p.1 #1 · Elinchrom speedrings for other modifiers?
I have a few Elinchrom lights and I love using them. The thing is, some of the modifiers can get expensive. Some of them also takes some work to setup, which isn't so quick. Perfect example is the deep octa, which sometimes is frustrating to just setup. Any of you know any cheap yet effective speedrings for other modifiers? Where are some good places to buy them? Right now I'm mainly looking for something that will adapt to a westcot apollo type softbox, but I've been looking at some chimera and AB boxes as well. Also, are there any generic beauty dishes that will fit an elinchrom?
p.1 #2 · Elinchrom speedrings for other modifiers?
Sahid Limon wrote:
I have a few Elinchrom lights and I love using them. The thing is, some of the modifiers can get expensive. Some of them also takes some work to setup, which isn't so quick. ...Any of you know any cheap yet effective speedrings for other modifiers? ...Right now I'm mainly looking for something that will adapt to a westcot apollo type softbox...
One nice feature of the Apollos is that they don't require a speed ring; they'll mount to any light that has an umbrella fitting, using their own center shaft (and sometimes an inexpensive -- about $15.00 -- L-bar or, if using a monolight, a Mono Bar -- about $30.00).
Which Elinchrom lights do you have?
Sahid Limon wrote:
...Also, are there any generic beauty dishes that will fit an elinchrom?
Check with Kacey Enterprises; I'm pretty sure they have adapters that will allow both their 22-inch and 45-inch dishes to work on Elinchrom lights.
p.1 #3 · Elinchrom speedrings for other modifiers?
BrianO wrote:
One nice feature of the Apollos is that they don't require a speed ring; they'll mount to any light that has an umbrella fitting, using their own center shaft (and sometimes an inexpensive -- about $15.00 -- L-bar or, if using a monolight, a Mono Bar -- about $30.00).
Which Elinchrom lights do you have?
Check with Kacey Enterprises; I'm pretty sure they have adapters that will allow both their 22-inch and 45-inch dishes to work on Elinchrom lights.
Wow, I had no idea that the Apollos didn't need a bracket. I guess I need to see em in person.
Right now I have the Ranger kit with an S head, and 2 400BX's. So any speedring that will fit the normal heads, and not the mini lights like the quadra.
That 45" BD looks awesome! Way too big for me, but still, would love to have one. Do you know how these dishes are, or the quality of light from them? I've seen the mola demi in person, and that thing is oh so sexy, but obviously more expensive.
p.1 #6 · Elinchrom speedrings for other modifiers?
Brian, you are THE MAN. Thank you so much for not only your detailed description, but the photos as well. I truly appreciate your willingness to help a fellow photographer such as myself. I'm going to put in an order for some Apollos. Looking at the beauty dish that you linked, with the brackets and what not, it pretty close to a mola, so I'll have to look into it some more. Thanks again for the help bud.
p.1 #7 · Elinchrom speedrings for other modifiers?
You may want to look at your manual - from memory the Elinchrom Quadra heads' umbrella receptacle is actually narrower than standard size i.e. will not take the Westcott etc
p.1 #8 · Elinchrom speedrings for other modifiers?
Twenty Years wrote:
You may want to look at your manual - from memory the Elinchrom Quadra heads' umbrella receptacle is actually narrower than standard size i.e. will not take the Westcott etc
Good point; I'd forgotten about that.
Elinchrom uses 7mm shafts on their umbrellas, and Westcott uses 8mm. One would need to buy or make some kind of step-down adapter to use the Apollo with a Ranger head.
The Elinchrom Style RX and D-Lite IT monolights have both 7mm and 8mm holders. (But as far as I know, the BxRi only have 7mm.)
Sahid Limon wrote:
...I'm going to put in an order for some Apollos.
If, based on my insufficiant information, you already ordered an Apollo to use with your Ranger head(s), let me know which one(s) you ordered. I'm a card-carrying member of the IAM (machinist's union), and I can make you an adpter that will let the two devices play well together.
p.1 #9 · Elinchrom speedrings for other modifiers?
All of the elinchroms have 7mm umbrella shafts. However on the tilt bracket there is a metal tab that is meant to hold any other size, however it's quite a bit off center.
p.1 #10 · Elinchrom speedrings for other modifiers?
Thought I should say though, the elinchroms are some of the easiest softboxes to setup. The deep octa is a little more difficult because of the strong curve though.
p.1 #12 · Elinchrom speedrings for other modifiers?
Thanks everyone. Yeah, the Elinchrom heads have the smaller 7mm shaft, and it's super annoying. I found out the hard way when I was at a shoot with a Westcott umbrella, and I couldn't put the darn thing on the light. There is the little metal tab that Eric is talking about, but it's pretty flimsy and doesn't do such a good job. It's more stable on the BX's, but not so much on the smaller ranger head. With the appolos, I think it should still be ok since I can use a umbrella adapter like these, which will hold the strobe up top, but have a normal umbrella shaft below it. I'm mainly looking at these for outdoor use, so I can set it up in a flash, and not worry too much about it.
Adam, I'm quite familiar with Joe McNally, but more with his strobist type work. Will check out the lastolite stuff. Thanks for the link.
Brian, that's very kind of you. What are the adapters you speak of, and how much are they usually?
p.1 #13 · Elinchrom speedrings for other modifiers?
Sahid Limon wrote:
I have a few Elinchrom lights and I love using them. The thing is, some of the modifiers can get expensive. Some of them also takes some work to setup, which isn't so quick. Perfect example is the deep octa, which sometimes is frustrating to just setup. Any of you know any cheap yet effective speedrings for other modifiers? Where are some good places to buy them? Right now I'm mainly looking for something that will adapt to a westcot apollo type softbox, but I've been looking at some chimera and AB boxes as well. Also, are there any generic beauty dishes that will fit an elinchrom?...Show more →
Wait, im a bit curious how is the DO hard to set-up?
It is by far one of the easiest softboxes i have to set-up and takes me only 30seconds or so.
p.1 #14 · Elinchrom speedrings for other modifiers?
Sahid Limon wrote:
...Brian, that's very kind of you. What are the adapters you speak of, and how much are they usually?
I don't know what's available commercially, but I was going to make you something custom. The exact design would take some figuring, depending on which Eli light you would use it on. For the Ranger head I figured a 7mm shaft with two double-drilled blocks to hold it parallel to the 8mm Westcott shaft would work, with the exact spacing between the two shafts subject to experimentation. (I'd borrow or rent a Ranger head for a weekend to play with.)
Cost? A couple bucks for an aluminum rod, a couple more for two blocks of plastic and four small bolts. If it were a commercial product it would probably sell for $25 - $30.
p.1 #15 · Elinchrom speedrings for other modifiers?
Something i've done several times for other umbrellas was to cut open the 8mm shaft and insert my own 7mm shaft, then crimping the exterior to hold the 7mm inside. You could probably drop some light weld and sand it for very smooth operation.
That being said, you can use almost any standard softbox you want with a bowens quickring and your own eli insert.
I was never a fan of the Westcott indirection options.
