Octabox mod for two Speedlites

I wanted to reduce spill from umbrellas, and decided to buy a generic octagonal 120cm/48" softbox, at NZ$85 (US$56). I wanted to use two 550EX Speedlites under E-TTL control from a 50D-mounted 580EXII. I like the complete control offered by the camera flash menus!

The system would use Canon's light pulse command system, with perhaps RadioPoppers added in for range and reliability at some time. A backup trigger was to be provided by my repaired and modified Cactus RF16/RD16 flash triggers.

I removed the Bowens speed ring to make room for two flash heads to be inserted, with the command Sensor windows facing the same way. I found only one configuration that achieved this. It also leaves the controls equally accessible and battery packs also connectable.

Only one set of in-flash batteries can be changed, but with the doubling of flash power and the addition of battery packs, this should not be a problem. The Maha 2700mAH batteries give great extended service.

AN aluminium 25mm x 3mm (1" x 1/8") bar was folded to hold the flash assemblies. It is attached to the outer octobox ring by wingnuts screwed onto two machine screws that were tapped into the ring.

The mounting to the light stand or boom stand is by a standard umbrella swivel joint. A spiggot with a 3/8" socket is fixed to the flash bracket to fit into the swivel. To use the setup camera left, another spiggot will be mounted on the other side of the bracket as soon as I can find a 3/8" bolt in this Metric land. This is needed to keep the sensor windows facing the camera.

The two flashes are mounted onto my standard adapter foot with 3.5mm phono socket for a Cactus trigger. This is then easily inserted into the opening and a captive knurled 1/4" screw tightened. Pads on the ring support the lower head and the upper flash rests on the lower body.

I feel it looks clean and professional, and works as planned. All I need now is space...

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This looks good and a powerful setup. Can you post some images of the softbox from the front and some resulting images if possible? Cheers.

Photoflex sales two octaboxes for speedlites their xs and sm. And their hot shoe mounting brackets are the best even has a spot for PWs. I bought two brackets some time ago to work with so eBay softboxes I had when I switched to using Canon speedlites from Vivitar flashes.

You might be able to rotate the flash bodies 30degrees or so and still be able to trigger them optically but gain access to both battery compartments

Vineet666 wrote in post #8458046
This looks good and a powerful setup. Can you post some images of the softbox from the front and some resulting images if possible? Cheers.

I would also be interested in seeing the quality of light and coverage you get with one flash vs two flashes.

Can you please show the link to the Photoflex Octabox and the bracket you bought? Does this support two flashes like the guy showed above?

Mufutau

Blackey Cole wrote in post #8458077
Photoflex sales two octaboxes for speedlites their xs and sm. And their hot shoe mounting brackets are the best even has a spot for PWs. I bought two brackets some time ago to work with so eBay softboxes I had when I switched to using Canon speedlites from Vivitar flashes.

Can't quite tell based on the images ... but it seems to me with those knurled rings on the bottom that are holding your hotshoe/flash it would take just seconds to loosen them, twist both heads slightly and gain access to your 2nd battery door. If so, that wouldn't be a detriment at all.

Great looking mod. Should produce plenty of light and we're anxious to see some images taken with the setup. Congrats!!!!

bump, awaiting your response

Vineet666 wrote in post #8458046
Can you post some images of the softbox from the front and some resulting images if possible? Cheers.

Hope to do this soon, but I have a real problem with space at the moment. The octabox requires much more head room than I expected! Damn.

rowdy_kk wrote in post #8458096
You might be able to rotate the flash bodies 30degrees or so and still be able to trigger them optically but gain access to both battery compartments

Tried rotating, but no room - the diagonal of the flash bodies is too great. With a battery pack on one flash, and the other accessible it will handle most of my needs.

bobbyz wrote in post #8458710
I would also be interested in seeing the quality of light and coverage you get with one flash vs two flashes.

As soon as I can arrange it, for my interest too. I am expecting the double baffles and the heavily textured interior lining to remove any serious hotspot. I would always use two flashes for fast recovery and extended battery service. And another stop of light helps, too.

slivr wrote in post #8459815
twist both heads slightly and gain access to your 2nd battery door. We're anxious to see some images taken with the setup. Congrats!!!!

Thanks. Me, too.