barndoors for Elinchrom ???

Hi everyone,

I live half-way around the world from B&H, so I don't get the opportunity to try things out before purchase. What's worse, trying things out locally is worse than pulling teeth, and the selection is nowhere near as good or extensive as B&H have anyway, so it's mostly a waste of time.

That's why I thought I'd enlist your help in deciding on what barndoors to buy for my Elinchrom outfit. Of course, the logical (and most expensive) choice would be the Elinchrom barndoors, but at $160, and rectangular four-leaf design, they seem a little limited (in case I need a small symmetrical aperture, rather than a small elongated one). Here they are at B&H: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …tails&Q=&sku=16​744&is=REG

So, what are my other options?? So far, I have found these from Interfit: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ails&Q=&sku=500​442&is=REG and these from Lowell: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …=REG&si=inc#got​o_itemInfo, but I have no idea how these attach to the reflectors. Will either of these couple to my Elinchroms? I don't mind buying a different reflector (if I have to), I just want to make sure that I can mount these on the front of my Elin strobes without performing any kind of voodoo magic...

But then I might be missing something... maybe the Elin barndoors are designed better than they look in the B&H photo. Maybe there are other option that I am unaware of! Maybe...

So, what barndoors do YOU use with your Elinchrom strobes, and why?


P.S. Apologies for the multiple posts - I managed to post just as the server decided to have a brain fart.

Hmmm... after checking the product number on the Elinchrom webpage, it looks like the $160 B&H price includes some other leaf shapes than rectangular. Is that right? If so, then the $160 price might be easier to swallow...

So... anyone using barndoors with their Elinchroms??

I'm not using the barndoors at present but from my research this is how Elinchrom have their set up:

For the barndoors to work you need their 21cm reflector as well. This reflector is the basis for their grids, gel holder and barn doors.

The barndoors are a optional accessory on top of this and there is three different sets the first one is the pro series (product code: 26039) which has an additional sized doors to use and is the better deal in the long term. The other set is the standard barn doors and only comes with the standard holder and 4 doors (26037). The set you listed is the pro version. The third set is for their 26cm reflectors.

As mentioned the 21cm reflector also takes their grids, and if you're buying the 21cm reflector and don't have grids then consider getting them as a set (Product code: 26051) it's a pricey option though at about $130USD over the price of a reflector. The reflector on it's own is about $60 USD.

I currently own the 21cm reflector and grids and will be getting the barndoors in the future.

I'm working the other way around. I already have the snoot and grid set, but now want the barndoors, and the option of using gels without gaffer tape. Will get the 8.25" grids down the road, if I still need them. Thanks for your help!

Rudi wrote in post #5609907
So... anyone using barndoors with their Elinchroms??

I'm a huge fan of elinchrom and have been using them professionally for over a decade...so don't get me wrong...but

The barndoors are probably the poorest designed accessory that I've ever purchased from Elinchrom. They are very soft and bend easily. The accessory holder (also holds gels and grids) that is required for the barndoors is clumsy to take on and off the reflector. It takes some physical force to attach and the pressure often moves the position of the lights. Personally, I really hate this...because once I get a light positioned I don't want to move it. Having said that...other than the clumsy design the light quality is excellent. The grid, accessory holder, and barndoor set all work just fine. The problem I have is with the clumsy design.

I ebayed my accessory holders and barndoors sets. They just drove me nuts. Now I use gaffers tape and cinefoil if I need to make a barndoor to flag the light. http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …atte_Black_Cine​foil_.html

Your idea of purchasing a different brand of barndoors and reflectors to fit Elinchrom is probably very smart. I've never tried it so can't comment...but it sounds like a good idea.

Good luck with your photography

Gentleman Villain wrote in post #5610390
I'm a huge fan of elinchrom and have been using them professionally for over a decade...so don't get me wrong...but

The barndoors are probably the poorest designed accessory that I've ever purchased from Elinchrom. They are very soft and bend easily. The accessory holder (also holds gels and grids) that is required for the barndoors is clumsy to take on and off the reflector. It takes some physical force to attach and the pressure often moves the position of the lights. Personally, I really hate this...because once I get a light positioned I don't want to move it. Having said that...other than the clumsy design the light quality is excellent. The grid, accessory holder, and barndoor set all work just fine. The problem I have is with the clumsy design.

I ebayed my accessory holders and barndoors sets. They just drove me nuts. Now I use gaffers tape and cinefoil if I need to make a barndoor to flag the light. http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …atte_Black_Cine​foil_.html

Your idea of purchasing a different brand of barndoors and reflectors to fit Elinchrom is probably very smart. I've never tried it so can't comment...but it sounds like a good idea.

Good luck with your photography

Amen to that, the barndoors are a let down considering Elinchrom's usual level of quality.

I don't just want to flag the light, I want to shape it. (I don't just want to prevent flare is what I mean). Hopefully, the Elin barndoors will be good enough for that - they will remain attached to the reflector most of the time, with some gels in the accessory holder some of the time. I will not be taking them off the reflector unless I decide to buy the grids as well (and I may well get another reflector then, since I will probably use the grids on another light from the barndoors, if that makes sense).

I guess that unless I can find barndoors made by someone else that fit Elinchrom lights, I might have to take a chance and see how flimsy they are. Although I have to say, your use of the word "clumsy" does not inspire confidence...

Rudi wrote in post #5610609
I have to say, your use of the word "clumsy" does not inspire confidence...

If you always leave the barndoors and accessory holder on the reflector...and never take them off...you'll probably be OK

HOwever...The softest part of the setup is probably the accessory holder. The lips that hold the accessories kinda feel like a glorified aluminum soda can....If you push too hard on the lips while adding a grid or the barndoors then they will bend. But they will also bend back into place....(and hopefully won't break)

The other weak point of Elinchrom are their grid sets that attach directly to the reflectors. They fall right out. I mean they just fall right out...I have to gaffers tape them in place. I've owned 3 sets and they all fall out. However, the snoot and snoot grid set is very well designed...very solid...I like those a lot.

Just some thoughts...Elinchrom is expensive and hard to get information on the net...so I try and help as much as possible when I can

Yeah, getting information out of Elinchrom is almost impossible.

I already have the snoot and grid set, and I like that one a lot (although mine did arrive slightly banged up - I had to straighten out (or round out) the snoot end, where is sustained some sort of impact in transit). Because of the thickness of the metal, now that it's bent back into place it won't budge anytime soon.

I guess I'm a little surprised that the other metal accessories such as filter holder and barndoors would be thinner and flimsier...

I've used Elinchrom for quite a while too and have owned just about every modifier they make so if you have any specific questions I'll do what I can to help.

In general I would not recommend the barndoors for shaping light, I use them for preventing flare and preventing spill only. If you want to control AND shape light get something like the 29-degree maxi-spot reflector or use grids.

I'm going to be near one of the Flash Centres in England in a couple of months, not much use just now but I will be able to get hands on with this gear.

I've not had much chance to play with the studio gear I have, most of my work is outdoors but I will be doing observations and passing on ideas/reviews on the gear I have over the coming months. Especially as I got annoyed with the lack of info on Elinchrom gear, it's probably the biggest gripe I have with the company.

OK, preventing spill is what I should have said. I already have the snoot and grid combo for shaping and collimating the light, the barndoors will be used for lighting larger areas, but only where I choose (preventing spill). If between the two (snoot/grid set and barndoors) I still can't get the control that I am after, then it will be time for the grids. I'm trying not to buy things that I do not need... of course, eventually I am likely to end up with more rather than less, i.e. everything!

Hermes wrote in post #5610895
In general I would not recommend the barndoors for shaping light, I use them for preventing flare and preventing spill only. If you want to control AND shape light get something like the 29-degree maxi-spot reflector or use grids.

Yeah I agree. The barndoors aren't really good at shaping light. The barndoors are straight edged and a lot of time they don't cover the area correctly. That's why I like to use Cinefoil and gaffers tape because I can shape the light to perfectly match the subject. I've done hundreds of architectural shoots using exactly that method.

I like your reflector idea...Elinchrom supposedly makes a something called the "compact reflector" designed for lighting large areas with gels. I've never used it before, but bet it would be nice to try...

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

Another great thread on Elinchrom accesories.

Rudi wrote in post #5610989
OK, preventing spill is what I should have said. I already have the snoot and grid combo for shaping and collimating the light, the barndoors will be used for lighting larger areas, but only where I choose (preventing spill). If between the two (snoot/grid set and barndoors) I still can't get the control that I am after, then it will be time for the grids. I'm trying not to buy things that I do not need... of course, eventually I am likely to end up with more rather than less, i.e. everything!

I don't know how you can live without grids!
I've been considering the Elinchrom barndoors (and 81/4 reflector) also but after reading the comments I think I'm going to wait. For now I have the AB grids that can be used with my Elin 7" reflectors and I really dont mind taping gels at all (though I would be interested in hearing more about the compact reflector). I might try the cinefoil though it does sound a little ghetto!
I'll probably pick up that Interfit snoot too. I doubt there is much difference between it and the Elinchrom snoot (other than price).

Well, I guess I'm about to find out whether I can or not.

I already have the snoot and grid combo, which focuses the light pretty much to my liking, I just have to move the strobe around a bit on occasion to fine-tune it. If I find myself having to fine-tune a lot, or not being to fine-tune the light to my liking, then the grids will be the way to solve that problem.