Argh! Nobody offers a complete system

<p>Ideally I would like a functioning system of speed lights and mono lights, all RF controlled, decent quality, and easy to setup (no or very limited cables, extraneous packs, or things that need to be inserted or connected).<br /> <br /> <strong>PCB</strong>: I love the cybercommander interface and metering. PCB have no option for anything smaller in a speed light form factor that fits easily in a bag, uses AA's, and travels well. No TTL though I rarely use it and could live without it. Einstein is pretty good though the radio isn't exactly built-in (known to break if left in and bumped) and mods don't always fit very well. Power, color temp, and evenness are excellent.<br /> <br /> <strong>Phottix</strong>: Decent interface (Odin) though I like the PCB CC better. Mitros + are generally good with built-in radio's and TTL. Color temp apparently a bit cool and metering can overexpose though this can be corrected if you use them all of the time. A couple of reviews that radios are great but flash tubes no so much. Indra requires a separate pack for battery or AC operation so a bit more difficult to setup though with the radio built in not too bad. Mods fit well. Cost on the high end though.<br>

<br /> <strong>Profoto</strong>: Better interface than Odin but not as good as PCB CC. No option for anything in a speed light form factor. B1 excellent in many ways and likely better than Einstein though also about twice the price. Love the profoto mods and that radio is completely built in.<br /> <br /> Norman, PW, others don't seem in contention.<br>

<br /> If PCB came out with something in a speed light form factor I'd go with them in a heartbeat. Same if Phottix came out with something like an Einstein or B1 (though PCB would win between these two). Failing either of these if Profoto came out with a speed light form factor I'd swallow hard, spend the money, and enjoy the quality.<br>

So frustrating.</p>

<p> </p>

Your desire to have a power supply built into a monolights light is laudable but problematic. Unless you always work with

your monolights in an easily accessible position it's better, in my experience, to have the power source outside the

head.Three aspects of the B1 that I didn't like are that it is battery power only, the battery is mounted to the head, and

Profoto doesn't plan to open up their proprietary radio system to use with smaller hotshoe mount flashes. I had a long

phone conversation with an exec from Profoto about these issues (as well as what I liked about the system and in reverse

order he said they aren't going to open up the radio system (a pity); that he thought the idea of a cable to an external

battery was interesting; and that there were no plans for an AC powered option.

 

All of those are real advantages to the Phottix Odin/Indra/Mitros system.

 

I haven't had the color or exposure issues you mentioned with the Phottix products. If I had, I'd tell you and I would have

mentioned this in my review. I do wish the Indra500TTL had tenth-stop output controls on either the Odin TCU or the

Indra itself.

 

With the Paul C Buff, Inc. Einstein system, I guess it's possible that an Einstein V2 might have true TTL control, but I'm

not holding my breath on that one. From talking with Jim Graham of BrandessKalt/Omega (Phottix's USA distributor) what

I learned is that for some unexplained reason the power limit for a TTL controlled flash is currently 500 watt-seconds.

 

Unlike you, I'm not a fan of the P. C. Buff, Inc Cyber Commander radio: too fiddly. I use the PocketWizard ControlTL radio

system instead, the AC-3 controller + MC3 combination gives me 6-stops in 1/3rd stop increments output control of my

Einstein's and blend that in with either manually or TTL-controlled hotshoe mount flashes, and with certain Elinchrom

lights (ones with external Skyport connections).

 

Right now the Phottix Odin controlled system is easily the most complete system on the market. The only wish of yours it doesn't fulfill is having an internal power source with the Indra.

<p>I love the profoto b1. I've used alienbees lights and batteries for over 10 years before profoto. No more wires, clamping batteries, adjusting power. just turn on with ettl and your ready to shoot and the hss works flawlessly. like the power of 6 600rt ex canon speedlites in one.</p>

<p>Yes they do. Have done for years.</p>

<p>I'm entirely happy with Quantum which would equally fulfil all your requirements. Lack of modelling light is about the only real gripe.</p>

<p>You do need to have the will power to not gravitate towards the latest gizmo or 'Industry Standard' (Lol) or cheapest offering, but instead, look at what is offered and if that fits with what you're wanting to do, or can potential adapt to what you might want to do.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>Ideally I would like a functioning system of speed lights and mono lights, all RF controlled, decent quality, and easy to setup.... fits easily in a bag... built-in radio's and TTL... radio is completely built in....<br>

</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Yep.. All that. In all variations.</p>

<p> </p>

<blockquote>

<p>So frustrating.</p>

</blockquote>

<p> Not really. :)</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Like Felix I rotated through a number of solutions over the years … usually coming up short in one way or another … now THAT is frustrating because most lighting doesn't hold its resale value very well.</p>

<p>Until I got fed up, bit the bullet and went with Profoto. While it has become a cottage industry to diss the more expensive lighting solutions, I've found that it is more about the value proposition longer term.</p>

<p>I LOVE the B1. </p>

<p>- Marc</p>

<p>FWIW, Priolite compact strobes and generators have internal exchangeable battery and a built-in radio module. Interesting monolights.<br />Priolite is a German company and was founed by one of the Hensel Studiotechnik engineers.<br>

http://www.priolite-usa.com/</p>

<p>Thanks all. I've been reading the replies and doing research and should have replied sooner.</p>

<p>Profoto do not have a speedlight option. I do a lot of shoots where I need a small system that travels lite and sets up and tears down very quickly. A bunch of speedlights are ideal. With their shape they pack in to a small area and they're light weight. Having a bulbous Pocket Wizard or on them negates some of this and this is where Phottix Mitros + shine IMO. </p>

<p>Quantum seems a similar problem. Right speedlight form factor but requires a separate battery, cable, etc for each? Kind of a neat idea for something between a speedlight and mono. Don't think they fit the bill for me.</p>

<p>I somewhat agree with the battery in the head issue but mainly just from a weight standpoint. I do think PCB's got it right with the Einstein though. It's the least weight (theoretically less durable though they seem to hold up well) and with good remote can be placed anywhere and fully controlled so access isn't a big problem? It uses a standard AC cable (even on battery) of which most of us have a few dozen laying around. I also like that I can have a small xceiver on the camera and hold the cybercommander in my hand which is especially useful when the camera and lights are up high.</p>

<p>It'll be interesting to see what happens with PCB. I knew Paul at Valley People and he was quite a genius. People still use stuff he produced 40 years ago. His one fault seemed to be (and I could be mis-judging this) that he thought everyone should conform to his world instead of seeing how he could use his ideas to solve their problems. </p>

<p>TTL is a low priority for me but the speedlight form factor is high. If PCB came out with a speedlight form factor like the Mitros + I'd be a very happy all PCB camper. TTL would be a plus but not critical.</p>

<p>In the end it seems Phottix are the best option for me today. At least for a small system. Now to just to wait to see if the Odin II becomes available before PCB introduce their speedlight.</p>

<p> </p>

Yes profoto is a speedlite and does everything your speedlite does. It does ettl and high speed sync but with the power of

6 speedlites.