kdphotography
Well-known member
This is about having champagne tastes and a beer budget: What to do when you want to take advantage of the Phase One 645DF and P40+/P65+ (and coming IQ series) MFDB's ability to wirelessly flash sync at speeds up to 1/1600, Marc keeps taunting you with Hensel's new Porty L1200 with Profoto Air and Hensel Pro Mini P Speed Heads---and all your 2011 cash is already nearly gone upgrading to that IQ series MFDB from Capture Integration? (Not to mention Don taunting me with a a Cambo WRS1050...)
You get cheap. Real cheap. It ain't pretty, but it works.
I picked up two of Paul Buff's new Einstein monolights (touted for short flash duration), a CST transmitter, and the new CSXCV receiver which is a small receiver unit that plugs into the top of the monolight. Previously Jack Flesher and I tried to use Buff's CST and CSR in an attempt to cheaply get to the 1/1600 wireless threshhold, but failed. The original CST and CSR combination was not much faster than the classic Pocket Wizards, despite the CST/CSR's claimed 1/2500th max flash sync. The CST in combination with the new CSXCV, however, is a game-changer. It works!
Quality-wise, there remains a bit to be desired, although the Einsteins are a step up from the alien bee units. The 8 inch reflector is a step up in quality from the previous 7 inch reflector. Fit and finish on the wireless CST leaves much to be desired, far from the usual smoothness of Pocket Wizards. It didn't matter which way I installed the CST into the camera hotshoe, it's just plain tight. I expect it will loosen up a bit with use.
In short: The CST/CSXCV combination it works. No signs of light loss or shutter creeping into the image. I tried both the default and forced LS CF selections on the DF. Both worked seamlessly up to 1/1600th wireless with Schneider 110mm LS. Apologies for the crappy images, but just a quick down and dirty test in studio. 1st image from my trusty G9 of the setup. 2d image from my 645DF, Phase P65+, Schneider 110mm LS. Single Einstein with CST and CSXCV. F/16 @1/1600
The Hensel L1200 Lithium remains on the buy list, but the Einstein's with CST and CSXCV provide an acceptable cheap workaround for now for wireless flash sync up to 1/1600th. Add the mini-vagabond lithium battery and the kit remains pretty portable.
ken
You get cheap. Real cheap. It ain't pretty, but it works.
I picked up two of Paul Buff's new Einstein monolights (touted for short flash duration), a CST transmitter, and the new CSXCV receiver which is a small receiver unit that plugs into the top of the monolight. Previously Jack Flesher and I tried to use Buff's CST and CSR in an attempt to cheaply get to the 1/1600 wireless threshhold, but failed. The original CST and CSR combination was not much faster than the classic Pocket Wizards, despite the CST/CSR's claimed 1/2500th max flash sync. The CST in combination with the new CSXCV, however, is a game-changer. It works!
Quality-wise, there remains a bit to be desired, although the Einsteins are a step up from the alien bee units. The 8 inch reflector is a step up in quality from the previous 7 inch reflector. Fit and finish on the wireless CST leaves much to be desired, far from the usual smoothness of Pocket Wizards. It didn't matter which way I installed the CST into the camera hotshoe, it's just plain tight. I expect it will loosen up a bit with use.
In short: The CST/CSXCV combination it works. No signs of light loss or shutter creeping into the image. I tried both the default and forced LS CF selections on the DF. Both worked seamlessly up to 1/1600th wireless with Schneider 110mm LS. Apologies for the crappy images, but just a quick down and dirty test in studio. 1st image from my trusty G9 of the setup. 2d image from my 645DF, Phase P65+, Schneider 110mm LS. Single Einstein with CST and CSXCV. F/16 @1/1600
The Hensel L1200 Lithium remains on the buy list, but the Einstein's with CST and CSXCV provide an acceptable cheap workaround for now for wireless flash sync up to 1/1600th. Add the mini-vagabond lithium battery and the kit remains pretty portable.
ken
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