Attaching gels to Elinchrom Umbrella reflectors?

[elliot_n]

Hi. I'm using Elinchrom DLite 4s, with Elinchrom Umbrella reflectors.

I currently use bulldog clips to attach 10" square colour corrections gels to the reflectors. (Hmm, 'bulldog clips' is what we call them here in the UK, not sure if it translates).

The bulldog clips work ok, but necessitate the gels being bent one way and then the other. I figure there must be a better way to attach the gels. Maybe some sort of double clip? Ideally nothing too bulky.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Elliot

p.s. This question is just about using the reflectors bare (i.e. without umbrellas). I'm thinking that a carefully placed one inch slit in the gel will allow an umbrella to pass through.

[elliot_n]

Bulldog clip (http://www.dorothymcghie.com/clip.jpg)

[Hermes]

http://www.karlu.com/product_info.php?products_id=9350

[elliot_n]

Thanks Hermes - that's just the kind of double clip I had in mind, I just didn't know how to search for it.

I wonder, does anyone make a 'mini' version of the same thing? (The clip linked to is 7.5cm wide, whereas the bulldog clips I'm currently using are just 2cm wide).

[Hermes]

Sorry, Never seen a smaller one.

If you want to use gels properly, you really have to get into using velcro for everything - it's the only quick and secure way of attaching them and it doesn't leave gaps like clips will.

[elliot_n]

Hmm, I hadn't thought of velcro for the Elinchroms.

(I have a handful of Nikon SB80s, all covered with velcro, and used with a set of 4" square velcroed gels)

[Hermes]

For reflectors that have lips like the grid reflectors, you can just use a thin strip of adhesive velcro on the flat part behind the lip.

For reflectors with no lip like the umbrella reflector, your best bet is to buy some very wide adhesive velcro (I use 50mm) which will have enough surface area on the adhesive side to stop it slipping.

[elliot_n]

Thanks. Just to clarify, do you mean that a small strip of velcro is likely to slip because the heat from the modelling lamp will make the adhesive slippy?

(Hmm, I'm hesitant to apply velcro to my lovely new Elinchroms. I think I might go for the double-clips - and use gaffer tape when the double-clips don't fit the bill.)

[Hermes]

Yep, over time a thin strip *MAY* slip if it doesn't have a flat surface and a lip to keep it in place, but this is just an educated guess. My 50mm velcro doesn't budge on the umbrella reflectors.

I can't even begin to understand the mentality of caring more about the cosmetic appearance of equipment than the images that can be created and the time that can be saved by a little modification, but in any case, adhesive velcro leaves no residue in my experience. Gaffer tape leaves huge clumps of glue everywhere when it gets hot - if you have to use tape on equipment that will get hot, use electrical tape.

[elliot_n]

I'm interested in the idea of velcro, and may end up going down that route. But I'm going to try 4 of the double-clips first. If I don't like them as gel holders, I can find other uses for them (e.g. holding small flags). Good tip about the electrical tape - gaffer tape does indeed make a big mess.

[TMR Design]

Yep, over time a thin strip *MAY* slip if it doesn't have a flat surface and a lip to keep it in place, but this is just an educated guess. My 50mm velcro doesn't budge on the umbrella reflectors.

I can't even begin to understand the mentality of caring more about the cosmetic appearance of equipment than the images that can be created and the time that can be saved by a little modification, but in any case, adhesive velcro leaves no residue in my experience. Gaffer tape leaves huge clumps of glue everywhere when it gets hot - if you have to use tape on equipment that will get hot, use electrical tape.

I've applied adhesive velcro to reflectors and even after time has passed and being subjected to the heat from modeling lights, I've always been able to peel the velcro off with zero residue left behind.

[elliot_n]

I don't doubt you, but just last week I tried to remove the velcro from an old Nikon flash that I had hoped to sell on eBay. The velcro had been there for about 10 years, and no amount of solvents and scratching could remove the sticky residue. I ended up binning the flash.

[TMR Design]

If you're worried about the 'permanence' over time then a simple solution is to just replace the velcro with fresh velcro every so often. I don't know what the time period would be but it's a relatively inexpensive solution.