Alien Bee & Softbox help

[wonton]

I bought an Alien Bee light and an octagon softbox. When I pull the latch to tighten the position of the softbox, it is not enough to hold it up. The softbox is about 5' in total diameter and 1.5 feel in depth. Surely it should be able to handle this. Am I doing something wrong? I have an Amvona stand (which shouldn't matter). No matter how tight I try to tighten it, the softbox falls downs.

HELP Please!

[SkipD]

I bought an Alien Bee light and an octagon softbox. When I pull the latch to tighten the position of the softbox, it is not enough to hold it up. The softbox is about 5' in total diameter and 1.5 feel in depth. Surely it should be able to handle this. Am I doing something wrong? I have an Amvona stand (which shouldn't matter). No matter how tight I try to tighten it, the softbox falls downs.

HELP Please!If you are saying that your light stand is too wimpy, the solution is to get a decent light stand.

The AlienBees 13-foot air cushioned stand is ideal for using to support their lights with large softboxes on them, and the price is not too bad at all. I have a couple of these stands and feel they are very much worth the price.

[wonton]

It is not the stand. It is the Alien Bee light/head. I have another light head piece and it is fine. It is definitely not the stand. It is the Alien Bee light head. You know where you can tighten to adjust the light head from going up and down in a vertical way (the positioning arm)? I tighten it as much as possible and it is not strong enough.

[MSPhoto]

Are you referring to the positioning arm that adjusts the tilt of the flash head?

[SkipD]

It is not the stand. It is the Alien Bee light/head. I have another light head piece and it is fine. It is definitely not the stand. It is the Alien Bee light head. You know where you can tighten to adjust the light head from going up and down in a vertical way (the positioning arm)? I tighten it as much as possible and it is not strong enough.Call the folks at AlienBees and they will help you resolve your problem - guaranteed.

[dragulaz]

I've had a similar issue with the giant softbox. Didn't happen immediately but over time the tilt started to creep, no matter how tight I clamped it down. I think it's just a tilt mechanism that wasn't designed for the weight of some of the modifiers. Could be yours is faulty though, I would give them a call.

[wonton]

Yes, the positioning arm. I will call them tomorrow. I softbox I bought is not an Alien Bee brand but it was the similar size so I figured it would be ok. I am a little disappointed if it cannot handle it. I mean, I can probably glue it or jerry rig it somehow but I would hope not.

Thanks for the replies. I will keep you posted.

[TMR Design]

Sounds like it's he Alien Bees mounting block or Bees case that has some play or perhaps the plastic is slightly warped.

I would try to get a new mounting block, which you can install yourself. If that's not the solution then you may have to either send your strobe to Alien Bees or have them send you out a new case.

[bolantej]

I removed mine with a screwdriver and repositioned the handle (counter clockwise I think) so that when I tighten it, it would be tight enough to lock in place. Do that, and you should be fine.

[SkipD]

Yes, the positioning arm. I will call them tomorrow. I softbox I bought is not an Alien Bee brand but it was the similar size so I figured it would be ok. I am a little disappointed if it cannot handle it. I mean, I can probably glue it or jerry rig it somehow but I would hope not.

Thanks for the replies. I will keep you posted.I just had a thought, triggered by the last post.

Do you realize that the handle used to tighten the connection between the light itself and the part that mounts to a light stand can be repositioned? All you need to do is pull the handle out away from its normal position and rotate it and then let it re-seat on the nut. No tools are needed to make this handle position adjustment.

It may be that you are tightening the nut until the handle has no more room to move and thinking it's as tight as it can be. Merely re-position the handle so you can tighten it a little more.

[wonton]

I did take the handle out and try to re-seat it but that did not work. I have not tried to take the screw out and make it counter clockwise. I will try when I get home later today. Have you noticed that the handle hits the box too when you try to tighten it? Is this poor design or intentional?

BTW - I am tightening it so much I am about to break it.

Thanks for the info!

[ueb0258]

Wonton, I feel your pain. I got my giant softbox in yesterday and I am having the same issues with my photgenic light. Hope you get yours resolved.

[wonton]

Ok, I just talked to Alien Bee and they are going to send me leather washers because they said it creates better friction. I can see that. I'll let you know if it works. Might be good to try.

[sleibrand]

Have you noticed that the handle hits the box too when you try to tighten it? Is this poor design or intentional?


That's intentional - sort of. The handle is designed so that you can reposition it. Pull out on the handle. It will rotate freely as long as you keep it pulled out. When it's where you want it, let it go back in.

[Longwatcher]

Although I have had slippage (especially on my boom arm ) usually I just pull out the handle, adjust it, and then tighten some more and this takes care of the problem. I figure I am tightening to much if I ever break the handle, which I haven't yet, but I have never failed to get it to stop slipping, by tightening some more, The mount to the light stand is usually a little trickier as it is harder to tighten the screw in tight enough some times, but again a little elbow grease so to speak and it stops slipping.

I would like to see the leather washers though, as I work with leather so could make one if needed, if it would save me some effort.

[bolantej]

I believe this is becoming way more complicated than it needs to be. I have the giant soft box and it works fine after my repositioning of the handle.