Photoflex Community Discussion

Mounting my litedome on a Jinbei strobe

2013-02-12T16:00:28Z

Hello

I own a Medium Lite Dome , and would like to connect it to a Bowen type strobe.
I have seen two connectors reference for this purpose, the 8017TR ( that I haven’t found on the web site) and the 9017TR.
What is the difference between those two references ? I can buy one or another without consequence with my lite dome softbox ?

Thank you for this interesting forum

Julien

For mounting my shoe flash to a soft box, when do I use the Basic square plastic connector & when do I use the Basic Metal OctoConnector?

2013-01-04T00:42:16Z

The basic plastic connector only works with the 4 sided soft boxes. The metal OctoConnector has more holes and is necessary for the OctoDomes. The metal Octoconnector can also be used for the 4 sided boxes and is recommended for sizes larger than the medium or any HalfDome. The metal connector is more durable, but for the 4 sided soft boxes it requires that you use our new Adjustable shoe mount 2 with the 5/8 stud to mount the adjustable shoe mount to the ring.

How large of a soft box can I use with my shoe flash and the Adjustable Shoe Mount Hardware?

2013-01-04T00:35:31Z

The Adjustable Shoe mount hardware 2, when used with a metal OctoConnector would work fine with any of our soft boxes, including the 7’ OctoDome. However, unless the shoe flash has bare bulb ability, it will not provide enough edge to edge illumination to make it worth it. I have tested our 5’ OctoDome with a Nikon shoe flash with a dome over it to create a similar bare bulb effect (which professional strobes use in soft boxes). The result was very good and I was able to get about f5.6 at around 5’ at ISO 400.
Since the Adjustable Shoe Mount 2 is mounted directly under the OctoConnector to the swivel on your light stand, there is no stress on the bracket that holds your shoe flash, as all the stress is at the swivel. The design of the new Adjustable Shoe Mount 2 forces the user to mount the bracket to the connector with the stud, which was the primary change in this product from earlier versions. The metal is also a little thicker.
our older version of the Adjustable Shoe Mount Hardware, which would allow the user to attach it to a swivel on a light stand directly under one of the shoe mounts. In the old days of film, much higher flash power was needed, so no one would even think of using a shoe flash with the size soft boxes people are able to use today. So the design change for the Adjustable Shoe Mount 2 was to facilitate the larger soft boxes.

Could I use a speedlight with your HalfDome?

2012-06-11T21:55:39Z

Yes! Photoflex recently upgraded the classic Adjustable Shoe Mount Adapter so that it could work with our heavy duty metal connector ring, which will easily support the HalfDome. Just use the larger thread size of the brass stud which comes with the Adjustable Shoe Mount adapter & connect it to the threaded 5/8 inch hole of the connector ring. Be sure to choose the threaded hole which gives even spacing between rods, so the box is parallel to the ground. Since the HalfDome has two levels of diffusion, it works nicely with your speedlight, especially when your speedlight is set for the widest angle or a dome diffuser is placed over it. The parts needed are:
Adjustable Shoe Mount 2
Basic Metal OctoConnector
Heavy Duty Swivel
HalfDome Small

Which is better for a speedlight softbox-the xs LiteDome or xs OctoDome?

2012-06-11T21:24:28Z

The extra small OctoDome & extra small LiteDome are both nice light sources, but the OctoDome offers one more level of diffusion, with an extra interior baffle. The Octodome also gives a wider light spread & round catch lights in the eyes. The LiteDome is lighter and a little more compact. The OctoDome is a heavier duty more heat resistant fabric, as it is also used for strobes with modeling lights & can withstand up to 500 watts of tungsten continuous light. If the LiteDome is used with the dome diffuser from your shoe flash, it can increase its diffused effect.

How do you utilize the elongated area in the back of the LiteRoom? What accessories are suppose to come with the LiteRoom?

2012-06-11T21:18:36Z

There are Velcro tabs in the back of the elongated area, where you could attach homemade backdrops. Just sew or tape Velcro to your backdrop where it attaches in the back of the LiteRoom.
The idea of the LiteRoom, is to fashion your set, then place the LiteRoom over it & illuminate the LiteRoom with any variety of lighting. With your camera on a tripod, then you can poke the camera through one of the many openings.

Can a soft box designed for hot lights also be used for strobes?

2012-06-11T21:04:49Z

There is no problem using a SoftBox rated for high wattage with low wattage units like strobes. The hot light SoftBoxes are simply made with heavier duty fire resistant fabric, so they will cost more. The important thing is to not use a low wattage rated SoftBox designed for strobes with a higher wattage hot light.

Can any of your speedrings be used with the adjustable shoe mount flash hardware bracket ? I have a White Lightning ring.

2012-06-11T20:46:26Z

If your shoe flash can fit through the white lightening ring size, then it will work with our new Adjustable Shoe Mount 2

Which is better, a softbox or an umbrella?

2012-06-11T17:48:51Z

For portraits and product photography, most professionals prefer to use SoftBoxes, as the extra diffusion in front of the light (not available with the umbrella) produces less specularity in the highlight areas of faces & creates a more pleasing skin tone. Products tend to look more natural with the diffused window light quality of the soft box. It is also easier to control the direction of the light with the SoftBox, especially when combined with a grid. An umbrella is useful for large groups, when you want a wide and soft light spread. You may wish to purchase a SoftBox kit and have an umbrella available for those circumstances.

Cleaning LiteDiscs and Softbox Faces and baffles

2012-05-18T23:34:36Z

You can use a soft cloth & mild soap solution (like a little Woolite mixed in water) to hand wipe the affected areas on the fabric. Test small areas first. Replacement baffles and faces are available at an economical price.