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

Rai33 wrote in post #9924046
Tried the QR with my 150cm Visico octa today - works nicely. I notice though that when in the collapsed position the two rods in the plastic pivot points pull out and fall short of their end pockets so you just need to be conscious to make sure they slot in when it opens. Not sure if the ladies would have trouble locking it into position though as it takes a fair bit of force (lucky I dont have lady thumbs ; ) It's holding a fair bit of tension and when you release it, it really pops out with some force. Makes set up and tear down much more convenient so thumbs up.

Which light do you have? I tried to mount my 150cm Visico on the Genesis 200 but it seemed like it was too heavy.

TMR Design wrote in post #9701147
I'm aware that Chimera makes a quick release speed ring but from what I've seen, they are designed for square and rectangular softboxes and not octas so it's not a universal solution. The other issue with the Chimera ring is that for many, if not most modifiers, you'll need to replace your existing rods with shorter ones designed to be used with the Chimera ring.

I want to update you on the Chimera Quick Release Speed Ring. When I ordered it from B&H this week, they said you needed to order shorter rods for the softboxes. They could tell me all the ones I needed so I called Chimera. They tech support person said she was pretty sure you didn't need them any more as they had changed the design slightly. I tried it on the 36x48, 24x32, and 9x36 and it worked fine. The 9x36 came with bent rods. I need to call Chimera to see if that's intentional. I can't speak for other Chimera soft boxes or other brands.

Rob is right in that it one has four rod holders. There are two screw holes between the existing rod holders. They could create add-on rod holders, but I imagine they would just create a new ring with eight connectors.

The holders do release when under pressure by the rods without having to pull on the rod. I just have to remember to pull it, not push it. The holder also has set screws to hold the rods in the ring. The problem is that the bags for the soft boxes aren't big enough to hold the ring in place on the collapsed soft box unlike the Elinchrom bags.

I'm gonna' get to drillin' mine now.

But just wondering. What's the threaded hole for before I drill it? I will only be using one of my Quick Ring for an octa so I was wondering if I should only drill that one or just drill both --including the one for the strip.

seanzky wrote in post #10550275
I'm gonna' get to drillin' mine now.

But just wondering. What's the threaded hole for before I drill it? I will only be using one of my Quick Ring for an octa so I was wondering if I should only drill that one or just drill both --including the one for the strip.

HI Sean.

The threaded 1/4"-20 hole is used when you have a strobe like a D-Lite where the swivel mount may be prone to slipping. If you mount the speed ring to the spigot or light stand it takes the weight off the mount and it's displaced to the speed ring.

I never do that or need that since I no longer have strobes or devices that give me reason to be concerned about the strength of the mount so opening up the hole doesn't affect me at all.

Got it! Thanks. I'll leave one the way it is just in case. I plan on buying two more once I get two D-Lite its. I'm too impatient to save up for BXRis or RXs. Lol.

Wow!

This is the information that I've been waiting for for a REALLY long time! Would you recommend a 7' or a 5' photoflex octodome?

Marloon wrote in post #10550473
Wow!

This is the information that I've been waiting for for a REALLY long time! Would you recommend a 7' or a 5' photoflex octodome?

That's hard to say. What and where are you shooting?

TMR Design wrote in post #10550524
That's hard to say. What and where are you shooting?

Hey rob!

So I'll be shooting a mixture of indoors and outdoors. Indoors it'll be used to light groups of 4-6 people - full body.

I'll use it jn my house as well but I only have a 8 foot ceiling.

When I go outside, I will be shooting either individuals or couples.

Oh and I might as well ask now.

If I use photoflex rods, would you need to mod anything?

Marloon wrote in post #10550648
Oh and I might as well ask now.

If I use photoflex rods, would you need to mod anything?

Since Photoflex boxes have a Quick Release Corner I don't see any reason you would need a quick release ring like this when using Photoflex boxes.... Both features do the same thing by releasing tension on the rods.

J Kacey wrote in post #10550750
Since Photoflex boxes have a Quick Release Corner I don't see any reason you would need a quick release ring like this when using Photoflex boxes.... Both features do the same thing by releasing tension on the rods.

I rarely use my photoflex medium softbox because of the speedring. It's hard to take down without putting it on the ground.

Must be a older model without the Quick Release Corner's
New ones break down very easy

J Kacey wrote in post #10550862
Must be a older model without the Quick Release Corner's
New ones break down very easy

I'm not a big fan of the quick release corners because it's not even that fast to set up and take down. This speed ring proves to be a FAST solution, and it's one that i should have purchased in the first place.

I'm just wondering if i have to drill something. (I'm not too worried about it).

I'm the opposite I like the feature and it releases the tension on the ring in a instant.

Marloon wrote in post #10550873
I'm not a big fan of the quick release corners because it's not even that fast to set up and take down. This speed ring proves to be a FAST solution, and it's one that i should have purchased in the first place.

I'm just wondering if i have to drill something. (I'm not too worried about it).

I've always found the quick release corners to be a real time saver and a great design. If you don't like them I would suggest you cozy up with them... lol

If you already had quick ring's that would be great but if you're just trying to get things up in a simple way without spending unnecessary cash then just use a standard speed ring from just about any manufacturer that makes an Elinchrom ring.

No mods, no drilling. Just set up and start shooting. Then use the quick release corners for breakdown. It really is fast and super convenient.