SP Studio Systems Adapter Question

I have a 37" SP Systems Studio Systems EZ Octa with an Alien Bees insert. I want to try using it with the Godox 180 and ordered a Bowens style T mount adapter to try this. However I need to find a compatible SP systems Bowens adapter ring. B&H carries them but with a 2 to 4 week delay. Is there something else I could use?

Jim

Amazon? http://www.amazon.com …fotodiox+bowens​+speedring I think that would work but Im not positive.

Thanks for the help but that item has a 3 to 5 week shipping date and I am not clear as to the fit. As I understand it (maybe incorrectly) many of the inserts are not standardized as to size.
Jim

I checked my SP Studio Systems easy opening softboxes: They all take 140mm (5.5") diameter inserts. I did come across one Bowens type insert with a diameter of 143 mm and found it would work but only if one of the three retaining washers under the SP's thumbscrews is removed. If the washers were replaced with smaller diameter washers, the 143mm insert would work fine. Alas, the one I have is unbranded and I have no idea where I got it

This ring from Adoroma will fit it. Same ring is sold at B and H but with a 7-14 day delay. http://www.adorama.com​/BZRD6210.html I have several of these as well as the SP Studio ones and they are the same size.

The Fotodiox and Studio Solution adapters are larger than those used in the SP studio folding soft boxes and the Bowens folding speed rings.

agv8or wrote in post #16628300
This ring from Adoroma will fit it. Same ring is sold at B and H but with a 7-14 day delay. http://www.adorama.com​/BZRD6210.html I have several of these as well as the SP Studio ones and they are the same size.

The Fotodiox and Studio Solution adapters are larger than those used in the SP studio folding soft boxes and the Bowens folding speed rings.

Those inserts do fit and I own one but I would also advise anyone to avoid them like the plague. Observe:

tetrode wrote in post #16628529
Those inserts do fit and I own one but I would also advise anyone to avoid them like the plague. Observe:

Notice that the insert on top has square cross section lugs while the other has rounded lugs. You might also be able so see that the lower insert has a slightly smaller diameter than the one on top. Both of these characteristics spell HUGE potential trouble.

In brief, because of the rounded lugs and smaller diameter, the insert on the bottom has a very strong desire and the ability to over-rotate in a Bowens mount. That is, when inserted in the mount, instead of only rotating a few degrees and stopping, it can bypass the internal stop and continue rotating. This is VERY bad.

Look at the right hand image: See the tensioning leaf spring inside the Bowens mount? Well, the insert with the rounded lugs will slide right over the top of the spring never to return. Once that happens, the three internal leaf springs pop back up and prevent the insert from retracing its steps and being removed from the mount. The insert is held captive at this point.

Just to make the situation a bit more frustrating, the mount cannot be disassemble because the screws that hold it together are inside the mount.

Having had this happen twice, I can tell you that getting the insert off the mount requires three razor blades (to depress the leaf springs), lots of patience, and several Band-Aids.

Bottom line: Do yourself a favor and do not get this insert.

Dave the adapter you are showing is not the same adapter I listed in the post that you quoted. I have several of these adapters and they are square pegs. Look closely at the picture. I will post some pictures of mine. I have never had a single issue. If you also look closely at the base it is completely different than what you have pictured. The base is joggled not straight and is made of polished steel and does not have the bead blasted appearance of the one you have pictured.

EDIT: Dave the one you have pictured is the SP Studio adapter. I just rounded up my adapters and my SP Studio adapters have the rounded pegs but to be honest I have never had an issue with them either. I have completely different Bowens mount than what you have pictured. All my Bowens mounts have a spring loaded pin to keep the pegs locked.

Thanks, If I understand correctly the one from Adorama should be good.

Jim

jmaher wrote in post #16628602
Thanks, If I understand correctly the one from Adorama should be good.

Jim

Yes the one that I listed is a Bowens and it has square pegs. B and H sells the same one. It used to be named Red Wing rather than Bowens but I no longer see the Red Wings listed only the Bowens. They are identical. The one Dave pictured is an SP Studio and they are cheaper quality with rounded pegs.

Edit: The SP Studio weighs 1.8 oz while the Bowens weighs 5.4 oz. Substantial difference in build quality. The Bowens is also deeper which might be a bad thing in some circumstances.

Here is a picture of the adapter I listed above in an SP Studio 28" octa.

Here is a couple more images comparing the SP Studio adapter with the Bowens (Red Wing) adapter. The SP Studio is on the bottom in the first image and on the right in the second image.

Thanks again - ordering one today.

Jim

agv8or wrote in post #16628549
Dave the adapter you are showing is not the same adapter I listed in the post that you quoted. I have several of these adapters and they are square pegs. Look closely at the picture. I will post some pictures of mine. I have never had a single issue. If you also look closely at the base it is completely different than what you have pictured. The base is joggled not straight and is made of polished steel and does not have the bead blasted appearance of the one you have pictured.

EDIT: Dave the one you have pictured is the SP Studio adapter. I just rounded up my adapters and my SP Studio adapters have the rounded pegs but to be honest I have never had an issue with them either. I have completely different Bowens mount than what you have pictured. All my Bowens mounts have a spring loaded pin to keep the pegs locked.

You're absolutely right, Rand. I should have looked at the Adorama image more closely. At first glance, it looked enough like the miserable SP Bowens insert that it triggered an immediate and visceral reaction.

So, let's say this: Don't even think about getting the SP insert for the reasons detailed in my post. The genuine Bowens (I also have one of those) is definitely the way to go.

And I will add, Rand, that the SP insert with the rounded pegs seems to only give MAJOR problems when mounted on generic Chinese flash bracket Bowens mounts. No issues on my Bowens mount monolights (but, still, the insert has been retired from service).

tetrode wrote in post #16630360
You're absolutely right, Rand. I should have looked at the Adorama image more closely. At first glance, it looked enough like the miserable SP Bowens insert that it triggered an immediate and visceral reaction.

So, let's say this: Don't even think about getting the SP insert for the reasons detailed in my post. The genuine Bowens (I also have one of those) is definitely the way to go.

And I will add, Rand, that the SP insert with the rounded pegs seems to only give MAJOR problems when mounted on generic Chinese flash bracket Bowens mounts. No issues on my Bowens mount monolights (but, still, the insert has been retired from service).

The SP Studio adapter is much shorter and allows the flash tube to sit more into the modifier. I have not really seen that too be an issue either when using the Red Wing (Bowens) adapter but to some it may be an issue. I too was not impressed with SP Studio adapter when I first bought them and saw they had roundish pegs rather square. Like I said so far I have not had any issues with them but I definitely see your point of there being an issue in some mounts.

I have some SP Studio AB adapters as we'll and they too are built out of the same light weight material so I do not use them with heavier modifiers. The cast adapters like those offered by Fotodiox are serviceable but clunky. The Bowens (RedWing) adapters are built very nice but could be shorter. I wished that I could find some AB adapters as nicely built as the Bowens but so far of the 4 or 5 different brands I own non can compare to the build quality, not even those that come from PCB with their foldable soft boxes are as nice.

Really miss Dave and Robert. Very useful info.

tetrode wrote in post #16628529
Those inserts do fit and I own one but I would also advise anyone to avoid them like the plague. Observe:

Look at the right hand image: See the tensioning leaf spring inside the Bowens mount? Well, the insert ......

When I noticed that lip I did not know if I to laugh or to cry. When using a Bowens reflector it is just to thigh and after that I have to bent back the lip.

Not good and I have already a spare in home in case the metal gives.

Lets hope that Godox will make spares from real spring steel.