Large Modifiers for D-Lite 4?

I'm looking into larger umbrellas and/or softboxes for my D-Lite 4 kit. What's the largest softbox and umbrella you've used on your D-Lite? I've heard that they can *reasonably* only support a limited amount of weight, but I wonder what that translates into with their products. Rotalux 100cm, for example??

I used a Photoflex medium (60") octabox on mine for a while. It felt kind of borderline, but I was just careful with it.

Have used a 53" Eli Octa with no worries, but Eli boxes are lighter and less front heavy than other comparably-sized units from other vendors. The 53" is about where I would stop.

Note: If you modify the swivel mount with the guts from a Manfrotto 026 (do a search for this common mod) to stop swivel creep on the old units OR modify the new DLite ITs with the handle from an 026 to avoid stripping it, you STILL need to be VERY careful with larger/heavier modifiers.

While either 'Manfrotto mod' will lock the swivel/handle solid, the DLites (older OR new IT versions) attach the swivel mount to the body of the light using a plastic dovetail. This to mean that the top of the swivel mount slides and locks into two plastic slots on the bottom of the light. If you press in the right spot, you can actually slide the swivel mount off the light housing.

If you look at rear pics of the new DLites at the Eli sight or look at the bottom of a new or old one, what I'm talking about will become obvious.

This mount system is unique to the DLites (again old or new) in the Eli line is a weak point and WILL CRACK/BREAK if the swivel is modified so that it won't creep and if a too hefty modifier is attached -- or if a borderline one is attached and starts to get moved around by errant hands, the wind, etc . I had a (modified) DLite dovetail break as I mounted a Mola Demi (22" BD) to it. Was just taking my hands away when felt something give. Just stopped the combo from bouncing off the floor.

Once you lock the swivel so it can no longer creep, additional is stress is transferred to the dovetail which only two narrow 'lips' of 1/8" plastic that keep your light and modifier from heading earth-bound. While not intentioned this way, the creep of the DLite swivel acted as a cheap (and annoying) 'pressure release' for this dovetail mount.

On BXRis or RX units, etc - just mount away. On the Dlites or Dlite IT- great lights in terms of features, but just bear in mind some of the compromises made in their design when using larger mods.

You could use the 1.9m indirect octa if you want a big modifier.

@Conner999 that is exhaustive info, thanks for taking the time. I'll look into the Manfrotto mod but am inclined to 'stop' at the 53" as you suggested. Given the tiny size of my "studio" (my apartment living room) I think 53" is as much as I can reasonably utilize.

Shame about the fragility of the mounts on these units -- while I do not have experience with other units I do, truly, love these lights. The fast re-charge, consistency of the color, and their portability are awesome.

Freddie,

No worries. They do a great job re light "quality" and features for a nice price. Also, bear in mind, it's not like these things are dropping to the floor like dead flies everywhere - but the compromises made in the physical construction of the units (new or old) should be in the back of the mind of any DLite user. I'm sure folks stretch them with larger mods everyday - but sooner or later.... I've since moved on to Profoto, but I did manage to fix my broken DLite (PL Premium adhesive - epoxy just wasn't strong enough). It was MUCH stronger then new, but man did it look like hell.

I'd just wish they'd re-done the mounting system with the IT versions instead of just carrying over the dovetail. Adding a 'thicker' plastic shell and BXRi swivel is all well and good, but it's still two 2" strips of 1/8" plastic keeping the light attached to the swivel. Knowing in detail now how the DLite swivel-case interface works, I'd NEVER a DLite (again new or old) in a boom situation without a safety cable attached to the light housing itself -- NOT the swivel mechanism.

One thing in most folks favor is that Eli OEM boxes (and cheap Ebay units) use thinner fabric than units from say Profoto, Aurora, Chimera, etc., so the heaviest part of the boxes tends to be the speedring - making them not only light but the weight more rearward biased - easing stress on the light.

If you like the DLite features, the next step up, the BXRis, share all the nice points of the DLites (save the price) and then some -- and are MUCH better constructed from the aspect of using with whatever modifier suits you.

The only caveat with the BXRis is that the swivel handle (shared with the new IT DLites) is not the greatest. It can strip if you over-torque it. That said, the handle from a Manfrotto 026 is a direct substitute and locks the swivel like a pair of Vice Grips. Again, more DIY you shouldn't have to do, but very effective DIY.

Good luck.

I use noname stripbox 40cmX200cm (quite heavy one) and spsystems 90cm octa with dlite. No problems.

Thanks, Roman. That's good to know. Looks like it might just be hit or miss. Previous input suggests a very large modifier *might* work just fine or one *might* just strip the swivel or it *might* just pull the bloc straight forward, etc.... Since I tend to have bad luck (ask me when I started investing in the US market, or when I bought a property in the US, etc....) I'll probably play it safe on the weight!

We're always going to see the "I use a 7' Octa with my D-Lite's and haven't had a problem" but please be careful and forewarned. Conner999 knows what he's talking about and his suggestions and warnings are valid.

I'd always rather be safe than sorry.

Some people have been using speed rings with 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 mounting holes to offset the weight of the modifier from the swivel mount to the speedring. It works well but it can present limitations in terms of tilting forward and you may need an arm or boom.
The other negative about using this method is that the speed ring will no longer rotate so you're rectangular boxes and strips are fixed. You're less likely to want to rotate an octa but I've found I don't like to give that up. It's still a great solution but far from perfect.

Hi guys

I haven't posted here for a while. I've recently been using a friend's Photek Softlighters on my old D-Lites. Sizes: Small and Medium. (Standard stem, not the skinny one.)

I like them a lot, and am now thinking of ordering two of each (Small, Medium, and Large) from B&H. (I'm based in the UK.)

Will the D-Lite support the large Softlighter?

Thanks

Elliot

p.s. Is it worth modding the D-Lite's swivel? I find the swivel ok, but whenever I work with a new assistant, they always manage to unscrew the swivel to the extent that the whole assembly ends up on the floor - I haven't lost a head yet, but it's only a matter of time...

elliot_n wrote in post #9858243
Hi guys

I haven't posted here for a while. I've recently been using a friend's Photek Softlighters on my old D-Lites. Sizes: Small and Medium. (Standard stem, not the skinny one.)

I like them a lot, and am now thinking of ordering two of each (Small, Medium, and Large) from B&H. (I'm based in the UK.)

Will the D-Lite support the large Softlighter?

Thanks

Elliot

p.s. Is it worth modding the D-Lite's swivel? I find the swivel ok, but whenever I work with a new assistant, they always manage to unscrew the swivel to the extent that the whole assembly ends up on the floor - I haven't lost a head yet, but it's only a matter of time...

Hi Elliot,

You shouldn't have any trouble with the 60" Softlighter and D-Lite's.

Why are your assistants unscrewing the swivel so much? Can't they see and feel that it's completely loose after 1 full turn? Are you sure those are the people you want assisting you?

Thanks Robert for the quick reply. I'll order the full set of Softlighters. Re. the assistants - they're college leavers, helping me out on pitifully underpaid editorial jobs. I don't pay them much and I don't expect much. Bigger jobs get better assistants and better lights (rented Profotos). But I really like the D-Lites. Two gripes (one which I mentioned way back): (1) The fan noise continues to annoy during quiet portrait sittings. (2) The slow flash duration has been bothering me - I can't get a sharp full length portrait of someone walking across frame, and recently I've been wondering whether I'm seeing camera shake when shooting handheld (with no significant ambient).

The large SLII won't be an issue - it's really only an issue/concern with larger/deeper softboxes, especially non-Eli ones, BD's etc.

You could do the Manfrotto 026 mod to the swivel, but it just grips (a helluva a lot) better when tightened. It will be no more or less prone to being over-loosened (e.g. coming apart) than the stock unit. Might just be time to have an 'Adjusting Lights 101' night instead.

Thanks Conner.

I just remembered that I have some spare Manfrotto 026 brackets (well, the Calumet equivalents, which I think are identical). I've tried the mod, and can see that the main purpose would be to achieve a stronger grip. However, because of the longer thread, and because the ratchet mechanism needs to be used (the lever can't be revolved 360), they're actually much less likely to be loosened to the point that everything falls apart (the Elinchrom levers require just 4 rotations and then they 'pop', scattering the assembly on the floor). So it is actually a solution for absent-minded assistants...

Thanks for the tip re. placement of security cables when using a boom...

Elliot - good point on the longer handles (fouling the light case if attempting to rotate 360) and longer bolt. You're right it should make the problem less likely by all but the most determined assistant.