How to Balance a Large Softbox

I use Calumet's Genesis lights and up until now, my largest softbox was ~2x3. Even after tightening the gear that positions the head up and down as much as I thought could safely be done without breaking it, the weight of the soft box would still drag the head down. My solution was to hook a 2.5 lb weight to the back handle as a counter balance which, though a little precarious, worked.

I recently invested in my first large softbox, ~4x6. I tried the same approach but now with a 5 lb weight but it's still not enough. I've even played around with tying the other end of the bungy to the light stand and raising or lowering it to create enough tension, but that's not working well either.

So what do others do? Is it possible to swap out the up/down axis clamp for one with teeth instead of just pressure? Other ideas?

Thanks.

don't have dlites but cant you use something like photoflex heavy duty umbrella adapter in between lightstand and strobe? Or similar concept use a grip head with short grip arm.

and mount the softbox spidering directly to the umbrella adapter or the small grip arm.

maybe there is better And easier option.

Typically, entry level strobes are not rated to handle large, heavy or front heavy modifiers and there isn't much you can do about the mount itself.

As you've discovered, once it's tight, that's it. Overtightening usually doesn't help and results in one of the plastic components cracking.

One of the best solutions, other than upgrading to strobes with a more robust mount, is to use a speed ring that has a 1/4"-20 or 3/8"-16 threaded mounting hole so you can mount the speed ring to a heavy duty umbrella adapter that acts as the swivel for adjusting the angle, and the weight of the lightbox is on the speed ring and not the strobe or its mount.

There are many rings that have the appropriate mounting holes. One that I own and have used in this way is the Photoflex ring.

Interesting ideas; thanks, guys.

Inserting a substantial umbrella stand (which I have) won't provide the solution because the pivot point on the light will always want to sag. What I think I'll try is drilling a series of holes right before the pivot point where I can insert a small finish nail. It will only give me a few different angles, but enough for my purposes and it should work.

Peacefield wrote in post #13297228
Inserting a substantial umbrella stand (which I have) won't provide the solution because the pivot point on the light will always want to sag. What I think I'll try is drilling a series of holes right before the pivot point where I can insert a small finish nail. It will only give me a few different angles, but enough for my purposes and it should work.

Incorrect. I've done it a million times and it works like a charm.
When the speed ring takes the load and the heavy duty umbrella adapter handle the swivel, then the mount on the strobe is no longer int he equation.

The umbrella adapter must be heavy duty. The Photoflex adapter and speed ring work great for this application and that umbrella adapter is rock solid. Many around here use it and will confirm the strength and stability.

Peacefield wrote in post #13297228
Inserting a substantial umbrella stand (which I have) won't provide the solution because the pivot point on the light will always want to sag. What I think I'll try is drilling a series of holes right before the pivot point where I can insert a small finish nail. It will only give me a few different angles, but enough for my purposes and it should work.

You could use an extra light stand with a simple board attached to the top of it to support the front end of the softbox.

IF you do what I'm suggesting then you can use an umbrella adapter that has teeth, if you like. No need for it but if it's your preference then that will work too.

I was misunderstanding, TMR; I know what you're talking about. And though a little inelegant, I can see Ski's approach working, too. Thanks.

Peacefield wrote in post #13297514
I was misunderstanding, TMR; I know what you're talking about. And though a little inelegant, I can see Ski's approach working, too. Thanks.

Umm... I think you mean Skip.

Was that a typo or has your auto-correct made what it felt was a better choice? . .. lolololololo

Mine has been killing me recently.

I wish I knew of a more elegant solution. I've never found or seen one, though.

I also use two Genesis 400 and find that they no longer can not even support a medium soft box or 22" beauty dish if I want to angle it down 35-45'.

If you take it apart you will see the hex bolt thread will tend to strip the plastic mount so it turns when you try and tighten.

What I did as a solution was I went to home depot and bought 2 bolts(with head) with slightly larger washers.

I have a 1/2" wrench close by the strobe and use that to hold while I tighten the strobe normally. It works.

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I'll have to explore that Yaamon.

And actually, it WAS you that I was talking about, TMR. I wasn't understanding what you were saying until I realized that the speed ring has the ability to take a threaded stud. The ability to used a notched umbrella holder coupled with moving more of the weight behind should do the trick.

New mounts on Genesis

I just wanted to let you know if your strobes are less than a year it should be under warranty.

It looks like they have a new redesign Fork that's what they call it. The other side of the lever no longer has a washer and from the Genesis 200 strobe looks like they riveted in two screws.

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