Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Paul:

Big congrats on the Einstein front. On the subject of firmware, how about a diagnostic/debug mode - when enabled, the thing would record all appropriate settings, events and other telemetry to a log file on the flash card - from power-up continuously up to the point where the issue occurs (which might be user action, rf interference, power glitch, malfunction, bug, etc.). That file could be instrumental in cutting down the support time/cost interpreting, troubleshooting or replicating any issues going forward.

Alex

Sounds like it's doable as long as you can use the firmware to control the voltage to the caps? It'd just make it easier to integrate Einstein into studios w/ older AB/WL gear so it'll color shift w/ the rest (could even get it to color shift in the CC code that figures out what the predominant lights are). Thanks for thinking about it...I completely understand that other stuff takes priority though ;-)

Einstein and CC can do almost anything with firmware. But this takes a lot of time and we have to start with our best shot at it.

Or you can just gel the bees to bring them up to Einstein level or vice versa.

Legend has it that early on in the space race, a writing instrument was needed that could write upside-down or in weightlessness, not leak in the vacuum of space, not be affected by hot or cold, and even write underwater. After significant R&D an AG7 ball point pen was developed in the U.S. that overcame these significant challenges. ...And the Russians just used a pencil. ;-)

(In reality Fisher was not contracted by the government to develop the space pen, but once available, both U.S. and Soviet space agencies had adopted it and used alongside pencils and felt-tip pens). But you get my point. Sometimes complex problems have simple solutions that work 95% as good as an infinitely complicated 99.99% solution.

Alex

I get the feeling that it's time to stop my recent used medium format lens buying binge, and get the budget ready for Einstein... The Peoples Republic of New Jersey had it's first day of 60 degree weather since the start of winter today, and I just read the great news from PCB about the Einstein test. It's a good omen.... I wish I pre-ordered more than two. Anyone want to give up their place in line? :)

Anyone???

You can have mine. I moved on to some great lights already. I had reserved two. My friend and I were interested in the PLM and Vagabond II. Of course, it is not available. Is there a waiting list for everything here?.. LOL.

The gel would have to vary w/ power level, but yes, that's true. And with softboxes, you have some color cast in light anyways. It probably would have only mattered if you were running all your lights below 1/4 power level.

People tend to think the color shift VS power is an AB thing. It's not - you get the same on Elinchrom, Hensel, ProFoto or just about any other monolight. It's pure physics - color drops 75-80° per f stop of power reduction.

But Paul: Correct me if I am wrong, new Elinchrom have ability to adjust the color temperture as the power decrease.

It does? Please post a link if you have one. What model? Certainly not RX600 or D Lite. I have tested both completely and they have exactly the same color vs power curve as AB or anything else without IGBTs.