Safety and strobes: while using a softbox.

[l_a_k_h_i_n_d_e_r]

I was using a Broncolor Primo head with a Westcott softbox (size

approx 30 "x 40") for evaluation purposes, and noticed just how easy

it is to cause a big accident if the softbox does not insert properly

into Strobe's collar. Not to mention the chance of the whole thing

tripping on the side -- the stands are not sturdy enough perhaps. Or

the stand' locks giving way.

 

Keeping safety as the first concern, I would like some practical tips.

 

1. Should I consider this softbox size only for fixed studios-- which

I certainly do not have. I am not a pro. My goal is to use softbox for

portraiture mainly for 1 or two persons. Everything will get

disassembled each time I finish.

 

2. Any issue with Broncolor collars (or they are all very similar?)

 

3. Forget softbox, and go to Umbrella for this purpose? Or use a

smaller softbox?

 

4. Which stands to use for this purpose. And those sand filled packs

are a necessity too I guess!? Are Bogen stands okay. I noticed they

fold almost into a single pole! I like that for portability. Whereas

Matthew stands kind of become two-dimensional after folding. Thanks.

[beerbrain_ronny_perry]

I sandbag all stands including gobo stands in a studio, on the road I gaffer tape all stands to the floor if I dont have access to any sandbags.One slight slip on the stand and the whole deal is tumbling over on a unbagged stand.People who arent accustomed to being in a studio or on location with lighting gear all over the floor, wont see it and will bump and trip over it,, especially lightstand legs, so a sandbag is good insurance not to get anybody injured. Always match the proper stand size with the size of the lighting instrument, a oversized,,topheavy fixture on a small stand will collapse or fall over.

[ellis_vener_photography]

1.)<I>Not to mention the chance of the whole thing tripping on the side -- the stands are

not sturdy enough perhaps. Or the stand' locks giving way.</I><P>, well get better

stands and always keep one leg under the soft box.<P>

2.) Are you using Broncolor's attachment ring, Westcott's, or another.<P>

3.) What are using it for?<P>

4.) Sand bags are always a good idea. You make one out of a 1 gallon (4 liter?) plastic milk

jug . Just add sand and some rope. Matthews (MSE) makes bags you can fill on and empty

on location. it depends o nthe Bogen/Manfrotto stands. Matthews, or what I thin kare

better, Bogen Avenger, C-stands are much stronger and generally more stable for their

height. I have a mix of various heights of Bogen stands , Lowell KS stands & Avenger C-

stands.

[will_perlis]

Also, fasten cables down low on the stand before they run across the floor to an outlet or pack so if they get yanked they'll be somewhat more likely to slide the stand and gear than to pull it over.

 

Practically anything will work but I like these for that purpose and for keeping cables un-tangled in general:

 

http://www.cableclamp.com

[l_a_k_h_i_n_d_e_r]

Ellis, the attachment ring is from Chimera, and a really solid piece by itself. It is the mating of that ring with Broncolor strobe collar that I feel is a little wobbly. And that gets amplified when I put this reasonably large softbox! I am intending to use the softbox for casual portrait shots. I am a big fan of diffused sources of light like a big window or a skylight (and now the softbox). Thanks.