As an FYI, picked up a clean used Quadra-Eli adapter, tried it as is and then did the Manfrotto mod and tried with a Mola Demi+Speedo grid.
While other\'s have used this combo, I\'d be reluctant to do so under less than ideal circumstances. Some feedback based on MY use (YMMV) of it:
0. The adapter is simply a metal ring frame, of ____ thick steel with a Quadra mount on one side and an Eli mount, with locking collar on the other. The central metal ring frame has a tab welded at one spot at 90 deg to it\'s face where the swivel mount attaches. This tab-ring junction play an important role later.
1. The adapter itself, baring the swivel mount, is quite nice. Robust (to a degree, see later), locks nicely.
2. The adapter swivel assembly, as on the DLites, is a PoS. No more delicate or accurate way to put it.
It needs the Manfrotto mod ideally, the lock washer mod at bare minimum. With bare reflector and the 16\" sq Quadra SB, no issues, but beyond that you will likely eventually grenade the ratchet handle assembly, like with a DLite, by over-torquing it trying to stop the unit from creeping. Unlike a normal monoblock or Ranger head, the Quadra light is so small and shallow it offers no counterweight to that of any modifier, so it all comes down to the strength of the adapter.
3. The Manfrotto-modified adapter held a Demi+ grid with no creep. My 53\" Octa wasn\'t even an effort to hold stable. That\'s the good news.
The bad news is that with the Demi attached, the slightest touch of the front of the Demi (even when completing mounting process) starts the adapter flexing where the metal ring is welded to the tab that attaches to the swivel assembly. Wife walked in while it was doing this and here words were to the effect of \"..that doesn\'t look good...\" It might last years, it might last weeks - depends on use.
The effect would be the same with a large softbox, especially non-Eli ones that tend to be heavier.
Looking at some options, but for those looking at having the ability to use a Quadra with a large and/or heavy modifier that does not have it\'s own mount (e.g. Lite Bank, Mola Setti, Euro, etc) should look beyond the adapter, even modified, and think of how to support said modifier on it\'s own - with the light simply hitching a ride.
