS for under $1000 - $.40 per WS an AB1600 for a tad over $.50. Adorama will sell you a lead anchor for even less than that.

An Elinchrom 600WS goes for $1000 and doesn't begin to compare with Einstein. Same with Hensel, Profoto and about every other "real" brand. The closest comparison is Bron Grafit at about $8000 and it still doesn't compare.

There's new features in Einstein that haven't been mentioned yet - major features.

I am shooting for $500 for Einstein 500 (don't quote me yet) and I guarantee what you pay and what you get will make you grin from ear to ear.

Luap,

Asking from a true beginner who doesn't have a set of lights yet. If you were to start from nothing, would you wait and go with the Einstein 500 or would you go with the WS 1600? This is for a person who doesn't have a lot of money (College Student) so want to make this count.

Thanks

Were it me I would start with an AB800 and shoot through umbrella.

Agreed. I did the same when I first started out. Solid advice.

Did forget one thing, I do have a SB-800. How would people recommend me to shoot with a single AB800? Use the SB800 on the shoe and use the AB800 Camera Left with a reflector. I plan on only shooting indoor portraits for the moment.

Use a foam core reflector.

One light. One umbrella. One reflector.

You nail that down and the rest is easy. If you outgrow the SB800 you mentioned in another post, the aforementioned AB 800 is a great consideration.

Well, I was just going by what you said... I didnt know ... what other way to compare prices.. so I used ws And being that u said -slightly more- I tried to make a comparison.

But if u keep it at near $500 for the 500ws my math was not too off =)

If it wasn't for our USA - factory direct methods and, if I might be so humble, my engineering abilities, nobody would (could) sell an equivalent light for less than $1200 - $1500. They could also not do this without selling the large number of lights we sell.

Same with CyberSync. Anything comparable is from $100 to $300 instead of $59.95 and they sure won't give you all your money back for a trade from RFT1. Believe me, we lose money on each trade back, but we'll get it all back in the long term.

AMEN Paul!!

I can't wait to get my CyberSynchs!!

I have a set of PW Plus and It's going in the Backup Pile, I plan to use my CyberSynchs in the studio and Location.

What is going to be the Biggest Einstein?? In W/S that is!!

750 W/S?? Or more??

I hope so!! I will get 10 of them to replace my Aging Speedo System.

Right now I have two sets going and I'm using 9 Speedo 102A Heads and Five Speedo Packs!!

Y

Einsteins will be 512WS and 1024WS. Same size - quite close to a WL1600. They are extremely compact for what's in them and built somewhat like a Mac - with slots for the boards and minimal wiring harnesses or wasted space. They have variable speed fan and all sorts of temperature protection and solid cooling system.

SWEET!!!

I can't wait!! the 1024's are what I need!!

Ten of them will serve me very nicely!!

Time to start cleaning up my Speedo stuff for a massive Ebaying!!

So, sometime this year for the release of the 1024's??

Thanks

Y

Probably October - it's not easy to pinpoint any closer right now.

or donating to a local, poor phoenix photographer


Rocksteady,
Danno~

Is it safe to assume that the 500's will be out at the same time, or might they come out sooner?

Either way, I am really impressed with what you are doing with these lights. "Steve Jobs, eat your heart out" type thinking, here.

Any idea when we will be getting preliminary (or final, even) drawings/specs? I am not trying to push you to present information before you are ready, I'm just really excited about this.