Attaching Speedlite to Softbox

[evan_lentz]

<p>Hello, </p>

<p>I am waiting in line for my Einstein light from Paul C Buff. In the meantime I would like to attach my speedlite 580 ex ii to the 42" paul c Buff foldable softbox, and to a light stand.<br>

I was told to get two adaptors:<br>

A Strobie XS bracket:<br>

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/621579-REG/Interfit_INT326.html</p>

<p>and a S type speedring:<br>

http://www.porters.com/easy-open-soft-box-custom-speed-ring-for-jtl-interfit-bowens-monolights.html</p>

<p>The problem is that the S speed ring from porter's is on backorder until July 15th. Does anyone know of another setup I can use to get this working?</p>

<p>Thanks!<br>

Evan</p>

 

[devon_mccarroll]

<p>Not sure about the setup, but I'm guessing your speedlight won't be enough to really illuminate a 42" box. I'd wait for the Einstein rather than spend money on a setup you won't need once your monolight arrives.</p>

[lex_jenkins]

<p>The 580 Speedlite EX II is comparable to my Nikon SB-800 (similar guide numbers, 190 vs. 184 at 1/1 output, ISO 100, 105mm flash head setting). I've used my SB-800 with a 42" diameter Photoflex white diffuser and a 24"x32" softbox for closeups. Using a flash meter these diffusers cut the effective output roughly in half. At ISO 100 that gives me around f/11 at a three foot working distance.</p>

<p>It's adequate for closeups including head and shoulders portraits, but not ideal. I wouldn't spent much money on an adapter to fit a hotshoe flash to a softbox. I use velcro straps and tape to attach my hotshoe flash units to the softbox, using the little plastic shoe stand that came with the SB-800, or a mini-tripod with those flexible leglettes. I just use the ring adapter on the softbox to wrap the velcro straps and tape around. It works well enough for the handful of occasions I've resorted to that method.</p>

<p>I already had various devices and doodads to cobble a hotshoe flash onto a softbox: a TTL curly cord and Pocket Wizards to trigger the flash, so no extra cost there. Ditto other hotshoe and tripod doodads I've picked up for a buck or two in pawn shop junk bins over the years, so no extra cost there. If I didn't already have that stuff I doubt I'd spend the money on purpose-made adapters to attach a hotshoe flash to a softbox. I'd just wait for the monlights or pack lights to arrive.</p>

[picturesque]

<p>The following will work if the speedring you have has a 1/4 20 screw hole on the bottom of the speedring.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/197439-REG/Photoflex_AC_B222SM_Adjustable_Shoe_Mount_Connector.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/197439-REG/Photoflex_AC_B222SM_Adjustable_Shoe_Mount_Connector.html</a></p>

<p>But Lex is right--stretch some bungees across the pins on the speedring and put the shoemount through the hole.</p>

[henryp]

<p>You might want to consider a <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.fjwestcott.com/products/array.cfm?tbl=haloapollo&catname=haloapollo&head=haloapollo" target="_blank">Westcott Apollo</a> softbox. They set up with an umbrella-frame system so no speed ring is necessary. You'd need a light stand, Apollo, umbrella mount with shoe (see pic) and a speedlight.<br>

<img src="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images150x150/298709.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /><br>

Henry Posner<br /><strong>B&H Photo-Video</strong></p>

[lex_jenkins]

<p>That Westcott shoe mount flash adapter in Henry's illustration is similar to a couple of doodads I'd already acquired over the years, tho' mine are all plastic (nylon?) which limits the weight they'll support. I also have a Westcott telescoping arm support for my Photoflex reflector/diffuser, so combining these doodads makes for a portable setup for battery powered flash. Not much light so the use is limited, but beats lugging monolights or pack lights around especially to places lacking a handy power supply.</p>

[light_linguist]

<p>Here's my solution.</p>

<p>I had an old PCB 24x36 softbox (Lightgear USA brand) and wanted to use it with my SB-800.<br>

CheetahStand.com sells an adapter similar to the Interfit Strobie XS adapter called the Cheetah Speed Pro bracket for $65. <br>

<a href="http://www.cheetahstand.com/servlet/the-25/Cheetah-Speed-Pro-Bracket/Detail">http://www.cheetahstand.com/servlet/the-25/Cheetah-Speed-Pro-Bracket/Detail</a></p>

<p>They also have the PCB speedring that's on sale for $7 (regular price is $13).<br>

With the CheetahStand's PCB speedring, you use it inplace of the original speedring that comes with your PCB softbox.</p>

<p>Not as cheap of a solution as tape and bungee cords but it's probably cheaper than Interfit and looks professional. I like it more than Interfit because you can slide the speedlight in and out of the hole in the back.<br>

I'm also interested in getting a Westcott Apollo 50". It looks like a great setup and you can rig it to have more than one speedlight.</p>

<p> </p>