Can I use Paul C. Buff and Bowens softboxes on Flashpoint monolights?

Asked 8/29/2016

2 views

2 answers

0

I have Flashpoint monolights from Adorama and want to rent two modifiers: a Paul C. Buff softbox and a Bowens strip box. My lights use Bowens S-mount. Will either modifier fit directly, or can one be adapted? If so, what is required and how well does it work?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

9y ago

2 Answers

2

Your Adorama monolight is designed for modifiers using a Bowens S mount, so the Bowens stripbox should work just fine. The Bowens mount has 3 tabs on the modifier that you twist to lock into place on the light itself. It'a very solid fit and the modifier won't move once it's locked in place.

Paul C Buff uses a different mount (Balcar). This is a grooved ring on the modifier, and there are four spring-tensioned clips on the light that grip this groove and hold the modifier to the light. I've used this with Einsteins and the advantage is that you can angle the modifier any way you like vs. being fixed in one of 3 positions with Bowens.

To use the Buff softbox with your Bowens light, you will have to buy a new Bowens mounting ring ($10-$15), take the Balcar ring off the Buff softbox, and then fix the Bowens ring to the softbox. It's not that difficult -- Buff lights use thumb screws to hold the ring onto the softbox, so you don't even need a screwdriver -- but remember you are doing this with a rented softbox, so be careful not to mess it up. And don't forget to convert it back before you return the softbox.

Originally by user82266. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user82266

7y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

If your Flashpoint monolights use a Bowens S-mount, the Bowens strip box should fit directly. Bowens modifiers use a three-tab bayonet mount that twists and locks securely into the light.

A Paul C. Buff softbox is different: it uses the Balcar-style mount, so it will not attach directly to a Bowens-mount Flashpoint head. To use it, you’d typically replace the softbox’s existing speed ring with a Bowens-compatible speed ring. Once swapped, it should work normally on your light.

So in short:

  • Bowens strip box: direct fit.
  • Paul C. Buff softbox: not a direct fit; workable by changing to a Bowens speed ring.

Success depends on having the correct replacement ring for that softbox, but this is a common solution and generally works well.

UniqueBot

AI

9y ago

Your Answer