Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Is PCB ever coming out with a higher wattage Einstein? 1250w? I'd eventually like to replace my Speedo stuff with these lights=)

Possibly eventually, but our experience with X3200 and Zeus shows the demand for higher power lights is a small fraction of that for 160WS to 640WS versions. This make it difficult the development expense VS sales potential. Our best selling lights are 320WS.

Out of curiosity, would a (let's say) 1280ws Einstein give me same flash duration at double the power? Or would two Einsteins in unison only do that.

To achieve the same flash duration from twice the power would require an extremely expensive and large quartz flashtube, which would have a shorter life span. It would not fit within the frosted dome or fit the accessory mount. Note that most $10,000 2400WS systems have a full power t.1 time on the order of 1/80 to 1/150 second from one head while Einstein, at 640WS yields 1/575 second.

So traditionally, flash duration typically goes up pretty much proportionally to power. With box and cable systems, that path to high power at fast durations is normally achieved by using multiple heads or bi-tube/quad tube heads. By attaching four heads to a Grafit or Scoro you would end up approximately the same as by using 4 Einsteins.

The same thing happens with recycle time . . . twice the power typically takes twice the time to recharge. This can be equalized by doubling all the power supply capabilities, but then results in twice the power line current draw and a much bigger and expensive package.

So, for most users, two (or more) Einsteins are a far better solution, plus providing desirable redundancy and versatility.

Another point is the thoughtful use of efficient modifiers . . . a 640WS Einstein or AB with silver PLM can light a subject to the same f stop as a 4800WS power pac with a softbox.