Shoe Mount Flash to Elinchrom Adapter: A major breakthrough!

[tetrode]

Three weeks ago, I started a thread describing a DIY shoe mount flash to Elinchrom accessory adaper (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=725198).

Our last episode concluded with the bracket looking like this:

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

While the adapter worked as intended (i.e. mating Elinchrom mount accessories to shoe mount flash units), there was no way to lock accessories in place and that was major shortcoming of bracket v 1.0.

Happy days! A solution to the locking problem has been found: For approximately $22 Bogen (for those of you in the US) will gladly sell you an almost complete Elinchrom accessory mount. What you get are the inner plastic mounting ring (the same ring you get with the the reflector support set) and the outer locking collar. As I found out the hard way, what isn't included (thus the "almost complete" wording) is the all-important pin required to actually lock accessories in the mount. Another $5 for this "spring clip" and you've got everything you need to assemble a fully operational Elinchrom accessory mount.

In one regard, luck was with me because it turned out the the existing backplane of my prototype is exactly what's required to hold the outer locking collar in place:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2522/3819178694_9b055605dc_o.jpg

I received the crucial spring clip today, popped it into the mount, and this is what we now have:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3473/3818083815_3a68708bb2_o.jpg

It looks and operates just like the mount on a 600RX. Here are views of the locking pin in action:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3524/3817943997_fdb01c04aa_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2527/3818754154_03607ce4d5_o.jpg

I am *extremely* pleased with the way this project is turning out. The final phase in its evolution will see the Masonite backplane replaced by a more appropriate and robust material.

Dave F.

[TMR Design]

OK Dave, don't hold out on us... what is the EL part number for the mount and spring clip?

[tetrode]

OK Dave, don't hold out on us... what is the EL part number for the mount and spring clip?

Oops! I guess that would help.


The rings are part number EL 620204

The spring clip is part number EL 212203


Sorry, Robert. Just a careless oversight. You know I'm not holding out on you.

Dave F.

[TMR Design]

Thanks Dave :D

[TMR Design]

The Spring Clip is really going to be great to have. I did a shoot a few days ago and had a Photoflex 16" x 22" softbox with a Photoflex speedring (with Elinchrom mount) and as I tried to rotate the box the speedring came off the mount. So having the locking mechanism will be a welcome addition.

[J Kacey]

My all metal design is coming along too....:)
Yes, I have been working on it.
It will mount right to my bracket providing a sturdy base for even the largest Elinchrom modifiers. One added bonus with my design it will also mate right up to my Mount Adapter for Alien Bee/ White Lightning (http://www.kaceyenterprises.com/?page_id=481). This will give AB/WL/ABMax users the option of mounting high quality Elinchrom modifiers with the PCB flashes.

Great DIY Dave.... Necessity is the mother of invention
I'll keep everyone posted when I have them on our site

[tetrode]

The Spring Clip is really going to be great to have. I did a shoot a few days ago and had a Photoflex 16" x 22" softbox with a Photoflex speedring (with Elinchrom mount) and as I tried to rotate the box the speedring came off the mount. So having the locking mechanism will be a welcome addition.

I've done that a few times. The inserts hold fine until you forget there's no lock and try to reorient a softbox. The spring clip and outer locking collar are worth their weight in gold. In fact, the $5 that Bogen charges for the spring clip probably works out to more than if the clip were actually made of gold. It's tiny.

Dave F.

[J Kacey]

Oh yea,
Forgot to mention my design will work with our DBL Speedlight Bracket (http://www.smugmug.com/photos/548747413_vGZqk-XL.jpg) too. Great if you need that extra stop or to speed up your recycle time.
Now if I can just talk Dave and Robert into taking it out for a test drive when I get the parts for the locking mechanism complete ;)

[TMR Design]

Oh yea,
Forgot to mention my design will work with our DBL Speedlight Bracket (http://www.smugmug.com/photos/548747413_vGZqk-XL.jpg) too. Great if you need that extra stop or to speed up your recycle time.
Now if I can just talk Dave and Robert into taking it out for a test drive when I get the parts for the locking mechanism complete ;)

Like you really have to twist my arm? LOLOL

[slivr]

Jerry - is your PCB beauty dish mount intended to be screwed onto the back of the Speedotron dish like Dave and I did with our own dishes and rings ... or is it truly an adapter that you can take on/off at will? I couldn't quite tell from the photos on your site. (Sorry, Dave - I'm not intending to hijack this thread.)

Back on topic: I've already ordered my adapter! Thanks for the great find, Dave!!!

[J Kacey]

Jerry - is your PCB beauty dish mount intended to be screwed onto the back of the Speedotron dish like Dave and I did with our own dishes and rings ... or is it truly an adapter that you can take on/off at will? I couldn't quite tell from the photos on your site.

It has the same screw pattern as the Speedotron and our dish and accessories. It is not a insert... The flat design allows the PCB flashes to project forward into the modifier.

[slivr]

Gotch'ya. Thanks for clarifying.

[Rudi]

Dave, what's the silver speckled paint that you're using for the "built-in reflector"? :)

[tetrode]

Dave, what's the silver speckled paint that you're using for the "built-in reflector"? :)

It's actually not speckled, Rudi. It only looks speckled because of the textured surface of the Masonite. It's high temperature aluminum spray paint (on the left below) from an auto parts store:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/3752790107_ab530bd5ec_o.jpg

Dave F.

[slivr]

Dave - my Elinchrom ring and locking collar arrived this afternoon from big-brown. Hooray!!! Sure enough - after examining it I see it DOES NOT INCLUDE the small spring pin even though 2 different salesmen at BogenUSA on 2 different phone calls assured me this was a 3-piece combination that DID include the retaining pin. Oh well - that's not a huge problem although it sets me back a few more days ... so I'll follow up by ordering that part and in the meantime I have opportunity to think out my own bracket and plate solution.

Thanks again for sharing this great find and DIY with us all.

[slivr]

After looking over my new Elinchrom ring, I re-examined your photos Dave and it appears you used short screws to attach your masonite backplane to the 3 mounting holes of the ring. Those holes are very small and their walls are smooth (not pre-threaded), so were you concerned that any self-threading screws would weaken them too much or take too much material away from that interior edge that's so thin? I've placed arrows on your image at the thin wall points I'm referring to.

Thanks for your feedback.



391317

[tetrode]

After looking over my new Elinchrom ring, I re-examined your photos Dave and it appears you used short screws to attach your masonite backplane to the 3 mounting holes of the ring. Those holes are very small and their walls are smooth (not pre-threaded), so were you concerned that any self-threading screws would weaken them too much or take too much material away from that interior edge that's so thin? I've placed arrows on your image at the thin wall points I'm referring to.

Thanks for your feedback.



391317

It's great that you got your parts, Jason but incredible that you also got the same bum information I did regarding the spring clip. When you order the clip (if you haven't already), make sure they don't charge you for shipping. I squawked when they tried to hit me with another shipping charge even though it was their fault.

Now then, regarding the screws: If memory serves, I found that #6 machine screws were a bit too big to fit in the pre-drilled holes in the Elinchrom ring. Number 4 screws would fit but I felt those were just too small. So, rather than drill out the holes immediately to allow the use of #6 screws (with matching nuts on the inside, of course), I decided to try sheet metal screws first to see if they'd hold firmly in the plastic. Worst case, the holes could always be drilled out later if the sheet metal screws didn't work out. However, even though my bracket has been assembled and taken apart repeatedly, I'm finding the sheet metal screws are working perfectly (bearing in mind a caveat about not over-tightening and stripping the plastic). The plastic Elinchrom uses must be part Kryptonite because it's proving to be *very* tough. Oh, and the self-tapping screws do not deform the side walls of the plastic inner ring.

Even with a new, thicker backplane, the screws are holding fine:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2643/3854685316_e895306a38_o.jpg

If you'd feel more comfortable, by all means enlarge the pre-drilled holes slightly and go with #6 machine screws, lock washers, and nuts. However, my personal experience suggests that self-tapping sheet metal screws will also do the job.

I'm very much looking forward to seeing your implementation of the mount.

Dave F.