October 15th, 2009 | 
I was using Paul’s Buff flash units for a several years, and now I was glad to found they get a new new flash units soon : EINSTEIN 640 and AlienBees AB MAX series. The original info on this can be found on Rob Galbraith web site, this guy manages to get it first somehow 
Here is some features of the new unit:
# Worldwide power compatibility (95-265VAC, 50Hz or 60Hz, auto-switching)
# Full power recycle time of 1.7 seconds at 120VAC (60Hz) or at 240VAC (50Hz)
# 2.5-640ws range, settable in 1/10-stop increments
# CONSTANT COLOR and ACTION modes; one is optimized for colour temperature consistency and the other for stopping motion
# 5600K (+/-50K) color temperature throughout the power range in CONSTANT COLOR mode
# Approx. 1/666 (t.1) flash duration at 640ws; flash durations become dramatically shorter at settings below full power, particularly in ACTION mode (This is really, really cool as we could use it for any (well, most, if not any due to power output limitation) hi-speed studio photography which requires short duration flash units, but for a fraction of cost of a serious generators like Broncolor. More info on duration and color is here)
# Can be powered by lower-cost pure sine wave inverter/battery units such as the Vagabond II
# Worldwide 250W quartz modeling light (bayonet socket)
# Removable Pyrex flash dome over the flash tube and modeling light
# Precision modeling light tracking of flash output power
# Umbrella mount accepts up to 9mm shafts and is designed to handle beefier umbrellas than the AlienBees B-series
# Compatible with the Cyber Commander wireless control system (optional CSXCV Transceiver module is required), including turning the Einstein off/on and changing power settings remotely
# User-upgradeable flash firmware (via microSD slot)
The rest is just remains the same as a current AlienBees and WhiteLightning units has.
We should see the unit beginning next year for about $440 a piece.
About The Author: Alex Koloskov
The lighting magician, owner of AKELstudio, Inc.
