p.2 #2 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
My brand new 39" deep octa just arrived minutes ago. My speedring has issues as well. I haven not even attempted to assemble. Just handholding the speedring and pull the tabs out I noticed one seem to be stuck. No matter how hard a I pull it won't pull out and them up. Not sure if I'm explaining this correctly. Suffice to say if I assembled the box this one spring would be permanently stuck in the open position. Btw elinchrom did not include a instruction manual I had to watch a elinchrom video online. This was purchased new from b&h
p.2 #3 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
Bent the adapter ring again tonight. Was doing a beach shoot and the wind started blowing. After a few shots we took the 39" octobox off and it was very difficult to remove. The tabs bent again. This does not happen with the cheap photodiox adapter I have on my 36" box. It's been out in 25mph wind and does not bend. The ring on a $300 softbox should be better quality IMO.
It's too bad they don't allow you to replace the ring within the adapter. But since you can't replace the ring, the whole adapter is a $100 expense.
p.2 #4 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
In as much as agreeing with the Op.. I have to admit that having Eli units for quite some years. Some rental on location and some bought outright, I too have had issues with mounts, internals and a host of other items. I've since parted paths with the Eli people and am now being raped for large lighting by ProFoto.
Just because it bears a name plate, doesn't mean quality anymore. period.
p.2 #5 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
It is always a compromise. If you don’t mind the weight, then Fotodiox chrome plated steel will work, but otherwise aluminium is fairly standard.
If you want something that works around the bayonet mount, then look at Profoto lights. They will cost you a lot more, but there are no worries about bent tangs, whether they are mounted correctly, or modifiers falling off.
p.2 #6 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
agreed but it doesn't *HAVE* to be a compromise, that's my point. Elinchrom has a different situation than buff who needs to maintain compatibility with a design that is not so good in the first place. In the case of elinchrom, the design is good. Maybe not great like profoto but if they just switch the bayonet from cheap alum to nickel or steel the problem is solved.
hugowolf wrote:
It is always a compromise. If you don’t mind the weight, then Fotodiox chrome plated steel will work, but otherwise aluminium is fairly standard.
If you want something that works around the bayonet mount, then look at Profoto lights. They will cost you a lot more, but there are no worries about bent tangs, whether they are mounted correctly, or modifiers falling off.
p.2 #7 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
But everyone on the outside always has a way to 'solve a problem'. I'm sure their testing and economics evaluation told them otherwise. Apparently this works within the specs they want and are willing to produce it. If a customer doesn't like the compromise there are other options. On the flip side of that you have people who are not willing to pay the high cost that the maker wants or there is some other issue they don't care for. There is ALWAYS something because not everyone will be satisfied.
Not everyone has the same idea of what's cheap and whats not. For me I am 100% satisfied with AB mounts; it just works for me.
p.2 #8 · Surprised elinchrom speedring made of cheap aluminum
I use the Elinchrom Deep Octa 39" but I bought the Elinchrom speed ring for Rotalux Profoto adapter since I use Profoto lights. I replaced the stock Rotalux speed ring with the Profoto one and put the brand new speed ring in the box and stored it. After seeing this thread, I dug it out. Here is how my stock El Rotalux speed ring stacks up.
The metal is bead blasted but its not pot metal. Its not stamped but I have worked with aluminum before and its pretty decent quality. Its just over 2mm thick throughout. The "ear" or tab as you might want to call it can be bent with pressure. Its not as easy to bend as some other similar mounts using the same type of design I have experience with but if one was in a hurry or the other mount side was mis-aligned I can see how it would be a pain and could bend with repeated efforts. I don't count it as one of the more stout designs out there but I'm not a design engineer.
Overall the insert is plenty heavy duty (being the part that is mounted to a light), the flange looks to be cast but riveted together using two sides, it is plenty stiff. This flange is the same thing on my adapter speed ring so I can attest to it being stout. Those tabs are the weakest point and I think you need to approach mounting using them with some caution and care. I would. I'd probably do come cussing too. The insert cannot be replaced easily. My stock speed ring is riveted from both sides. I count 16 rivets to drill and clean up and those hinged pieces would have to be controlled I suspect, lest they wholly or partially disappear to corners and crevices.
I'm not taking a side here, Just decided to go do some measuring and informal examining. In my estimation the speed ring is better made than some, not as good as some others but it is above average. My adapter runs $115 or so right now so these things aren't real cheap. A EL replacement might be cheaper. But probably still $80-$90 I would guess. Its really part of a system. You buy into Elinchrom and this is what you get just like buying Buff or Bowens, etc.
