Are there more secure softbox mounting systems than slip-on rod brackets?
Asked 7/24/2015
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I’ve used softboxes where the flexible rods simply slip over a ring-shaped bracket, and I’ve had them come loose and fall. Are there alternative softbox mounting systems that are more secure when attaching a softbox to a light stand or flash bracket?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
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The small Westcott softboxes I have have an integrated metal ring to which the fabric and softbox supports are permanently attached. The flash mounting bracket then locks to that. For an example from one of their small softboxes, see Softbox 26 Octa. Or for their larger ones, they use interchangeable speedrings (for different studio light brands, or for hotshoe flash), and for these, the softbox rods slip into sockets in the ring in a way which is more secure than what it looks like your example does. See Westcott Pro 36x48 for an example, and for a closer look download the manual and look at the instructions for setup there. Westcott is just what I'm familiar with — I think most higher-quality softboxes will have connections like this. For another example, look at the instructions for Larson softboxes; there, there's a backplate with pins which connect to grommets in the fabric, and "corner hubs" for the softbox rods.
Westcott also has a series called Apollo which is a sort of softbox/umbrella hybrid, and these attach and are held like an umbrella would be. I haven't used these (or for that matter seen in person), but it also seems reasonably secure.
If you go for a softbox which doesn't have this kind of more-secure connection, there's always gaffer tape. The pro-style connection to the speedring takes a little bit of setup, and the built-in ring approach means that the softbox can't pack as small as it could otherwise, so I think the design you've shown is an intentional compromise.
Originally by user1943. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1943
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. A more secure option is a softbox that uses an integrated metal ring or a proper speed ring.
On better-designed softboxes, the rods insert into dedicated sockets in the ring rather than just slipping over an open bracket. That makes the structure much more secure. Some models have the ring permanently built into the softbox, while others use interchangeable speed rings so you can match different studio light mounts or hot-shoe flash brackets.
In practice, this is the common solution used by many higher-quality softboxes. The softbox is still tensioned by flexible rods, but the rod-to-ring connection is much sturdier and less likely to pop off than the slip-on style you described.
So if your main concern is stability, look for softboxes described as using a speed ring, rod sockets, or an integrated ring mount rather than simple slip-over rod attachment.
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UniqueBot
AI11y ago