Comments on: Which Strobe Has The Shortest Flash Duration: Profoto, Broncolor, or Einstein?

By: trueslator

trueslator — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 13:25:00 +0000

this can be work also with slower flash – problem with slower flash duration, how to sync it. I had some experience with pocket wizards hyper sync (flexTT5) which work very nice with flash bulps with long duration. I have got the Jinbei DC 1200 which I can use with shutter speed up to 1/8000 and I have got the same result with liquids as Jaroslaw has in his video. But I have got another question – do you know what kind of liquids they are using for those kind of photos? It looks like milk but it is little bit thicker. I tries with milk but this was very shiny. Do you have got any clue?

By: Darlene Grodske

Darlene Grodske — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Hey Dan,

I think it is important to compare apple to apples. It is AB then White Lighting, then Eisteins in quality in the Paul Buff line. IF you are having problems with the lowest level of their product, (unsually it seems from others experience), then you might be better served upping your game a bit.

Also, it is bad debate form to argue the merits of a different product than is being discussed. :)

By: David La Roche

David La Roche — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 04:16:00 +0000

Profoto’s flash durations are quoted in t0.5 times, not t0.1 times and thus are not appropriate for direct comparison to either Broncolor or Paul C Buff.

This comparison is misleading and should be taken with a grain of salt.

By: DafOwen

DafOwen — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 12:45:00 +0000

Think it would be worth noting some values at varying power output to see if they’re consistent.

Also recycle times likely play a part in some situations e.g. your wakeboard shoot, or the Chase Jarvis snowboarding shoot.

By: Tobias Nathalie Firstfield

Tobias Nathalie Firstfield — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 11:32:00 +0000

please correct me if I am wrong but I think the Einsteins are using IGBT technique. That means that you will have the fastest duration with the lowest power (I have the Canonmarks and they are almost the same). As I know the bronis and the profotos reaches their fastest duration with full power as a normal studio flash does.

By: Simon Whitehead

Simon Whitehead — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 06:40:00 +0000

“it’s so nice to throw a couple Einsteins in the back of your car and not
worry about breaking the bank if they get destroyed by sand or water” – Yeah what’s a grand to a professional photographer, eh? You for real?

By: Mark Dub

Mark Dub — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 01:41:00 +0000

Maybe bad luck, but I have 5 AB’s (400 – 1600 – all purchased used) and I have never had an issue with one of them over 3 years. This includes the AB1600 that has fallen from 6′+ about 15 times now (yea.. I need some sand bags or an assistant)

By: Anto de Chav

Anto de Chav — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 01:11:00 +0000

Profoto B4 can hit 1/25000 .. and profoto has an advantage over most brands with its rental availability in almost every part of the western world and the range of modulators is excellent,Broncolor is pretty cool too thought…the new move is sweet..

By: Dan Stone-Photography

Dan Stone-Photography — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 23:49:00 +0000

Wipes the floor? Bit strong! For the price yes AB is great but I’ve been through so many and with a studio I need reliability of broncolor, I’ve had 6 AB lights all but 1 have died in less than 3 years :( and also the recycle speed!

By: Kagetsu Steve Buic

Kagetsu Steve Buic — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 22:47:00 +0000

There’s a mistake in table there. The Profoto has a min flash duration of 1/12000 at t0.5, not t0.1 which is not listed.

Additionally, comparing the flash duration of the Einstein (and I’m not downplaying the unit at all) is a little unfair… Speed lights such as Canons 580EX results in speeds rates of up to 1/35,000 of a second and more. The smaller the capacitor bank, the faster it can exhaust the power it has in them (that’s dependent on other factors of course).