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Archive 2011 · Fitting Bowens reflector to balcar/WL/AB's?

  
 
frank gross
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Fitting Bowens reflector to balcar/WL/AB's?


I have this s-type bowens reflector that I want to use on a white lightning monolight.

I am open to an adapter, or cutting, drilling, screwing, bolts, rivets ...cosmetics unimportant

Any idea how to do it?

http://www.frankgross.com/temp/frank_light_tests/images/04.jpg



Mar 20, 2011 at 06:22 PM
BrianO
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Fitting Bowens reflector to balcar/WL/AB's?


Contact Jerry Kacey; he makes a line of adapters. His site doesn't show a version for Bowens-to-Balcar, but he may be able to custom-make something along those lines.

Tell him Brian from Everett sent you: http://www.kaceyenterprises.com/?page_id=2



Mar 20, 2011 at 10:56 PM
PeterBerressem
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Fitting Bowens reflector to balcar/WL/AB's?


Frank, any adaptor would take the flash tube too far back. Talking about cutting... I'd suggest to get a Balcar/AB /WL softbox insert, cut off the Bowens collar and rivet the insert to the bowl.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/277141-REG/Photek_MCAR_01_Illuminata_Insert_Ring_for.html



Mar 21, 2011 at 02:19 AM
frank gross
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Fitting Bowens reflector to balcar/WL/AB's?


Peter,
That is what i was thinking to do too.
I was concerned about getting the surfaces close enough together to attach.
Without having it & trying, it is difficult to know.

But, I had the idea to use either the WL/AB umbrella reflector
http://www.white-lightning.com/7ur.html
or the regular X-series 7 inch reflector
http://www.white-lightning.com/7abr.html

Your thought of the insert is good.
I also found
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=sp+ring++for+Balcar&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

I also thought that i should leave about an inch of the collar to maintain rigidity & strength.

What do you think?



Mar 21, 2011 at 07:42 AM
PeterBerressem
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Fitting Bowens reflector to balcar/WL/AB's?


frank gross wrote:
But, I had the idea to use either the WL/AB umbrella reflector
http://www.white-lightning.com/7ur.html
or the regular X-series 7 inch reflector
http://www.white-lightning.com/7abr.html

>>> For what purpose were they meant? Adapting?

Your thought of the insert is good.
I also found
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=sp+ring++for+Balcar&N=0&InitialSearch=yes
>>> will suit as well IMO

I also thought that i should leave about an inch of the collar to maintain rigidity & strength.

>>>> This would take the tube back, what I'd avoid. Without doubt, the Bowens bowl is strong enough to hold the insert. Insert should be installed on the back of the bowl, of course.



Mar 21, 2011 at 08:15 AM
digadv
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Fitting Bowens reflector to balcar/WL/AB's?


The insert would probably work best, but unfortunately the flash tube may still be too far back. Ideally the flash tube should be positioned inside the cavity of the dish.

I just finished an identical mod where I cut off the bowens mount leaving about .2" of the neck. I then pounded out the metal, creating a flat circle area around the hole. Using .125" aluminum plate, I created two rings each with an OD of 4.7" and an ID of 3.5". The dish was sandwiched between the two rings with six machine screws. If your dish is extra heavy duty, you might consider .1" plate instead.

You did say you don't mind sawing, drilling, etc ...

Edited on Mar 21, 2011 at 09:17 AM · View previous versions



Mar 21, 2011 at 08:17 AM
frank gross
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Fitting Bowens reflector to balcar/WL/AB's?


that is a serious amount of work....is it necessary to make the two plates to sandwich the dish between ? Surely the insert riveted to the dish is ok?

What did you use to cut off the collar?

Peter - I had thought of the reflectors to be used in the same way as the inserts. But, I agree that one of the two inserts would work better.

I wonder which one has the the closest profile to fit snugly against the Bowens?




Mar 21, 2011 at 09:15 AM
digadv
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Fitting Bowens reflector to balcar/WL/AB's?


I used a dremel tool with the cutoff disc. It tool a little while but came out OK.

Regarding the insert, try to find one that is as shallow as possible - that will give you the best shot for getting the flash tube into the dish.



Mar 21, 2011 at 10:10 AM
frank gross
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Fitting Bowens reflector to balcar/WL/AB's?


Thanks. I will try and borrow a Dremel to cut off the collar.

......as a side note....since you have the same Bowens dish....do you know where to find a grid that fits the front diameter ?



Mar 21, 2011 at 10:31 AM
digadv
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Fitting Bowens reflector to balcar/WL/AB's?


My dish is not identical and came with a grid. Is it 16"? You may be able to pick one up off of ebay.

On your mod, you should take a look at this ... http://www.kaceyenterprises.com/?page_id=481. Once you cut the Bowens mount off, you should be able to mount this adapter fairly easily.



Mar 21, 2011 at 10:39 AM
frank gross
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Fitting Bowens reflector to balcar/WL/AB's?


Very interesting, but I can't imagine how to attach a flatadapter like this:
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/482042801_DHkGX-XL.jpg
to a curved surface like this:
http://www.frankgross.com/temp/frank_light_tests/images/04.jpg



Mar 21, 2011 at 10:48 AM
digadv
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Fitting Bowens reflector to balcar/WL/AB's?


Yep, not without creating a flat surface on the dish.


Mar 21, 2011 at 10:50 AM
frank gross
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Fitting Bowens reflector to balcar/WL/AB's?


It seems like the Kacey will work. The outside diameter is 6 in and if it doesn't lie flat I can use washers as spacers. Thanks for your help


Mar 21, 2011 at 02:33 PM
Daniel Heineck
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Fitting Bowens reflector to balcar/WL/AB's?


While not the strongest thing around, laying a bead of silicone caulk around the interface will help keep everything together. That is in addition to the rivets/screws you're planning.


Mar 21, 2011 at 02:39 PM
24Peter
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Fitting Bowens reflector to balcar/WL/AB's?


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003EWM8TW



Mar 21, 2011 at 09:07 PM
frank gross
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Fitting Bowens reflector to balcar/WL/AB's?


jeez what a good deal...pity I already ordered the kacey this evening


Mar 21, 2011 at 09:33 PM
BrianO
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Fitting Bowens reflector to balcar/WL/AB's?


frank gross wrote:
It seems like the Kacey will work. The outside diameter is 6 in and if it doesn't lie flat I can use washers as spacers. Thanks for your help


You're welcome!



Mar 21, 2011 at 09:40 PM





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