p.1 #1 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
So I'm out on a location shoot and discover the little tabs on my elinchrom speed ring are bent. Turns out they are made of cheap aluminum. They are softer than the cheap chinese-made adapter rings from fotodiox. Can the adapter ring itself be replaced or do I need to spend $100 and buy a whole new speed-ring? Seems amazing to me that a $300 softbox could have such a weak link.
p.1 #2 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
If you look at the prices I think you should adjust your title to say "Surprised elinchrom speedring made of expensive aluminum".
You can take apart the adapter ring although it's not meant to be. I've done it to get measurements on the ring itself but I don't know if you can buy a replacement that is the same size. I've never had a problem with them bending even with the larger softboxes.
p.1 #3 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
Gotta disagree. It's not expensive alum. It's soft alum and pot metal for the actual ring.
This particular one is attached to a 39" deep octa and is used on location so it's taken on and off the bxri 500 5-6 times a week and after about 2 months it needs to be replaced.
Bummer. If you leave it on in the studio (as I do with my 53) it's fine but with constant use it's flakey.
p.1 #4 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
And , I wouldn't mind paying $100 for the replacement if it was more sturdy but the thought of $100 every few months is bumming me out. I'll probably sell it or leave it for in-studio only and switch back to the fotodiox. At least their cheap alum adapters are only $9.99 but they are more sturdy than the elinchrom.
p.1 #7 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
Have you tried calling Manfrotto yet? The speedrings should not bend under normal use (which I'm sure is where visualist is coming from). I'd definitely contact them and see if they'll cover it under warranty.
It wouldn't be the first time Elinchrom has had manufacturing issues.
p.1 #8 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
Which speed ring are we talking about here? One from Elinchrom or one from another manufacturer? I've been using Elinchrom rings for years without issue. It may be that you got something defective.
But bent speedrings is hardly something you hear often about Elinchrom equipment.
p.1 #9 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
I did contact manfrotto. They said I'd have to get a new ring but didn't answer my question about whether it would be covered by warranty. The softbox has been babied since we got it but it does require a certain amount of torque to lock it onto the bxri 500 so I'm sure that's why the tabs got bent.
p.1 #10 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
photosymbol wrote:
Which speed ring are we talking about here? One from Elinchrom or one from another manufacturer? I've been using Elinchrom rings for years without issue. It may be that you got something defective.
But bent speedrings is hardly something you hear often about Elinchrom equipment.
elinchrom speedring. Nobody makes a speedring for the 39" deep octo that I'm aware of. If they did, I'd probably try it rather than pay $100 for another one made of pot metal.
p.1 #11 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
jzucker wrote:
huh? Why do folks always have to be so condescending on these forums? I do not abuse my equipment.
Because unless it arrived broken or deffective, you have to use force to bend or break something. Or you've tried prying it of the flash without opening the lock. Or you stepped on it. Or you didn't pack it correct and it happend during transport. Or you dropped it. Or whatever. And some ppl preffer to ignore the instructions and mount or dismount softboxes with the flash still on the stand ...
p.1 #12 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
While i don't agree on his delivery of the message, i have to agree with Visualist. I think you may be the second person in 6 years of me being on forums and using Elinchrom equipment to complain about this.
Secondly, people are condescending to you most likely because you immediately come to forums and forgive me for saying this, - but you seem to complain a lot. If you tried out equipment (Plenty of people in Cleveland and nearby using Elinchrom equipment) maybe you'd avoid having so many issues. Or like with Alien Bee equipment, (I won't comment on that one, because i agree that their products [....]) or with the Sekonic thread about it not giving you readouts in the manner you wanted when you could read the manual before purchase.
p.1 #13 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
several people discussed this in another thread where I was complaining about the AB mounts. Sorry that you don't want to hear anything but positive reviews. I call 'em as I see em. Unsubscribe from my postings if it bothers you.
p.1 #16 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
FWIW my original 39" Octa didn't come with a case and after a few years the tabs did bend and I couldn't mount it to the light anymore. I was able to carefully bend it back and it's been fine since then. The mounts are pretty soft and do bend easily though.
p.1 #17 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
tedwca wrote:
FWIW my original 39" Octa didn't come with a case and after a few years the tabs did bend and I couldn't mount it to the light anymore. I was able to carefully bend it back and it's been fine since then. The mounts are pretty soft and do bend easily though.
I bent mine back and it does mount and dismount from the light but I'm a bit worried about metal fatigue. For $100, I wish they would have used nickel or steel instead of aluminum which is even softer than silver!
p.1 #20 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
eSchwab wrote:
I was being condescending?
nope. Some folks are. I've noticed in all the equipment forums there are fans of certain equipment and if you say anything negative folks will jump on you and are quick to accuse you of all sorts of things. Instead, we ought to be able to be honest about the pros and cons of the gear. I love the elinchrom light modifiers but the hardware could use some improvement.
