Elinchrom Rotolux Owners: How does it fold?

I recently started using the Elinchrom Deep Octa and it was fairly easy to assemble using the included instructions. However the instructions do not describe how to dissassemble the softbox. The Elinchrom site mentions that the Rotolux softboxes "folds like an umbrella". Ok I know how umbrellas fold but I can't see how this softbox would fold like that. I tried pulling on the knurled sleeves on the speedring in order to reverse the assembly process but they will not budge. I don't want to get more forceful since the softbox material is real thin and puncturing it would be real easy. Any ideas?? Thanks in advance

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You pull out on the knurled metal pieces that meet the speed ring. Doing that releases the rod and it can then be folded up. Do that for all the rods and it will collapse to its original folded form.

If you want visual aids, there's actually a video that demonstrates opening and closing the Rotolux softboxes:

http://www.youtube.com …CzzI&feature=ch​annel_page

Dave F,

Thanks guys for your quick replies! I think since this Octa is new there is a lot of tension in the cover material & rods so the knurled sleeves don't want to move easily. I'll try again after watching the video a few times.

Yup. My Deep Octa was very difficult to put together and fold up again when brand new! Much more so than either the 53" Octa Midi or the 39" square Rotalux (which is the easiest, with only four rods ). Don't be afraid to be more forceful - the material is a lot tougher than it looks.

Mine too!

I found a trick with mine that helps...

If I lay it on the floor (carpeted) with the speedring down, I can hold the 12 o'clock position down while pushing the knurled collar down at the six o'clock position and it will slide out and allow the rod to fold up more easily.

I then turn it one rod and do the same thing again, repeat, repeat until there isn't quite so much tension on the rods and the knurled knobs slide out more easily.

Thanks again everyone for your input! I finally got the beast folded but it was quite a chore. I guess I've been spoiled by the Photek Softlighter II that truly does fold like an umbrella. But the light the Deep Octa produces is quite unique and worth the trouble!