Canon 580EX II

[Jerry Skrocki]

Apparently it is part of a new design of digital monolights that is in development (Einstein). It looks similar in function to the latest Pocket Wizard Multi-Max that goes for about $300. I'm sure the Paul C Buff model will be much less.

This is the blurb about the new system to be released later this year:

" Cyber Commander™ is a highly advanced wireless remote controller under concurrent development with the Einstein series monolights. It brings an unheralded degree of total system control right to the hotshoe of your camera.

We promise the capabilities of Cyber Commander™, like those of Einstein™, will surprise and delight users of the most advanced (and expensive) flash systems in the world."

Paul C. Buff FORUM HOME :: View topic - Paul's Posts Regarding the CyberSync™ and Einstein™

[Jerry Skrocki]

Originally Posted by Doug_Kerr

There must be an optical path from the flash head of the master unit to the receptors on the front of the slave units. It need not be line-of-sight - operation by reflection off wall or ceiling surfaces is often practical.

The problem with the Canon system is that it just doesn't work outside. The ambient light is just too bright to allow the receptors to "see" the signal. It also has a limited range. With radio triggers, the flash units can virtually be placed anywhere and still fire.

[DougAxford]

Thanks for the link to Buff's forum Jerry. That was a long, long read. I rarely get a chance to check his forum as there's just too much to do elsewhere. The new Einstein & Cyber Commander will really shake things up in the industry. They exactly fit into what I prefer to work with. I'm just not an 'auto' guy.

I've always been very happy with the 11 WL's I bought decades ago and with the service Buff has offered. Problem is, it's hard to justify buying new Einstein units when the 25 yr. old ones are still working perfectly.

I think this thread has gotten a little off the 580's - sorry.

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