MicrostockGroup

I have a couple of Alien Bees AB800s and they've worked OK but I've never been overly impressed with the quality.

The new Einsteins look pretty impressive and I was considering going that route but after adding up all the costs I found I could get a midrange pro setup from Elinchrom, Bowens, or Hensels for the same or less. So I'd like to see if I'm missing anything with another system and I'm leaning toward the Elinchroms.

Anybody use any of these lights or just the brands in general? Pros/Cons?

Bowens Gemini 500R
Elinchrom BX-Ri 500
Hensel Integra Pro 2

I have the Elinchrom D-Lite 4 set and I've been very happy with it.  I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to studio lighting and I've had no problems with it - very easy to set up and use, sturdy stands and it integrates with almost all of the other Elinchrom items so when I'm ready to expand I won't be left with something I can't use.  I have a former co-worker that went pro with his photo work and he's a big fan of Elinchrom.  I think he's using the BX line.  After about a year of using them with no problems I'd definately recommend them.

Cool thanks. Do you have the Skyport and if so do you like it?

Same here. I have 2 sets of the D-Lite 4 (the original version and also the later version with the integrated TX/RX) and have been using then since 2007. I must have undertaken well over 100K shutter operations and have yet to experience any issues. I've not even had to replace a modeling lamp, flash tube or fuse so far. Very consistent light output. They are so much better than the cheap rubbish I bought off Ebay when I started doing microstock __ those turned out to be a very expensive mistake in retrospect.

I've used the Elinchrom you mention in a studio I rent every once in a while and they work just fine.  I have a Ranger RX Speed AS and I absolutely love the setup.  I've used both with pocketwizards instead of the skyport system.

I've used different things around town at different studios I rent from...my opinion is they all work.  Paul C. Buff and White Lightening seem to be very popular.  If/when I buy my own dedicated studio set, I've decided I'm going to spend the money on Avenger stands, and whatever light set I do use, I'm going to make sure they are pocketwizard compatible, they have an internal fan (I've seen non air-cooled monolights overheat, smoke, and smolder to a slow death), and have a fast enough flash duration where I can stop dancers.  I don't do much with dance, but I'd like to have the opportunity.  I've been checking out Profoto lately but I have not used them.

Edited to add:  I would get as much power as you can.  The flexibility will be worth it.

Yes, the kit came with a Skyport and it works just fine - I just had to open the box, set it up and a half hour later I was ready to shoot without having to get anything extra.  I shoot a lot of food shots, smaller tabletop images, etc., so this set works for me since I haven't yet needed more power.  It's worked consistantly from day one.  I would have gone for the BX line but it just wasn't in the budget and knowing I could add to the set was a big plus.

I've done a lot of reading up on Einsteins, as I'm looking at maybe buying 4 of them in the future. From what I understand, they are in a TOTALLY different ballpark for Paul Buff gear. There's three big reasons I'm looking at them:

1.) Fast - as fast as any battery powered strobe. You could call them strobes on roids, and not many monolights out there can do what these units do speed wise.

2.) Constant color mode

3.) Cybercommand. What I really like about the cybercommander is the ability to dim any lights modeling light in real time from my camera. That's just sick and I would make huge use of that feature. You actually have full control over the entire fixture, power up, power down, dimming, settings, EVERYTHING.

There's my 2 cents.

I have used them all. Profoto, are cumbersome stuff, useless for portabillity but great for products, Broncolor is what I use nowdays, the new series Elinchromes seem terrific and really they are enough for todays digital photography. They are also very portable units with a massive back-up of spares and accessories.
They are also good prices on these units.

Yep, they have some pretty impressive specs and that's what I was considering at first. But after adding up the costs to replace the bees, get Cybersync, it would be about the same cost as the Elinchrom and Bowens systems I mentioned.

I'm just checking out different systems to see what I'm going to stick with so I may buy an Einstein at some point to evaluate it.

Good to know thanks. I was curious about the service.

What's wrong with the skyport?

I'm going to hold on to my Bees while I try out other stuff.

Another thing I like about the cyber snyc system is the clean integration it has with the strobes. You really can't beat that kind of design.

The only reservation I have about the Einsteins is build quality. I've never held one before. I'm used to using film lights made out of steel and aluminum. Heck, I actually hate how my SB-800 feels... I wish speedlights were made out of metal instead of plastic.