Photogenic Softbox with Alien Bees?

[hamm3r]

I should be getting my B800 today. I had originally order the Large softbox with it, but after reading some posts here regarding the durability of the Alien softboxes (I will be taking mine apart often) I cancelled the Softbox.

Some members here recommend the photogenic for durability, and some posts implied they were using the photogenic with Alien Bees.

The problem is that I cannot find a compatible speed ring to interface the photogenic with AB. Alien Bee support told me that their lights use equivalent connectors as Balcar and White Lightning, but photogenic doesn't seem to sell speedrings for any of the three brands.

http://www.photogenicpro.com/store/index.asp?DEPARTMENT_ID=111

In the meantime, I ordered a Photek Softlighter II SL-6000. I really wanted a softbox, but based on recommendations here I should be happy with the Softlighter, and it should connect easily to my AB800.

I'm curious how you folks were able to interface a photogenic softbox with the ABs.

[Longwatcher]

I am almost positive that the Photogenic softboxes the Community college I am taking a class at are using the standard AB speedrings, The rods seemed to go in just like my AB softboxes.

But since I use the AB softboxes I may not have been paying enough attention. But they are using AB's with Photogenic labeled softboxes, that I do know.

[FlashZebra]

I should be getting my B800 today. I had originally order the Large softbox with it, but after reading some posts here regarding the durability of the Alien softboxes (I will be taking mine apart often) I cancelled the Softbox.

Some members here recommend the photogenic for durability, and some posts implied they were using the photogenic with Alien Bees.

The problem is that I cannot find a compatible speed ring to interface the photogenic with AB. Alien Bee support told me that their lights use equivalent connectors as Balcar and White Lightning, but photogenic doesn't seem to sell speedrings for any of the three brands.

http://www.photogenicpro.com/store/index.asp?DEPARTMENT_ID=111

In the meantime, I ordered a Photek Softlighter II SL-6000. I really wanted a softbox, but based on recommendations here I should be happy with the Softlighter, and it should connect easily to my AB800.

I'm curious how you folks were able to interface a photogenic softbox with the ABs.
I cannot tell for sure by just looking at the pics in the link you provide. But, most softboxes that have four tension rods can use the same speedrings. The very narrow softboxes (sometimes called stripdomes) need special consideration. And the octaboxes need one with 8 tension rod holes (but the speedrings that accept 8 typically also accept 4).

If you are interested in a rugged softbox I suggest you also look at the "Photoflex" line of softboxes. They are extreamly good softboxes and are very rugged.

But, just purchase that speedring that Alien Bee sells. Unless you get a stripdome, that Alien Bee speedring will fit the Photoflex softboxes, and the Alien Bee speedring is a lot less expensive than any I have found.

That Alien Bee speedring will very likely work perfectly on you Photogenic softbox, unless you ordered a long skinny softbox (sometimes call a strip dome). Alien Bee has a nice money back guarantee, so just order the AB speedring and it has a very high probability of working perfectly.

Let us know how this goes.

Enjoy! Lon