Ezybox Hotshoe: How to get it back into the bag? ;)

[Sensographer]

Well, just got my new Ezybox Hotshoe 60cm, but don't get it back into my bag. Even if you check the instructional video on the Lastolite website they only fold it so fas as it get's this nice big triangel, but they don't fold it down so it will be the same as it was when it came out of the small Lastolite bag ...
Any hints? ;)

[fi20100]

Just received one as well. I managed to get it small enough to fit the bag, but I think it was a bit thinner when I took it out the first time. I tried to fold it just as I do with my reflectors.

Anyway, I left in the diffusers when I folded it... just folded the diffusers to one side before I closed the box.

[sdipirro]

Anyone else have the thing fly open, whack you in the forehead, and leave a mark the first time? Er, yeah, me neither! I remove the diffusers from mine, fold it back into that triangle shape, and from there you should be able to twist and fold it like a reflector, only it doesn't become quite as flat and does feel like it wants to leap right out of your hands again. But it fits back in the bag that way.

[fi20100]

Yey, I got it back... really flat this time :) and with the reflectors inside :) Makes it a bit faster when you want to put it back together.

And yes, the first time I opened my larger reflector, I almost got a nosebleed LOL

[Rai33]

Yeah i struggle a little with mine occasionally - got to stuff it back into its bag before it springs back open (was a whisker away from being smacked in the head the first couple of times!). Once i twisted it completely out of shape ie. warped the metal rods... thought i'd wrecked it but luckily was able to twist them and snap it back into place.

[pridash]

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I'm finding it nigh on impossible to get it folded back!

Like Rai33, I bent the metal rods of shape once but managed to twist back into place!

According to the videos you don't hold it like the reflectors prior to folding - you just bend the (opening) end together and then twist your left hand. But as I'm twisting my left hand, the side nearest to me seems to pop back out and I end up with a smaller "circle" but not small enough for ther bag.

Any pointers or an idiots guide?

[xenomorphic]

Mine never goes "flat" back in the bag, but there's not really much problem getting it "lumpy" back in the back (I did have my share of practicing, though). The main problem with the Exybox is that it is much stiffer and harder to fold than a single reflector, so you need a really firm grip. People probably do this all kinds of ways but see the sketch below for what works for me.

I never got comfortable with the "fold the two corners together" routine in the Lastolite videos, and I usually perform a twisting motion instead, holding my hands and thumbs as indicated by the illustration below (excuse the quality of said drawing). I then twist one hand forwards and away, the other back towards me. Holding the Ezybox, this results in a motion almost like trying to cross my arms in front of my chest - but in a strange, inverted sort of way. Once I cant go any further, the Ezybox has collapsed upon itself to form 3 layered hoops - and all it needs is a bit of adjustment so the middle hoop fits in between the upper and lower hoop.

I always remove the white diffuser before collapsing the Exybox.

Good luck - hope this helps.

James

[fi20100]

I've never been able to get either of mine folded flat... try more "ball like" :) but they fit in the bag, so it's not a problem. I usually also leave the internal diffusion screens inside.

[pridash]

Mine never goes "flat" back in the bag, but there's not really much problem getting it "lumpy" back in the back (I did have my share of practicing, though). The main problem with the Exybox is that it is much stiffer and harder to fold than a single reflector, so you need a really firm grip. People probably do this all kinds of ways but see the sketch below for what works for me.

I never got comfortable with the "fold the two corners together" routine in the Lastolite videos, and I usually perform a twisting motion instead, holding my hands and thumbs as indicated by the illustration below (excuse the quality of said drawing). I then twist one hand forwards and away, the other back towards me. Holding the Ezybox, this results in a motion almost like trying to cross my arms in front of my chest - but in a strange, inverted sort of way. Once I cant go any further, the Ezybox has collapsed upon itself to form 3 layered hoops - and all it needs is a bit of adjustment so the middle hoop fits in between the upper and lower hoop.

I always remove the white diffuser before collapsing the Exybox.

Good luck - hope this helps.

James

Thanks very much for the clear instructions! Glad I'm not the only one who had problems.

I'm a little reluctant to try this again as after trying it again last night I noticed a slight chink in one of the metal rods and I'm worried that any more attempts to get it folded will either cause a tear in the fabric or warp the metal completely!

I think I'll have to live with it semi-folded! If I get another one in the future, I'll try your technique. Thanks again!

[xenomorphic]

My pleasure!

The rods have to bend and "chink" a little, to get folded. I believe that you won't have a problem with this because the metal has enough "memory "(ability to retain its original shape) to pop right back out without any problems. Mine certainly has a few "chinks" when folded, but works great anyway.

James

[v35skyline]

It's unpossible!

And yes, I meant to say UNpossible. ;)

Just got mine today and I should have paid more attention as I was unfolding it...

[pridash]

It's unpossible!

And yes, I meant to say UNpossible. ;)

Just got mine today and I should have paid more attention as I was unfolding it...

Wha-hey! Someone like me!

I hear that this method of folding actually works (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oV6IJujGaI) - I haven't tried it myself yet but it was recommended on a Flickr thread.

I got a shoot planned on Sunday so will try it afterwards.

[DannyG]

I've never had a product make me feel as stupid as this one does. For the premium price they charge they should at least include a fool-proof instruction sheet on how to fold the thing.

[xenomorphic]

The same folding-principle applies to all of Lastolites reflectors - only folding a big single-sheet reflector is actually much easier than folding the much more compact Ezybox (which infact has you folding the equivalent of 4 reflectors simultaneously).

The method I posted a while back (above) works for me every time, no problem, and you don't have to sit down and bend it off your knee. And there are no "chinks" or anything once the Ezybox pops back out.

The method of folding shown in the instruction video posted by pridash (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oV6IJujGaI) works perfectly. The only tricky part (with both methods) is at about 0:19 - 0:20 seconds into the video: Notice how the Ezybox has collapsed into 3 layered loops instead of one big loop. He is holding one loop in each hand, and the bottom loop is being supported and prevented from springing out by his knee. At this point you typically have to jiggle and tuck the middle hoop (held in right hand) a little to get it into position in between the top and bottom hoop. Once you've done that, you're done.

James

[DannyG]

Don't know if it's a new video or if I just couldn't find it but Lastolite sent me this...

If you click on the following link
http://www.lastolite.com/video-demos.php and select the Ezybox (not Ezybox
Hotshoe) channel, there is s video setting up and packing away the Ezybox
the folding principle used is the same for the Ezybox Hotshoe.

[xenomorphic]

Mr. Cleghorn (who is demonstrating the gear in the Lastolite videos) is obviously striving to demonstrate how quickly the softboxes can be collapsed back into their bags, not exactly how to do it. The video posted by pridash gives you a better idea of one possible technique for folding. Also, Lastolite offers the following, which work on the same principle:

http://www.lastolitemedia.co.uk/pdfs/Cubelite-Breakdown.pdf

http://www.lastolite.com/video-demos.php - and choose the Lastolite TriGrips option, followed by the last video: "Folding the TriGrip"

- Ezybox Hotshoe works just the same, but is more rigid and therefore requires more force than a large, floppy single reflector.

James

[fullcity]

Don't know if it's a new video or if I just couldn't find it but Lastolite sent me this...

If you click on the following link
http://www.lastolite.com/video-demos.php and select the Ezybox (not Ezybox
Hotshoe) channel, there is s video setting up and packing away the Ezybox
the folding principle used is the same for the Ezybox Hotshoe.

Great, thanks. Kind of weird that they don't have a similar video for actually folding up the Ezybox Hotshoe, but this works just fine, same principle.

[Rai33]

I find the folding method in the video Pridash posted works best.

[iaingrant100]

Well this one had me baffled for a bit too- but thanks to the very clear instructions by Xenomorphic, I think I've finally got it sussed (until the next time I unpack it that is)

Thanks for posting this James, genius instructions and what a relief to find this thread where others have suffered too!