Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I started testing out the Einstein and for some reason when I set the model lamp to the desired output, it resets and tracks with the flash power as soon as I press my shutter button or take a shot. I'm using a tt1 + ac3 on top of my Canon 1DmkIV and the MC2 on the Einstein. When I remove the MC2 and use the cord to connect to my camera I can set the model lamp and it stays constant. I've followed the directions and can't seem to figure this out. Is it a limitation of the Einstein when used with the PW or is there something wrong with my unit?

I also noticed when I set the Einstein to full power (both flash and model lamp) it takes close to 11 secs to recycle using the Vagabond mini. When I dial down the model lamp I get the advertised 3 secs. Is this normal?

It is actually picking up this information from your TT1 settings. You have a section for modeling lamp that sends that config with your ControlTL packets. You can modify that through the PW utility on your computer.

If you don't want to change your PW settings then you should be able to switch to a standard channel you should get control of the modeling light back. Of course you'll lose the AC3 management at that point though.

I tried chaning that setting in the TT1 to 50%. No difference. The model lamp continues to adjust to flash output.

From the manual below. You'll need to turn this off if you don't want the power to auto track.

Modeling Light Autotrack

Enable this control for the modeling light level to track with the camera exposure or AC3 Power Dial settings.

That did it! Thank you!!!! :)

In my case the modeling lamp on the Einstein comes on when I don't want it to, the PocketWizard software on my Flex TT5 has the Modeling Light Control unchecked. I can start taking photos but after a few the modeling lamp will come on. I then go to the Einstein and turn it to "Model Off". After a few more shots the model lamp comes on again. I'm using a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV with a Pocketwizard Flex TT5. I have the latest software for the Pocketwizard utility. Any suggestions?

Of course it takes 11 second with the model lamp on. The 250W model lamp takes 100% of the VML full output (starts current limiting at 250W). The same applies to Vagabond 1, Tronix Explorer (slightly lower peak output than VML) or any other small inverter. To successfully use modeling with an inverter you must use a low wattage lamp - IE 40W. You might have better success by dimming the E640 modeling lamp down to around 1/8 power.

If you run VML into an Einstein at 250W modeling, the battery will be dead in 30 minutes. If you must use the model lamp for some reason, at least set it to go out during recycle and you'll get close to 3 second recycle . . . but still only 1/2 hour run time and probably flickering when it comes back on.

First, any change that can be made from the remote port will be overridden by the remote, if changed on the back panel. Also, make sure you hit "APPLY" on the PW utility. When mine pops up, it is in a less-than-maximized state, and you cannot see the "apply" button.

Boy I had that problem all day sat at a field event for a bicycle 100 miler now that I've read your tech response I should be able to go into my tt5's menue and find an area that addresses lights and or its brightness right?

yes, the Pocket Wizard utility can make those changes in your transmitting device.