Yes Virginia, The Bowens Quick Ring Will Work With An Octabox... and a Strip Box

TMR Design wrote in post #9770074
Thanks Dave,

I'm loving the Quick Ring. I have all the Elinchrom inserts I need. Now I just need to find a resource for the Bowens insert.

What do you mean, Robert? It only took a week to get the SP insert from B&H.

Never mind! I see B&H now says "approximate arrival May" for the SP inserts. But then there's always Adorama.

Dave F.

tetrode wrote in post #9770134
What do you mean, Robert? It only took a week to get the SP insert from B&H.

Never mind! I see B&H now says "approximate arrival May" for the SP inserts. But then there's always Adorama.

Dave F.

Nope not available at this time. Read up Dave. I've scoped this out already. Read post #70.

TMR Design wrote in post #9770158
Nope not available at this time. Read up Dave. I've scoped this out already. Read post #70.

I guess I missed the most recent flurry of insert-related posts. Do you think I should auction mine on eBay?

Dave F.

mufutau55 wrote in post #9768788
Yeah! I know what you mean. I went to both stores for the SP-Systems Bowens Insert but none of them have it.. (tried google search too, no luck) so I placed online order with B&H with their 7-14days delivery.. so I am still waiting.
But meanwhile, I had two Red Wing Inserts which fits and works perfectly, and I am using those for now.. they are $16.95 instead of SP-Systems for $9.95.

Mufutau

tetrode wrote in post #9769947
I received my SP Studio Systems Bowens insert from B&H today. As hoped/expected, the insert fits perfectly in the Bowens Quick Ring. As a bonus, it's also significantly shorter than the generic Bowens inserts we've all seen or owned.

Here's the SP insert next to a generic insert:

With a flat edge to better show the height difference:

The low profile makes quite a difference. Here's a shot showing a generic Bowens insert in a generic speedring:

Notice the space between the back of the speedring and the front of the bracket's Bowens mount. The Sunpak 120J flashtube is partially exposed.

Now here's the SP insert in the same generic speedring:

With the SP insert there is no space between the rear of the speedring and the front of the Bowens mount. Notice how much more of the flashtube can now be seen.

But wait! There's more! You will recall the object of this excercise was to find a Bowens "S" type insert that would fit in the undersized opening of a Bowens BW-3110 Quick Ring. Well, the SP is perfect:


The Sunpak's flashtube is now almost fully exposed. Here's a view of the mounted speedring from the rear:



Okay, caveat time: The SP insert is an ideal solution for Quick Ring users but it is not compatible with standard speedrings because of its atypically small diameter. In fact, the SP insert cannot be physically secured in any of the standard speedrings I have on hand. Look at this:



The small diameter prevents the insert from seating under the speedring's compression washers. The photo I presented above showing the SP insert in a generic speedring was for illustrative purposes only. The insert was not attached to the speedring in that photo; it couldn't be.

I believe the SP insert+Quick Ring to be the lowest profile Bowens compatible mounting arrangement you're likely to find. As can be seen, the rear of the Quick Ring is almost in contact with the front of the bracket's Bowens mount so that's as good as it's going to get. For $9.95, you can't go wrong with the SP insert IF you're using the Bowens Quick Ring.

Dave F.

Could both of you (mufutau and Dave) measure the height of the insert. I'd like to know if there is a difference before I order the Red Wing. Ordinarily I would just wait but I do need a Bowens insert now. It's $7 more but I can't find an SP insert anywhere.

I just measured the Red Wing, laying it flat and measured from the inside with a ruler, it's 1.5 inches (one and half inches). How high is the SP-Systems insert? Like in the photo below, but I turned it upside down.

Mufutau

TMR Design wrote in post #9770657
Could both of you (mufutau and Dave) measure the height of the insert. I'd like to know if there is a difference before I order the Red Wing. Ordinarily I would just wait but I do need a Bowens insert now. It's $7 more but I can't find an SP insert anywhere.

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mufutau55 wrote in post #9770721
I just measured the Red Wing, laying it flat and measure it from the inside with a ruler, it 1.5 inches (one and half inches). How high is the SP-Systems insert? Like in the photo below, but I turned it upside down.

Mufutau

Thanks man. I have the SP insert for Elinchrom so I don't think that is going to be the same measurement as the Bowens insert.

Hopefully Dave will get out his ruler and measure the SP.

TMR Design wrote in post #9770799
Thanks man. I have the SP insert for Elinchrom so I don't think that is going to be the same measurement as the Bowens insert.

Hopefully Dave will get out his ruler and measure the SP.

Dave did. In fact, Dave even disassembled a softbox and removed the insert from the Quick Ring to make the measurement.

The SP insert is exactly 1-1/4" tall.

Dave F.

tetrode wrote in post #9770877
Dave did. In fact, Dave even disassembled a softbox and removed the insert from the Quick Ring to make the measurement.

The SP insert is exactly 1-1/4" tall.

Dave F.

Ahh ok, so the Elinchrom and Bowens inserts from SP are the same height. I just measured mine.

Since the Red Wing is 1/4" taller I think I'll continue my search for the SP insert.

Thank you guys.

Does a 1/4" really means that much difference?

Mufutau

TMR Design wrote in post #9770891
Ahh ok, so the Elinchrom and Bowens inserts from SP are the same height. I just measured mine.

Since the Red Wing is 1/4" taller I think I'll continue my search for the SP insert.

Thank you guys.

mufutau55 wrote in post #9770951
Does a 1/4" really means that much difference?

Mufutau

Probably not. I'll see what I end up doing. I just did a pretty thorough search on the net and couldn't find an SP insert.

Anyone tried the bowens 3110 and this stripbox?

westcott 3669 - Google Product Search http://****/ceiFhr

I want to power it with Sunpak 555's though that's another story.

dmourati wrote in post #9784780
Anyone tried the bowens 3110 and this stripbox?

westcott 3669 - Google Product Search http://****/ceiFhr

I want to power it with Sunpak 555's though that's another story.

An asymmetrical strip box uses a standard speed ring so there's no reason why the Quick Ring won't work.

Ordered a couple of the Bowens QR's and Photek Eli inserts since they were back in stock at B&H (though sorry Rob I think I grabbed the last couple of QR's)... all turned up today - got the black ones as per Tetrodes pics. Doesn't seem to work that well with my no-name strip box as the "lever" side of the QR sticks out a little too far and distorts the box. Still useable but not as neat as the original. Will have to give it a go on one of my Octa's but am sure will be no problem there unlike the stripbox.

Rai33 wrote in post #9799717
Ordered a couple of the Bowens QR's and Photek Eli inserts since they were back in stock at B&H (though sorry Rob I think I grabbed the last couple of QR's)... all turned up today - got the black ones as per Tetrodes pics. Doesn't seem to work that well with my no-name strip box as the "lever" side of the QR sticks out a little too far and distorts the box. Still useable but not as neat as the original. Will have to give it a go on one of my Octa's but am sure will be no problem there unlike the stripbox.

Hmm, something isn't right. I use my Quick Rings all the time with a 9" x 36" and 14" x 55" strip with no problem at all.

I know this sounds silly but are you sure you're using the correct second set of mounting holes? With a strip you don't skip a hole. Using the quick ring with a strip should look like this:

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

Rob - yes I haven't skipped a hole, the only difference is it looks like you are using the threaded holes which have been drilled out but this shouldn't make a difference since they should all the evenly spaced. The non-lever side is fine... just the lever side sticks out in the centre a little too much. I'm guessing the strip I am using is thinner at the top. I'll try grab a picture later.