Chimera Quick Release Speed Ring : An Overview

Since getting the Chimera Quick Release speed ring and Chimera 54" x 72" softbox I've had many people ask me about the speed ring and how it works, so I decided to show some images of the ring in action.

My overall impression of the Quick Ring is that I like it a lot. It's very different from the Bowens Quick Release but accomplishes the same thing.

This first image shows the rod from the large Chimera softbox. It's pretty obvious that the rod is very different from the rods we're used to seeing in lightboxes.

The tip is inserted into one of the rod mounts and a brass set screw is tightened to hold the rod in place. This is actually pretty important with the large softbox. Its size makes it a bit unwieldy and just handing the assembly can easily cause the rods to come out and flop around if they weren't locked into the rod mount. I've also shown one of the rods folded down and locked into position.

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Thanks for the visuals, Rob. These make everything clear.

Did you once mention that the Chimera rods come pre-bent? It could be an illusion but your photos of the interior of the softbox make it appear as if the back is almost flat with a sharp curve toward the front occurring well away from the speed ring.

Dave F.

tetrode wrote in post #11907777
Thanks for the visuals, Rob. These make everything clear.

Did you once mention that the Chimera rods come pre-bent? It could be an illusion but your photos of the interior of the softbox make it appear as if the back is almost flat with a sharp curve toward the front occurring well away from the speed ring.

Dave F.

You are correct, Dave.

This is the rod. In classic Chimera style, the break point of the rod is 'spring loaded' with a built-in elastic cord. It pops into place the same way the Lightform panel frames used to for Dean Collins.

The rods are most definitely pre-bent.

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TMR Design wrote in post #11907959
You are correct, Dave.
...
The rods are most definitely pre-bent.

No wonder they're fairly expensive! They're not your run-of-the-mill softbox rods.

Thanks for the additional illustration, Rob.

Dave F.

Rob,
That's a very nice rod design. It ensures that the curvature of the box occurs as it is intended. I would think that by ensuring that the rod remains straight (unflexed) at the rear of the box (nearest the speed-ring), it provides for a relatively flat back. This can be very important for very large & shallow boxes, to ensure that the tube sits forward enough to illuminate the far reaches of the box. This can mean all the difference in the world, between generating a hot reflection (if the rear of the box is steeply angled) or a uniformly iluminated box.

I'm guessing that your Chimera is a shallow design, and the light at the far edges is reasonably close to output at the center?

BTW - That ring looks pretty slick. Assembling boxes that large can be a real PITA.

tetrode wrote in post #11908171
No wonder they're fairly expensive! They're not your run-of-the-mill softbox rods.

Thanks for the additional illustration, Rob.

Dave F.

Not run of the mill at all.

SilverHCIC wrote in post #11908173
Rob,
That's a very nice rod design. It ensures that the curvature of the box occurs as it is intended. I would think that by ensuring that the rod remains straight (unflexed) at the rear of the box (nearest the speed-ring), it provides for a relatively flat back. This can be very important for very large & shallow boxes, to ensure that the tube sits forward enough to illuminate the far reaches of the box. This can mean all the difference in the world, between generating a hot reflection (if the rear of the box is steeply angled) or a uniformly iluminated box.

I'm guessing that your Chimera is a shallow design, and the light at the far edges is reasonably close to output at the center?

BTW - That ring looks pretty slick. Assembling boxes that large can be a real PITA.

I decided to get the shallow version to save a small amount of space when setup. It's definitely not quite as imposing as the standard version.

These days I don't take measurements across the face of a lightbox because it's really not the best way to see how even the light is and no one ever uses a lightbox with the subject pressed up against the front of the box. So, I have no idea of how even the light is at the box.

When you work with the box and have your subject at any reasonable working distance, that's when you notice and can meter how very consistent the readings are over a relatively large subject area without any change at all.

TMR Design wrote in post #11907959
You are correct, Dave.

This is the rod. In classic Chimera style, the break point of the rod is 'spring loaded' with a built-in elastic cord. It pops into place the same way the Lightform panel frames used to for Dean Collins.

The rods are most definitely pre-bent.

Interesting rods you have there Rob. All my Chimera rods are solid without a break. Maybe you have them because you have the shallow box?

cortes wrote in post #11913373
Interesting rods you have there Rob. All my Chimera rods are solid without a break. Maybe you have them because you have the shallow box?

Do you have the 54" x 72" softbox. I think these rods are only used on the large box.