DIY: Shoe Mount Flash to Elinchrom Adapter, Part I.

[tetrode]

Ah, the quest for the lighting forum's equivalent of the holy grail: An adapter that will take a hotshoe flash in the back and mate it with an Elinchrom mount accessory in the front. I do believe I've cobbled together a workable solution.

The one indispensible part that makes this work is this:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/3731136170_952a78093d_o.jpg

As the annotation says, this is a plastic ring sold by Elinchrom in sets of four as the Reflector Support Set. The idea is you screw these rings onto a wall and then you have a place to hang your reflectors.

Ahh, but these rings really have a different primary purpose in life. These very same rings are the inner plastic component found on the front of Elinchrom monoblocks. Add the outer locking collar and you'd have a complete mount.

So, what can we do with this ring? Well, if we could find a way to mount a flash unit to its rear, we'd have what we're looking for.

I fabricated my prototype out of the support ring, a laboriously shaped 1/4" thick piece of Masonite (a special "thank you" to Mr. Dremel) and the flash mounting bracket from my Lastolite EZYbox Hotshoe.

Behold the finished product:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3239/3731135758_d89f766c55_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/3730340159_b9dcb27fa2_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2659/3730340131_d89edca6d9_o.jpg

Obviously, the back plate should really be fabricated from aluminum but I have neither the skills nor the tools to work with metal. As I said, this is a prototype. I can think of several different approaches to doing this.

So, what can we do with this bracket?

Have a look at Part II which follows ...

[tetrode]

Okay, so what can we do with our bracket. Let's see:

44cm Square reflector:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2509/3730340461_94e1ce6573_o.jpg

7" Grid reflector:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2544/3731135990_05eb55060d_o.jpg

A view from the front:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2647/3731136004_f52ce41809_o.jpg

7" Reflector with Barndoors:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3449/3731135940_f2cede63bc_o.jpg

A 36" Octabox:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/3730339917_b56c16a88b_o.jpg

The business end nude:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3527/3731135726_3d60ecfca7_o.jpg

And, finally, the Speedotron beauty dish:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/3730340223_4a04e68e96_o.jpg



Needless to say, I'm pleased with the way things have worked out :D

Dave F.

[TMR Design]

Looks great Dave, but unless I'm missing something, there is no locking collar, so any modifier mounted will rotate slightly onto the bayonet but not lock. Is that right?

[tetrode]

Looks great Dave, but unless I'm missing something, there is no locking collar, so any modifier mounted will rotate slightly onto the bayonet but not lock. Is that right?

Mostly true but not entirely, Robert. You are correct that there is no locking mechanism. The plastic ring does come with a strategically placed hole drilled in its periphery where a locking pin would be inserted by the locking collar if one were present. No collar, no pin. I will be adding a locking pin to my prototype.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2463/3716865323_54b596d3fd_o.jpg

The good news is that the slots in Elinchrom mounting rings have an upward sweep to them as do the slots in Norman rings and some others. In use, these rings tend to snap into place over the pins in the plastic support ring. In other words, once mounted, they're not *really* free to rotate loose. I wouldn't rely on this for security in the long term but none of the accessories I've tried has shown any inclination to free itself from the mounting ring.

Dave F.

[TMR Design]

I'd be curious to see what you do with the locking pin Dave.

It's nice to be able to fire a Speedlight into a reflector and have a grid but unless you're going to use something like a Sto-Fen or Nikon Diffusion Dome then the light is just going to fire straight ahead and the reflector won't do much except possibly control some of the spill.

It would be great to see the Speedlight with Sto-Fen forward of the rear opening and look at the light pattern to see if it becomes more round and even. I'd love to be able to change that Speedlight elliptical pattern to a round one.

[J Kacey]

Thanks to Dave I got my hands on one of these. Funny it works similar to what I have been designing. I'm not happy with the construction at all of this for a long term mounting ring. It's made of thin plastic and with the cost of it and having to import it at a high cost it's not going to be a good solution for me to couple it with my bracket. It has brought me that much closer to making something I can market though and I would like to thank Dave for that....:)

I do think for people using the Alzo, Ezy Box, Knock off style brackets this might be a solution for you. My plan is to finish engineering and make mine out of metal with the mounting holes to mate to my dish/bracket. The cool thing is people will be able to use it with my AB/WL adapter and use any of these high quality Elinchrom modifiers with their AB's. This might be nice if the ABMAX makes it to market and you want higher quality modifiers than Buff offers.

Anyway for those interested I will keep everyone posted when I get some into production.

[tetrode]

Thanks to Dave I got my hands on one of these. Funny it works similar to what I have been designing. I'm not happy with the construction at all of this for a long term mounting ring. It's made of thin plastic and with the cost of it and having to import it at a high cost it's not going to be a good solution for me to couple it with my bracket. It has brought me that much closer to making something I can market though and I would like to thank Dave for that....:)

I do think for people using the Alzo, Ezy Box, Knock off style brackets this might be a solution for you. My plan is to finish engineering and make mine out of metal with the mounting holes to mate to my dish/bracket. The cool thing is people will be able to use it with my AB/WL adapter and use any of these high quality Elinchrom modifiers with their AB's. This might be nice if the ABMAX makes it to market and you want higher quality modifiers than Buff offers.

Anyway for those interested I will keep everyone posted when I get some into production.

Jerry, this was just a stop-gap fun project for me. I'll be first in line when you have an industrial strength solution available.

Dave F.

[tetrode]

I'd be curious to see what you do with the locking pin Dave.

It's nice to be able to fire a Speedlight into a reflector and have a grid but unless you're going to use something like a Sto-Fen or Nikon Diffusion Dome then the light is just going to fire straight ahead and the reflector won't do much except possibly control some of the spill.

It would be great to see the Speedlight with Sto-Fen forward of the rear opening and look at the light pattern to see if it becomes more round and even. I'd love to be able to change that Speedlight elliptical pattern to a round one.

There's a little bit of method to my madness, Robert. A Canon 580EX II is shown in the photos but my intent is to use this bracket with my bare bulb Sunpak 120J. I haven't checked the "fit" with that flash yet but will tomorrow. You're quite correct that the rectangular pattern of a standard shoe mount flash will compromise the utility of this arrangement in most cases.

Dave F.

[TMR Design]

Jerry, this was just a stop-gap fun project for me. I'll be first in line when you have an industrial strength solution available.

Dave F.

No cutting in line Dave. I thought I was first in line. :D

[J Kacey]

Jerry, this was just a stop-gap fun project for me. I'll be first in line when you have an industrial strength solution available.

Dave F.

I think what you did there looks great!
If this had a metal ring around it or something it would be stronger. I would just hate to import a bunch of these and after a while have the plastic crack and people be disappointed. It would be a weak link that I'm going to avoid.

Plus the initial cost and import makes it difficult even if it were stronger.
Your help has really helped me get something going that I can offer:)

Big Thanks Dave!

[TMR Design]

I think what you did there looks great!
If this had a metal ring around it or something it would be stronger. I would just hate to import a bunch of these and after a while have the plastic crack and people be disappointed. It would be a weak link that I'm going to avoid.

Plus the initial cost and import makes it difficult even if it were stronger.
Your help has really helped me get something going that I can offer:)

Big Thanks Dave!

I agree that what Dave has done it outstanding. Ultimately I believe you're right about the plastic cracking and if I were to use something like this, especially on location, I wouldn't trust it without a locking collar or switch as is used in the D-Lite's. But even with that locking collar, the mount is still made entirely of plastic and without the protection of a strobe's housing I don't think it would hold up over time.

[tetrode]

... Ultimately I believe you're right about the plastic cracking and if I were to use something like this, especially on location, I wouldn't trust it without a locking collar or switch as is used in the D-Lite's. But even with that locking collar, the mount is still made entirely of plastic and without the protection of a strobe's housing I don't think it would hold up over time.

The plastic is actually pretty sturdy, Robert. After all, this is the very same component found in our 600RX accesory mounts. I really can't see it failing in day-to-day use. It would probably be fine for location shooting as well barring a toppled light stand. I'm more concerned about the lack of a locking mechanism than the strength of the plastic ring itself.

Dave F.

[FlashZebra]

The plastic is actually pretty sturdy, Robert. After all, this is the very same component found in our 600RX accesory mounts. I really can't see it failing in day-to-day use. It would probably be fine for location shooting as well barring a toppled light stand. I'm more concerned about the lack of a locking mechanism than the strength of the plastic ring itself.

Dave F.
A decent guess, without actually seeing this ring, is the plastic material is polycarbonate (trade name Lexan).

The is the material used in compact disks, and "real" Plexiglas for airplane canopies, and other demanding applications.

Polycarbonate is a substantial plastic.

But looking at the part in the image of post #4 (look at the juncture of the two surfaces just to the right of the tip of white arrowhead in the image), those dead sharp corners (no meaningful molded in radii) on the part is a concern. The lack of radii will promote stress concentrations at the sharp features and really promote the possibility of cracking.

Enjoy! Lon

[TMR Design]

That was what I was getting at, and the fact that the component is not mounted in the housing of a strobe. Part of what keeps it from breaking or being stressed is the fact that it its protested and surrounded by other components and the rather substantial case of the strobe.

When used as a standalone component it is exposed and much more likely to break or crack whether from use or in setup or breakdown.

I'm not trying to be negative because I still think what Dave did is VERY cool and a solution that many of us have been looking for, but I do question the durability.

[tetrode]

...
But looking at the part in the image of post #4 (look at the juncture of the two surfaces just to the right of the tip of white arrowhead in the image), those dead sharp corners (no meaningful molded in radii) on the part is a concern. The lack of radii will promote stress concentrations at the sharp features and really promote the possibility of cracking.

Enjoy! Lon

Do we remember the square windows on the DeHavilland Comet I and what THEY caused?

Dave F.

[tetrode]

That was what I was getting at, and the fact that the component is not mounted in the housing of a strobe. Part of what keeps it from breaking or being stressed is the fact that it its protested and surrounded by other components and the rather substantial case of the strobe.

When used as a standalone component it is exposed and much more likely to break or crack whether from use or in setup or breakdown.

The ring itself is very rigid, Robert, and will not flex in your hand. With a backing plate screwed on (even the Masonite used in my prototype), the assembly feels extremely solid. With a modifier mounted, the stress is borne primarily by the Masonite where the Lastolite bracked is bolted on. I suspect if something is going to fail, it will be that lower section of Masonite (I wish I could work with aluminum plate). Dropped on cement the ring might crack but, if Lon is correct and it is made from a member of the Lexan family, it probably won't. Note that the newest version of the Lastolite EZYbox Hotshoe comes with a bracket fabricated from Delrin. It is no longer metal.

I'm not trying to be negative because I still think what Dave did is VERY cool and a solution that many of us have been looking for, but I do question the durability.

Fair enough question, Robert. Time will tell. At $20/ring, I won't be doing any stress testing on my remaining samples ;).

Dave F.

[abdul10000]

Thanks to Dave I got my hands on one of these. Funny it works similar to what I have been designing.

Jerry,


Do you still need another sample or is the one you got is all you need? If you still need one let me know as I should be getting my set in 1 week.



Dave,

Great mod, many thanks for posting this.

[tetrode]

Dave,

Great mod, many thanks for posting this.

Thank you, Abdul. My pleasure.

Dave F.

[MR do little]

Nice Job Dave, looks good!

[tetrode]

Robert, since you broached the subject of rectangular flash heads (i.e. shoe mount flash units) in round reflectors, I thought I'd do a quick test to see how the pattern thrown by a Nikon SB-26 would compare to the pattern thrown by a Sunpak 120J in bare bulb mode.

Setup was simple: The flash units were placed in my DIY Elinchrom adapter bracket with an Elinchrom 7" grid reflector mounted up front. Two shots were taken with each flash; one with a 20-degree grid installed in the reflector and one without. The front edge of the reflector was positioned 38-inches from a white Lastolite collapsible background.

SB-26 with grid:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/3733157588_2f5c021829_o.jpg

Sunpak 120J with grid:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2509/3733157504_3649472e55_o.jpg

SB-26 without grid:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3733157544_4bb0a1d3d6_o.jpg

Sunpak 120j without grid:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3521/3733157530_7453b1bc29_o.jpg

No grid, no difference at this exposure level. With a grid, the bare bulb flash does throw a more attractive pattern. The gridded SB-26 seems to project a central square with a circular core.

By the way, my mod has already been modded: The head of the 120J wouldn't fit in my carefully measured central opening. Had to Dremel an extra 1/8" on the top and bottom this morning. Grrrr.

Dave F.

[J Kacey]

Appreciate the offer Abdul. I really only needed to see one for a few minutes.
Dave kinda surprised me and sent one over for me to inspect. I do think these will work well for there intended purpose of mounting modifiers to the wall for storage. I also agree with Dave this is a DYI option for folks to innovate a way to do this. It's just not strong enough for me to feel good about using with my system.

I'm hoping to have time to get something like this available soon. This should open a window for mating different brand studio flashes with Elinchrom modifiers too.

Jerry,


Do you still need another sample or is the one you got is all you need? If you still need one let me know as I should be getting my set in 1 week.



Dave,

Great mod, many thanks for posting this.

[TMR Design]

Robert, since you broached the subject of rectangular flash heads (i.e. shoe mount flash units) in round reflectors, I thought I'd do a quick test to see how the pattern thrown by a Nikon SB-26 would compare to the pattern thrown by a Sunpak 120J in bare bulb mode.

Setup was simple: The flash units were placed in my DIY Elinchrom adapter bracket with an Elinchrom 7" grid reflector mounted up front. Two shots were taken with each flash; one with a 20-degree grid installed in the reflector and one without. The front edge of the reflector was positioned 38-inches from a white Lastolite collapsible background.

SB-26 with grid:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/3733157588_2f5c021829_o.jpg

Sunpak 120J with grid:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2509/3733157504_3649472e55_o.jpg

SB-26 without grid:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3733157544_4bb0a1d3d6_o.jpg

Sunpak 120j without grid:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3521/3733157530_7453b1bc29_o.jpg

No grid, no difference at this exposure level. With a grid, the bare bulb flash does throw a more attractive pattern. The gridded SB-26 seems to project a central square with a circular core.

By the way, my mod has already been modded: The head of the 120J wouldn't fit in my carefully measured central opening. Had to Dremel an extra 1/8" on the top and bottom this morning. Grrrr.

Dave F.

Very interesting Dave. Thanks.

How far into the reflector is the front of the flash head? Since you didn't mention it I'm assuming that those shots were taken without the Nikon diffusion dome or a Sto-Fen? That's pretty good if that's the case and I bet it would be even better with the diffuser.

[J Kacey]

Thanks for taking the time to post these Dave
Looking good

[tetrode]

... Since you didn't mention it I'm assuming that those shots were taken without the Nikon diffusion dome or a Sto-Fen? That's pretty good if that's the case and I bet it would be even better with the diffuser.

Doh! That's what I forgot! Sorry, Robert. I don't have a dome for the SB-26 but I do for my SB-800s. I'll retest with a domed SB-800.

Dave F.

[TMR Design]

Thanks Dave,

Can you also shoot the images underexposed so that we can really see the pattern and transitions from hot spot to the outer areas? Keeping detail proves to be better for viewing light patterns and falloff.

[mufutau55]

This guy Dave aka "Tetrode" is too good with all this DIY. And that's not too good. :)
I always enjoy your DIY with "Silvvr" (spelling) and TMR. .. I mean Robert :) (probably missing more names, sorry!).
You guys are great, and just to let you know, I hangout in this Lighting forum because of you guys..
Good thing I shifted gear from dpreview.com and fredmiranda.com.. this is a learning place to be.. Thank you guys.

Note: Even though I don't do many of these DIY Mod.. I enjoy learning and looking at them for alternatives.

Mufutau

[tetrode]

Thanks Dave,

Can you also shoot the images underexposed so that we can really see the pattern and transitions from hot spot to the outer areas? Keeping detail proves to be better for viewing light patterns and falloff.

Okay, Robert. Here's a retest using an SB800 in the 7" reflector. The four photos show the pattern with and without the diffusion dome and with and without the 20-degree grid.

First, the setup:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3533/3733548966_2dc6924e91_o.jpg

I had to improvise a bit here because the power cable from the Quantum Turbo battery enters the SB-800 from the front which prevents the flash head from being positioned inside the adapter. Yes, that is an original Spiratone tilting flash shoe. I knew there was a reason why I've kept it all these years.

Anyway, from the front:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3536/3733549022_93190c209e_o.jpg

The dome is positioned mostly inside the Masonite backplane.

The test shots:

SB-800 with no diffusion dome and no grid:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3423/3733548882_069026d95e_o.jpg

And with the dome but still without the grid (note that I didn't adjust exposure to compensate for the presence of the dome so its effect would be apparent):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3512/3733548820_818ff82c1e_o.jpg

Now here's the result without the diffusion dome but with the grid:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3421/3732749509_9cb10536df_o.jpg

And finally with the dome and with the grid:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2619/3732749395_43db7e0a8f_o.jpg

The effect of the dome looks to be rather subtle. Is it worth the loss of a stop or so of light? You be the judge.

Dave F.

[TMR Design]

Thanks Dave. Much better.

It would appear that the diffusion dome is not really doing anything significant to make me want to lose the stop of light. I'm actually surprised because I thought that with the flash firing straight ahead and nothing to spread the light out within the reflector that we wouldn't see a round pattern.

I forgot to ask what the zoom setting was on the flash. Are you using 24mm or is the wide panel down? How far inside the reflector is the front of the flash head. Is it flush with the lip at the mouth (sounds dirty, doesn't it? lol) of the reflector? The results are very encouraging, that's for sure.

[J Kacey]

Thanks Dave. Much better.

It would appear that the diffusion dome is not really doing anything significant to make me want to love the stop of light. .

Looks like if it was inserted forward into the reflector more it might make a difference
I'm impressed by the results without the diffuser.

[TMR Design]

OK, I've been holding back but I simply have to ask....

Dave, if this is Part I, what can we expect to see in Part II?

[bobbyz]

Without the diffuser looks good.

[tetrode]

Looks like if it was inserted forward into the reflector more it might make a difference
I'm impressed by the results without the diffuser.

Yes, Jerry, I think we're all a bit surprised by the diffuser-less results.

To give you a better idea of flash head position, I removed the reflector and took a few more photos.

Here you can see that the diffusion dome is well inside the backplane:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3467/3733697092_2a3b46eff0_o.jpg

Maybe a better perspective:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3428/3732896793_89c615870e_o.jpg

And a view with the dome removed:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2516/3733697040_8110a90c58_o.jpg

With the dome removed, the front edge of the flash head is even with front edge of the Elinchrom ring.

To answer Robert's question, the tests were done with the WA panel deployed.

Dave F.

[tetrode]

OK, I've been holding back but I simply have to ask....

Dave, if this is Part I, what can we expect to see in Part II?

I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you, Robert. Look at the title of my second post in this thread. Sorry, but that was part II :(

Dave F.

[TMR Design]

Yes, Jerry, I think we're all a bit surprised by the diffuser-less results.

To give you a better idea of flash head position, I removed the reflector and took a few more photos.

Here you can see that the diffusion dome is well inside the backplane:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3467/3733697092_2a3b46eff0_o.jpg

Maybe a better perspective:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3428/3732896793_89c615870e_o.jpg

And a view with the dome removed:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2516/3733697040_8110a90c58_o.jpg

With the dome removed, the front edge of the flash head is even with front edge of the Elinchrom ring.

To answer Robert's question, the tests were done with the WA panel deployed.

Dave F.

Ok that makes sense. Even with the wide panel down I didn't think the coverage would be that even. Excellent. It makes me wonder why there aren't commercially available reflectors sold for this exact purpose.

[TMR Design]

I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you, Robert. Look at the title of my second post in this thread. Sorry, but that was part II :(

Dave F.

Ahh I did miss that. Sadly, I am disappointed. :(
:cool:

[tetrode]

Ahh I did miss that. Sadly, I am disappointed. :(
:cool:

I'll try to make it up to you.

Dave F.

[J Kacey]

Yes, Jerry, I think we're all a bit surprised by the diffuser-less results.

To give you a better idea of flash head position, I removed the reflector and took a few more photos.

Here you can see that the diffusion dome is well inside the backplane:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3467/3733697092_2a3b46eff0_o.jpg

Maybe a better perspective:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3428/3732896793_89c615870e_o.jpg

And a view with the dome removed:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2516/3733697040_8110a90c58_o.jpg

With the dome removed, the front edge of the flash head is even with front edge of the Elinchrom ring.

To answer Robert's question, the tests were done with the WA panel deployed.

Dave F.

Thanks Dave I see it was just hard to see from the previous images.


Ahh I did miss that. Sadly, I am disappointed. :(
:cool:
I'll take over Robert....;)
Hopefully soon , I will have something together that can be commercially available to open up a way of using Elinchrom modifiers with Speedlights as well as other studio flashes

[abdul10000]

Thanks Dave I see it was just hard to see from the previous images.



I'll take over Robert....;)
Hopefully soon , I will have something together that can be commercially available to open up a way of using Elinchrom modifiers with Speedlights as well as other studio flashes


Do you think it will be possible to use your double flash adapter in this setup, or is the Elinchrom opening not large enough?

[Cathpah]

So Dave, are you going to share where/how you got this magical ring from the support set?

Have you found a supplier in North America?

[J Kacey]

Do you think it will be possible to use your double flash adapter in this setup, or is the Elinchrom opening not large enough?

It will only support one flash, but I think that it will work well. My 580 EX in a box seems to work fine.


So Dave, are you going to share where/how you got this magical ring from the support set?

Have you found a supplier in North America?

Don't incriminate yourself Dave.... :grin:

[Hermes]

Nice job. I'd been meaning to try making a bracket like this for a while but I eventually let it go because the bits of my elinchrom modifiers that really matter to me (grids, gels, barndoors, e.t.c.) wouldn't be able to come with me for strobist work. I doubt anyone's interested, but they way I'd planned to make it was with the bracket mount splitting into a 'Y' shape around the hole for the speedlite so it could be screwed to the backplate at four different points.

One thing that strikes me is that there's enough room in the top section of the backplate to add a little section of metal tube so that deflectors can be inserted inside softboxes, reflectors, e.t.c. Could be a nice addition to the commercial version.

[J Kacey]

One thing that strikes me is that there's enough room in the top section of the backplate to add a little section of metal tube so that deflectors can be inserted inside softboxes, reflectors, e.t.c. Could be a nice addition to the commercial version.
Can you elaborate on this a little? Not sure what you mean, but would like to make sure I get everybody's ideas into what I'm making.


The other thing I would like to know Dave.... Is the angle you mounted these white lines critical? I was going to put then inline with my mount holes on my bracket.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/595218680_bh7j8-L-0.jpg

[TMR Design]

Hi Jerry,

Dave has actually replicated the exact position of the mounting holes as well as the alignment marking. That's exactly what it would look like if you were standing in front of an Elinchrom strobe.

[Hermes]

Can you elaborate on this a little? Not sure what you mean, but would like to make sure I get everybody's ideas into what I'm making.


The other thing I would like to know Dave.... Is the angle you mounted these white lines critical? I was going to put then inline with my mount holes on my bracket.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/595218680_bh7j8-L-0.jpg


You can see the hole for attaching bayonet style modifiers like elinchrom umbrellas and deflectors clearly in this picture:- http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:GPWMupgM08IJ:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Elinchrom_D-Lite_4_showing_bayonet.jpg+elinchrom+front+view&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk&client=firefox-a

If you could incorporate an 8mm hole/tube with a friction mount strong enough to also hold the 7mm elinchrom stuff, you'd have a universal central umbrella mount incorporated into your adapter. I can post a picture of the bayonet tube if you want as I have one taken from an old light.

To answer the other question for Dave, yes, the placement of the white lines is crucial as elinchrom modifiers are manufactured to line-up correctly with the lines in that position. Obviously wouldn't matter for round modifiers but modifiers which are square and can't rotate (portalite softboxes, square 44, e.t.c.) would end up at a strange angle if the lines were horizontal.

[tetrode]

Can you elaborate on this a little? Not sure what you mean, but would like to make sure I get everybody's ideas into what I'm making.


The other thing I would like to know Dave.... Is the angle you mounted these white lines critical? I was going to put then inline with my mount holes on my bracket.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/595218680_bh7j8-L-0.jpg

Robert and Hermes are correct, Jerry. Orientation of the ring is absolutely critical. Here's why:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/3731136078_611e53e788_o.jpg

Dave F.

[tetrode]

So Dave, are you going to share where/how you got this magical ring from the support set?

Have you found a supplier in North America?

It's not a closely held secret, Jeff. First I tried sourcing the rings from Bogen here in the US. They were singularly unhelpful. Next, I tried Vistek in Canada. They were MUCH more accommodating than Bogen and were willing to special order the ring set for me. However, they said it would take six to eight weeks to get.

Since I had no other option, I was going to place the order with Vistek when fate stepped in. A friend of mine emailed me saying he was currently in London and would be returning to the US the following Sunday AND would be staying at my house Sunday night. You know where this is going, right? I immediately emailed him back and asked if he'd mind picking up the reflector support set for me at the Flash Centre in London. I had first verified that TFC had the rings on hand and that they would not ship out of the UK (they can't as UK Elinchrom distributers). So, I heard from my friend on Wednesday and had the rings in my hand Sunday evening.

The rings cost a ludicrous 49 GBP with VAT or roughly $20 per ring. However, now that I have very workable solution to a thorny problem, the $20 for a plastic ring doesn't seem so distasteful.

Here's something else that's interesting: I had contacted Vistek about both the reflector support set and the Elinchrom Polystand. Neither of these items appeared on the Vistek website. To their credit, they were willing to order both of these items for me. The elusive Polystand was something I *really* wanted. Vistek quoted a very good price but, within three days, I received a follow-up email from Vistek with a revisd quote as Elinchrom had raised the Polystand price a gargantuan 25%. But I digress. What I found interesting was that within days of my inquiry, both the Polystand AND the ring set magically appeared on the Vistek site. Here's the ring set:

http://vistek.ca/store/ProPhotoElinchrom/219305/elinchrom-bayonet-reflector-support-set.aspx

Their price is very good. Don't know about availability but here's your answer: If you're looking for the reflector support set in North America, call Gary at Vistek.


Dave F.

[Cathpah]

Dave,
I love your attention to detail and the extreme amount of research/phone calls/work you put into tracking things like this down.

Thanks very much for such a complete answer, and I may just have give ol' vistek a call.

And on a side note....that poly stand looks awesome.

[tetrode]

Dave,
I love your attention to detail and the extreme amount of research/phone calls/work you put into tracking things like this down.

Thanks very much for such a complete answer, and I may just have give ol' vistek a call.

And on a side note....that poly stand looks awesome.

I really need to get a life, don't I?

Dave F.

[TMR Design]

I really need to get a life, don't I?

Dave F.

Get a life? Is that possible? I have a feeling we're all in a little too deep for that. ;)

[tetrode]

Get a life? Is that possible? I have a feeling we're all in a little too deep for that. ;)

Alas, Robert, I fear it isn't. But then, misery loves company, and I know you and I aren't the only ones with the POTN affliction.

Dave F.

[Cathpah]

Alas, Robert, I fear it isn't. But then, misery loves company, and I know you and I aren't the only ones with the POTN affliction.

Dave F.

You better not be insinuating that anyone else in this thread has it! Because darnit, I have feelings too! :p

[MR do little]

LOL to funny!

[tetrode]

Not to beat a dead horse but the adapter works very well with a snoot:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3501/3737034441_4fdec61d5a_o.jpg

It will throw a pattern like this:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3431/3737828766_917e53494e_o.jpg

For an effect like this (sorry about the glare):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3467/3737034347_779b460f0b_o.jpg

Dave F.

[TMR Design]

Is that the Interfit snoot Dave?

[tetrode]

Is that the Interfit snoot Dave?

It most certainly is, Robert. If you don't have one, note that it comes with a gridded cap that slips on the snoot's nose. However, a shadow of the grid pattern is always projected when it's used. You wind up with a circular pool of light with a honeycomb overlay. The snoot does its job better without the supplied grid.

Dave F.

[TMR Design]

It most certainly is, Robert. If you don't have one, note that it comes with a gridded cap that slips on the snoot's nose. However, a shadow of the grid pattern is always projected when it's used. You wind up with a circular pool of light with a honeycomb overlay. The snoot does its job better without the supplied grid.

Dave F.

Have you ever compared the Interfit to the Elinchrom snoot? Are the grids similar?

[tetrode]

Have you ever compared the Interfit to the Elinchrom snoot? Are the grids similar?

No, I can't say that I have compared them in any way other than price. $30 vs. $73 made the choice easy for me. However, I think I can say that the Elinchrom comes with a much finer grid than the Interfit. Elinchrom specifies their grid at 10-degrees I haven't seen a specification for the Interfit grid but just from looking at it it's obvious it's nowhere near 10-degrees.

Dave F.

[TMR Design]

Slightly off-topic, but have you ever seen the Speedotron 7" 3 degree grid? I'd be very interested to check one of those out. :D

[tetrode]

Slightly off-topic, but have you ever seen the Speedotron 7" 3 degree grid? I'd be very interested to check one of those out. :D


This is POTN, Robert, where there is no such thing as off-topic.

A 3-degree grid? Didn't know there was such a thing. When you're not using it in the studio, you could use it to filter protozoa from your drinking water.

Dave F.

[TMR Design]

This is a used item so there's no telling how long the link will be active.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800643617-USE/Speedotron_14611_7_Honeycomb_Grid_3.html#features

[Cathpah]

This is a used item so there's no telling how long the link will be active.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800643617-USE/Speedotron_14611_7_Honeycomb_Grid_3.html#features

uh oh....you shouldn't've thrown that out on here. I may be the reason why that link doesn't work anymore. :lol:

HERE (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/50286-REG/Speedotron_14611_7_Honeycomb_Grid_3.html)'s a link to one that is new though.

Thanks for the heads up on the existence of the 3 degree grid! Seemed too interesting to pass up.

[holmespun]

My plan is to finish engineering and make mine out of metal with the mounting holes to mate to my dish/bracket. The cool thing is people will be able to use it with my AB/WL adapter and use any of these high quality Elinchrom modifiers with their AB's. This might be nice if the ABMAX makes it to market and you want higher quality modifiers than Buff offers.

Anyway for those interested I will keep everyone posted when I get some into production.

Is the idea to produce something like Dave's DIY solution to use Elinchrom modifiers with speedlites? If so, I would definitely buy one! What kind of time frame are you thinking of? Would it be able to work with the new PW Flex?

[TMR Design]

uh oh....you shouldn't've thrown that out on here. I may be the reason why that link doesn't work anymore. :lol:

HERE (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/50286-REG/Speedotron_14611_7_Honeycomb_Grid_3.html)'s a link to one that is new though.

Thanks for the heads up on the existence of the 3 degree grid! Seemed too interesting to pass up.

I had a feeling someone would grab it. Now you can let us know how you like it's usefulness. Offhand I can't think of an application for a 3 degree grid but the idea does sound cool.

[Cathpah]

I had a feeling someone would grab it. Now you can let us know how you like it's usefulness. Offhand I can't think of an application for a 3 degree grid but the idea does sound cool.

agreed. No idea what use I'll need it for, but I really enjoy using a product that others may not to achieve a different look. I'll have to play with it, but I'm sure I'll find some sort of niche for it in my army of gear.

[tetrode]

agreed. No idea what use I'll need it for, but I really enjoy using a product that others may not to achieve a different look. I'll have to play with it, but I'm sure I'll find some sort of niche for it in my army of gear.

If it doesn't work out for photography, Jeff, maybe you could use it to extrude angel hair pasta.

Dave F.

[Hermes]

agreed. No idea what use I'll need it for, but I really enjoy using a product that others may not to achieve a different look. I'll have to play with it, but I'm sure I'll find some sort of niche for it in my army of gear.

Hate to bring you down but I'm pretty sure you'd need to black out the interior of your reflector to actually get a 3 degree spread out of that thing as it looks to be designed for a black 'reflector'.

You also get rapidly diminishing returns with narrower grids as you can obviously never get a spot smaller that the diameter of the light source. Even at 6 feet from the target, the difference in the diameter of the spot produced by a 3 degree grid and a standard 10 degree grid would only be 4-5 inches. I suspect this is why most brands stop making narrower grids at around 10 degrees.

Don't blame you for buying it though. You can never really tell how something works for you until you try it.

[J Kacey]

Is the idea to produce something like Dave's DIY solution to use Elinchrom modifiers with speedlites? If so, I would definitely buy one! What kind of time frame are you thinking of? Would it be able to work with the new PW Flex?

Yes, that is what I'm working on...
My current speedlight bracket works with the PW flex.
I will keep everyone posted when I get production close.

[slivr]

Great modification and find, Dave! I've been wondering if you've experienced any issue with it being a bit too front-heavy when mounting certain modifiers such as a large softbox (or even the Speedotron beauty dish)? I'm thinking a mod like with with a way to mount counterweights to the backside ... or perhaps some kind of mounting bracket that allows the entire assembly to slide forward/backward over the center of the stand might be beneficial for outdoor location work to keep it from pitching forward under weight.

One can always weight down the stand or sandbag its legs, but I think even doing that I'd like to have a centered weight at the head to prevent undue stress. Do you notice any issue with the modifiers mounted? Thx!

[tetrode]

Great modification and find, Dave! I've been wondering if you've experienced any issue with it being a bit too front-heavy when mounting certain modifiers such as a large softbox (or even the Speedotron beauty dish)? I'm thinking a mod like with with a way to mount counterweights to the backside ... or perhaps some kind of mounting bracket that allows the entire assembly to slide forward/backward over the center of the stand might be beneficial for outdoor location work to keep it from pitching forward under weight.

One can always weight down the stand or sandbag its legs, but I think even doing that I'd like to have a centered weight at the head to prevent undue stress. Do you notice any issue with the modifiers mounted? Thx!

Hi, Jason. Thanks for the compliment. I do appreciate it. Even though I originally billed this adapter as a prototype, I'm finding that it works extremely well for me as it is.

To answer your question, no, I'm not finding it to be front-heavy with any of the modifiers I've tried. Note that I have not been bold enough to try it with the DT. That might be tempting fate.

I've tried softboxes up to 36" x 48" and have had no issues but I think the adapter and I both feel more comfortable with nothing larger than a 32" x 24" softbox or 39" octabox. Even with the big softbox aboard, the lightstand was stable. The lightstand has, I believe, a 39" footprint. The assembly is also quite stable with the Speedotron dish mounted. Even though tipping appears not to be an issue, I do tend to keep an 11 pound weight clamped to the stand as a precaution. Your idea of rear-mounting a counterweight is a good one. I've done that with monolights, using the umbrella mounting tube in reverse.

I suspect a very deep modifier like the Elinchrom DT would cause instability. Here's why I'm being cautious and haven't tested with the DT:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3433/3776426054_8571508ddf_o.jpg


Excuse the high end graphics. The most likely point of failure is circled. Once the Masonite backplane has been replaced with something more rigid like aluminum plate, I would expect any modifier could be mounted without worry. Testing with the DT would not be a problem then.

I should mention that my prototype has been modified a bit since the original photos were posted. Later this weekend I may post some updated views.

I would encourage you to tackle this project. Fabricating one of these adapters can be relatively simple and straightforward like my Smart Car version, or more labor intensive and complex like Robert's Hummer H2 version. I'm sure you'd find that being able to use Elinchrom-mount reflectors and modifiers quickly and easily with shoe-mount flash units amazingly useful.

Dave F.

[TMR Design]

On my version (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=731083) the combination os using steel to make the bracket and the aluminum reinforced speed ring makes it very strong and it does not bow or bend. I've done preliminary testing with the Speedotron 22" beauty dish, the Elinchrom 39" Deep Octa, the 53" Midi Octa and a 36" x 48" Photoflex softbox and there's no chance of failure.

[tetrode]

On my version (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=731083) the combination os using steel to make the bracket and the aluminum reinforced speed ring makes it very strong and it does not bow or bend. I've done preliminary testing with the Speedotron 22" beauty dish, the Elinchrom 39" Deep Octa, the 53" Midi Octa and a 36" x 48" Photoflex softbox and there's no chance of failure.

Arms race?

No flexing or heavy breathing with a 5' Photoflex Octabox:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2436/3775811881_b6163425d9_o.jpg

See, it's smiling:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3776619328_0b4e9db5c8_o.jpg

Small but mighty!

By the way, notice that the whole shebang is mounted on a teensy Manfrotto 7' Stacker stand. Perfectly stable.

Dave F.

[TMR Design]

Arms race?

No Dave, not at all. Just explaining to Jason that it's not as prone to leaning or tilting forward as he might think. I didn't want to speak for you or your mount so I mentioned mine. :D

[slivr]

Outstanding - thanks for showing that 5-footer on your adapter! That alleviates some of my concern for sure. I definitely have to tackle this! I just had a location shoot last weekend in a decrepid old railcar where this would've been worth it's weight in silver to me. :) Robert's build is certainly inspiring with its attached speedring for sure but my talent working with metal fabrication doesn't extend beyond drilling a hole in the stuff so I'll have to mull this over a bit. I'm jealous!

Awesome work to both you guys, and thanks for the fresh inspiration. Not only practical ... but should be fun as hell to put together.

[slivr]

Order Update: After reading through Dave's initial post about these rings I ordered a set from Vistek.ca on August 1st. On August 8th (a full week later) I received confirmation that my order had been accepted and was being processed but the product was on backorder and would take between 2-4 weeks to arrive. Not a problem ... just excited to have them coming. Then today (August 20th) I receive an email they cannot ship product outside of Canada so my order's been cancelled.

Aww, Geez! Took 'em 3 full weeks to figure that out? Disappointing. Dave - be glad you got your friend to grab a set on his way over.

[TMR Design]

Bummer Jason :(

[tetrode]

Order Update: After reading through Dave's initial post about these rings I ordered a set from Vistek.ca on August 1st. On August 8th (a full week later) I received confirmation that my order had been accepted and was being processed but the product was on backorder and would take between 2-4 weeks to arrive. Not a problem ... just excited to have them coming. Then today (August 20th) I receive an email they cannot ship product outside of Canada so my order's been cancelled.

Aww, Geez! Took 'em 3 full weeks to figure that out? Disappointing. Dave - be glad you got your friend to grab a set on his way over.

I've done this dance with Vistek myself, Jason, when I ordered a NIB Elinchrom 18" square reflector from them maybe 10 months ago. I was initially told that they are not allowed to ship any Elinchrom product outside of Canada. However, I argued that the 18" (44cm) reflector was a discontinued item and not available in the US. That worked and the order was filled.

More relevant to your situation, when I initially planned on ordering the reflector support set and Polystand from Vistek, I again had to point out that neither item was currently being imported by Bogen and that Bogen had refused to special order either the rings or the Polystand for me.

It might be worth your while to ask to speak with Gary in the Pro Lighting department. It was Gary who was willing and able to make my Vistek Elinchrom orders happen.

Dave F.

[abdul10000]

Bogen had refused to special order either the rings or the Polystand for me.


It was the product manager that refused? Just curious, do you remember the reason he cited for refusing?

[tetrode]

It was the product manager that refused? Just curious, do you remember the reason he cited for refusing?

I spoke to Mark Astmann (Bogen's Elinchrom product manager) about it, Abdul. He just said those were two Elinchrom products not imported by Bogen into the US and that a one-off order was not possible. In this instance, he was not at all accommodating.

Dave F.

[abdul10000]

I spoke to Mark Astmann (Bogen's Elinchrom product manager) about it, Abdul. He just said those were two Elinchrom products not imported by Bogen into the US and that a one-off order was not possible. In this instance, he was not at all accommodating.

Dave F.

hes not being straight forward, my local distributor places orders for any item. They request for any special order item a 50% down payment, which I think is fair given that if the customer changes their mind they might end up with the item in the inventory for a very long time

[tetrode]

hes not being straight forward, my local distributor places orders for any item. They request for any special order item a 50% down payment, which I think is fair given that if the customer changes their mind they might end up with the item in the inventory for a very long time


Where are you located, Abdul, and who is your local distributor?

Dave F.

[slivr]

Where are you located, Abdul, and who is your local distributor?

Dave F.


I thought I saw he was out of the Middle East in another thread, so BogenUSA policies don't really apply to his distributor ... and vice-versa. You would expect that most every distributor would have a similar policy to the one he stated. It's unfortunate Bogen has decided to only allow a certain percentage of Elinchrom products to get through, considering they're the exclusive distributor for the whole country.

So anybody visiting England in the next few weeks? Hint-hint ;)

[Vineet666]

Wow, this is great. Have you taken any images with the large softboxes attached to these units? Would be great if you can post some links with the kind of results you are getting. I am a bit apprehensive about its power (since portability is the main purpose of the speedlights), so I would love to see it in practical use.

But again, this is a very smart idea. If its a bit low on power outdoors, one can always add a second flash or custom create the bracket to accommodate 2 speedlights!

[TMR Design]

Wow, this is great. Have you taken any images with the large softboxes attached to these units? Would be great if you can post some links with the kind of results you are getting. I am a bit apprehensive about its power (since portability is the main purpose of the speedlights), so I would love to see it in practical use.

But again, this is a very smart idea. If its a bit low on power outdoors, one can always add a second flash or custom create the bracket to accommodate 2 speedlights!

These shots were taken using a Nikon SB-900 firing into a Photoflex 36" x 48" softbox as the main light source. A reflector was used as fill.

http://robertmitchellphotography.zenfolio.com/img/v6/p577633587-5.jpg

http://robertmitchellphotography.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p831619982-5.jpg

http://robertmitchellphotography.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p596440151-4.jpg

http://robertmitchellphotography.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p862549248-5.jpg

I'm not sure what camera you use but with my Nikon D700 I don't hesitate for a minute to shoot at ISO 400 and with that ISO I get all the power I want with fast recycle times.

I could have shot at ISO 200 or even ISO 100 but I would have been at full power with slower recycles and not quite as much flexibility in terms of modifier to subject distance, but ISO 400 on my camera is indistinguishable from ISO 100.

[Vineet666]

^ Very cool results Robert, thanks for posting! I esp love the first pic. What lights were you using to illuminate the background? I am using Canon 40D, and will be using 580ii and 430ii for my purpose. I hope I can get similar results with those units .

[TMR Design]

I was using a pair of Elinchrom 600RX strobes with wide angle reflectors and deflectors to evenly light a 9 foot wide seamless background.

[mufutau55]

I love the output, but then it's always the photographer not the equipment. :)

But can you please tell me, what speedring or adapter did you to mount the SB-900 with the Photoflex 36" x 48" softbox? Links to the softbox and the speedring/adapter will be appreciated. I have seen too many Photoflex softbox and I don't know which is better.. So I will appreciate the B&H links.
Thanks.

Mufutau

These shots were taken using a Nikon SB-900 firing into a Photoflex 36" x 48" softbox as the main light source. A reflector was used as fill.

[TMR Design]

I love the output, but then it's always the photographer not the equipment. :)

But can you please tell me, what speedring or adapter did you to mount the SB-900 with the Photoflex 36" x 48" softbox? Links to the softbox and the speedring/adapter will be appreciated. I have seen too many Photoflex softbox and I don't know which is better.. So I will appreciate the B&H links.
Thanks.

Mufutau

Hi Mufutau,

Once you have the Elinchrom mount all you need is a standard speedring with an Elinchrom insert and you can use the softbox of your choice.

For all my Photoflex softboxes I use this Photoflex speed ring with Elinchrom mount:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/214757-REG/Photoflex_SC_B9014ELR_Speed_Ring_for_Elinchrom_.ht ml

[mufutau55]

Wrong link to the speedring Robert, not that I mind what I saw there though :)

Unfortunately, I do not have Elinchrom or the mount.. just trying to see/how I can mount the Canon 580EX/II with the Photoflex 36"x48" softbox.

Is this a good Photoflex 36'x48"?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/138243-REG/Photoflex_XT_3LLD293_LiteDome_Q39_Large_Softbox.ht ml

Mufutau

Hi Mufutau,

Once you have the Elinchrom mount all you need is a standard speedring with an Elinchrom insert and you can use the softbox of your choice.

For all my Photoflex softboxes I use this Photoflex speed ring with Elinchrom mount.

[TMR Design]

Oops. The wonders of computers.

I corrected the link. Here is is again.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/214757-REG/Photoflex_SC_B9014ELR_Speed_Ring_for_Elinchrom_.ht ml

[mufutau55]

Thanks. Then I can get the mount for my Bowens S Mount and modify it for the Canon 580EX/II.

Mufutau

Oops. The wonders of computers.

I corrected the link. Here is is again.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/214757-REG/Photoflex_SC_B9014ELR_Speed_Ring_for_Elinchrom_.ht ml

[TMR Design]

Thanks. Then I can get the mount for my Bowens S Mount and modify it for the Canon 580EX/II.

Mufutau

Yes, the nice thing about the Photoflex speed ring is that it has 1/4"-20 and 3/8" tapped mounting holes that can be used for all sorts of DIY mounts.

Prior to building the Elinchrom DIY I used to use this bracket with a Bogen 026 so I could fire my Speedlight's into standard softboxes.

This is the speed ring with a spigot installed in the 1/4"-20 tapped mounting hole.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=279926&d=1213465744

And this is a bracket I made that makes use of the umbrella mounting hole with the Softbox mounted to the top of the 026.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=279848&d=1213449700

There are a million ways to pull this off but that's how I was doing it.

[mufutau55]

You are the best Robert. I think I can also use my bracket from the Xtra-Small Softbox kit by Photoflex. I have got it now..Thanks as usual.

Is this one of the Photoflex good softbox that can be good for the flash mount?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/138243-REG/Photoflex_XT_3LLD293_LiteDome_Q39_Large_Softbox.ht ml

Mufutau

Yes, the nice thing about the Photoflex speed ring is that it has 1/4"-20 and 3/8" tapped mounting holes that can be used for all sorts of DIY mounts.

Prior to building the Elinchrom DIY I used to use this bracket with a Bogen 026 so I could fire my Speedlight's into standard softboxes.

This is the speed ring with a spigot installed in the 1/4"-20 tapped mounting hole.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=279926&d=1213465744

And this is a bracket I made that makes use of the umbrella mounting hole with the Softbox mounted to the top of the 026.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=279848&d=1213449700

There are a million ways to pull this off but that's how I was doing it.

[TMR Design]

You are the best Robert. I think I can also use my bracket from the Xtra-Small Softbox kit by Photoflex. I have got it now..Thanks as usual.

Mufutau

That bracket may very well work but if I were you I'd reinforce it. When I had that bracket and mounted the 36" x 48" it was flexing quite a bit. I was able to reinforce it with a small steel 'L' bracket.

[TMR Design]

You are the best Robert. I think I can also use my bracket from the Xtra-Small Softbox kit by Photoflex. I have got it now..Thanks as usual.

Is this one of the Photoflex good softbox that can be good for the flash mount?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/138243-REG/Photoflex_XT_3LLD293_LiteDome_Q39_Large_Softbox.ht ml

Yes, you can either get the LiteDome (white interior) or the MultiDome (silver interior). I don't have any trouble with the white interior but the silver interior will give you greater efficiency and a little more pop. Either will work.

[mufutau55]

I can't thank you enough for both messages.. I will surely reinforce the bracket as suggested.. also I will look for the Silver interior softbox.
Thanks again for always sharing your knowledge.

Mufutau

Yes, you can either get the LiteDome (white interior) or the MultiDome (silver interior). I don't have any trouble with the white interior but the silver interior will give you greater efficiency and a little more pop. Either will work.

[ponzy]

nice designs, i wonder if i can make it tho, lol...............