Speedring Roulette: Why no size standardization?

Don't you just hate it when you buy a speed ring insert and discover it's either too big or too small to fit? How about the reverse: You buy a new speed ring only to discover the insert you were planning to use with it doesn't fit? I swap mounts on occasion and have encountered this insert-ring incompatibility fairly often. Why couldn't the industry just standardize on one size? For that matter, would it really be so difficult to specify speed ring internal diameters and also insert diameters so you'd know before buying whether something was going to fit?

Anyway, digital caliper in hand, I decided to measure the inside diameters of six of my speed rings. The results:

Wow...thanks Tetrode,
Being new to strobe and soft boxes etc....this info sure is an eye opener and something to watch when making a purchase.
8)

pspwa wrote in post #10524011
Wow...thanks Tetrode,
Being new to strobe and soft boxes etc....this info sure is an eye opener and something to watch when making a purchase.
8)

You're welcome but you should realize that this only becomes an issue if you use lights with differing mounts or feel the urge to use a specialized gizmo like the Bowens Quick Ring. Most photographers just buy a speed ring with a pre-installed insert and that's the end of it.

While I'm here, I'll add an additional data point: The SP Studio Systems EZ softboxes require small diameter inserts (but, of course, they don't tell you that up front). I measured 139mm edge-to-edge.

Dave F.

While I understand the OP's frustration, there is an easy fix..... purchase ONE style of speedring and now all you really have to do is get the matching connector or insert for your specific lighting unit. I use a combination of Photogenic, Speedotron and Norman Lighting Units and I have 12 PhotoFlex Octa-Style Speedrings. 8 of them have the Photogenic style connectors (because these are the majority of lights that I own) 2 of them have the Speedo connectors and the other two have the Normans connectors. I chose the PhotoFlex Octa-Style Speedrings due to their strength, price and versatility becasue I own a combination of square softboxes, rectanglular softboxes and octagonal softboxes..... and I know that any speedring I pick up will work.

The Loft Studios wrote in post #10525041
While I understand the OP's frustration, there is an easy fix..... purchase ONE style of speedring and now all you really have to do is get the matching connector or insert for your specific lighting unit. I use a combination of Photogenic, Speedotron and Norman Lighting Units and I have 12 PhotoFlex Octa-Style Speedrings. 8 of them have the Photogenic style connectors (because these are the majority of lights that I own) 2 of them have the Speedo connectors and the other two have the Normans connectors. I chose the PhotoFlex Octa-Style Speedrings due to their strength, price and versatility becasue I own a combination of square softboxes, rectanglular softboxes and octagonal softboxes..... and I know that any speedring I pick up will work.

Fine except:

If you buy a modifier that comes with a speed ring that has an insert (usually Bowens type) that's incompatible with your lights. Or,

If you buy a Photek Illuminata which comes with a proprietary speed ring and no insert. Or,

If you want to use a softbox with an umbrella type opening mechanism that has an integral speed ring but no insert. Or,

If you want to replace some of your conventional speed rings with the previously mentioned Bowens Quick Ring. Or,

If you have a beauty dish or snoot that requires an insert. Or,

If you want to add a Lastolite EZYbox to your modifier collection.

Dave F.

Great reference thread Dave....
I have a guess why there is no standardization between manufactures. Once you invest in the high cost of tooling, dies, molds ect there is a need to make them proprietary to their ring. After the investment they are hopeful to sell enough to recoup the cost then turn a profit.

This will be a great thread to see what aftermarket inserts will work with certain speedrings.

norman elinchrom insert works with all my rings
they are 146mm i think

Hey Dave,

I just saw this. Were your ears ringing yesterday? LOL While you were working on this post I was creating a similar and related post.

https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=10530216#po​st10530216

TMR Design wrote in post #10530222
Hey Dave,

I just saw this. Were your ears ringing yesterday? LOL While you were working on this post I was creating a similar and related post.

https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=10530216#po​st10530216

What a relief! I though it was tinnitus.

Dave F.

tetrode wrote in post #10525195
Fine except:

If you buy a modifier that comes with a speed ring that has an insert (usually Bowens type) that's incompatible with your lights. Or,

If you buy a Photek Illuminata which comes with a proprietary speed ring and no insert. Or,

If you want to use a softbox with an umbrella type opening mechanism that has an integral speed ring but no insert. Or,

If you want to replace some of your conventional speed rings with the previously mentioned Bowens Quick Ring. Or,

If you have a beauty dish or snoot that requires an insert. Or,

If you want to add a Lastolite EZYbox to your modifier collection.

Dave F.

Well I've learned in this business after 20 years that it's best to stick with one or two manufactures and you will significantly lessen your headaches.....

Totally unrelated, but how many of you have realized that the sparkplugs from one make/model of car does not fit sparkplugs from another make/model, and that there are different lengths of threads, different temperatures of tips, and some crash into the tops of cylinders if inserted into the wrong engine? ..why no standardization?!

Not that it makes the speedring issue any better! Lookit all the different mounts on lenses too! No standardization

Sorry, you gotta chuckle about number of hot dogs vs. number of buns in packages, too.