Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I'm a newbie in lighting and in the process of ordering 2 b800's and 2 umbrellas plus 10' stand. I currently have a 580 ex which I can add in my lighting. My question is what should i get to remotely fire this flashes. I don't know if i should get the cybersync trigger plus the other receivers which i don't know what the difference b/w csr, csr+ csrb+ csrb. I would appreciate your help tech staff or member if you can give me info on this. I also would like to know if I should just wait for a 60" PLM if it becomes available and 1 umbrella instead of 2 umbrellas. I will be using this for home studio for family and friends portrait. I am just a hobbyist who wants to take my photography to the next level. Thank you again to your future response.


maxxs

Addendum:

I also signed up for pre order on the einstein. So maybe I can get 1 einstein and 1 b800. Is this too much for a beginner? I figure if I'm gonna buy it might as well get a good 1 rather than selling it and getting the 1 that I really like.

Maxxs

i don't think it's too much for a beginner at all... my first lighting setup ever was a full five-light setup and i'm glad that i didn't start out simple and build because when you've got all those lights you can't help but want to play and practice, so in a very short period of time i've learned A LOT. just make sure YOU don't think it's too much - just don't overwhelm yourself! practice, practice, practice... beginner is only a state of mind :)

CSRB and CSRB+ receivers operate with batteries as thier power source. These can trigger studio lights or speedlites. CSR and CSR+ operate with AC as thier power source (they plug in-line to the lights' power cord). They are best suited for studio lighting. "+" models support wireless control from the Cyber Commander. Non-+ models will only trigger the lights. 2 umbrellas/PLM's would be sufficient for family portraits. if you get 2 lights now, get modifiers for them now, then get a PLM when it is available. If you wait for an Einstein, I would then wait to get the PLM then.

Thanks for the reply. Here I think will be my setup and order if it is correct 1 ab800 and 1 ab1600 (or einstein if it is available) 2 10 inch stand, 1 cyber commander, 2 csrb+ receiver for the 2 lights and 2 umbrellas.

Is the cyber commander capable of triggering both lights and possibly a third 580 ex II or do i need to buy a cybersync CST. If it does it would save me 59$? Do i need a 3rd csrb+ to wirelessly trigger the 580 ex II? Or can I get the CSRB+ to trigger it. I know that my 580 ex has a pc incput. Thanks again for your response.

maxxsnj

The Cyber Commander can trigger the lights while connected to the camera. However, given its lightmeter ability, we do recommend a CST for convenience. If you get 2 Bees, you should get the CSR+ or CSRB+ for each. If one is an Einstein, then you will want the CSXCV (this will be available with the Einstein) for it.



I am not sure i understand this question entirely. However, i would get a CSRB+ for the speedlite. This allows as much independent control as possible of the speedlite (you just can't control power output). You can connect it to the light via teh included cords.

Is there any reason to go with the CSRB+ over the CSRB if it will just be used for a speedlight? I was thinking that the "+" versions were only useful if it was connected to an Alien Bees light, whether you have a Cyber Commander or not.

If you're just suggesting the "+" version in case he ever replaces the speedlight with another strobe, that makes sense... but I wasn't sure if that was the case or if I'm missing something.

I ask mainly because I'm going to be purchasing a setup with only Einstein's once they're available but will also purchase a CSRB for my 580EXII just in case. Since any additional lights I purchase down the road would also be Einstein's, I don't want to spend the extra $20 for the "+" version when I could instead put that into a CSXCV for the Einstein... unless there's something I'm missing.

EDIT: I do now see that it looks like the "+" versions appear to have channel selection while the non-"+" versions don't (and can't respond to groups), so can you please spell out any other differences so I'm clear on which one I should buy? Thanks!

The CSRB+ will allow you to fire and meter your speedlight separately from your other lights, and to include it in groups. With the CSRB it will always fire and can not be selectively fired or metered.

Ahhh... grouping would be very useful.

Somehow I must have misread the capabilities when I ordered. Bought CSRB's & CST for my speedlights, expecting to add a CC when the Einsteins ship. That was just under 60 days ago, I should probably take advantage of the satisfaction policy and upgrade to "+" receivers.