Red wing [Aka Calumet?] Or SP Studios Softbox?

Nick Zentena · Dec 22, 2005

Actually this isn't really about the boxes but about the speedrings. Yup I'm still not 100% sure -)

Does anybody have either of the mentioned boxes? Do your adapters look anything like these?

Adapter rings

If so any chance you could measure the opening of the speedring or the outside dimension of the adaptor?

Or better yet has anybody used these adaptors with the Amovona connectors?

Thanks.

Nick Zentena · Jan 17, 2006

To follow up. The adapters are a touch too small for the Amovona outer piece. I don't know if it's possible to jury rig something up or not. We'll see.

blansky · Jan 17, 2006

Where did you get the light heads. I've never heard of Amovona.

Most softboxes are pretty much the same, but one of the factors is the availibility of speedrings for them. Mainstream brands like Photoflex and Chimera have rings for most lights, however your's I've never heard of.

Jerry rigged speedrings are usually a pain.

Do you have more info to share.

Michael

blansky · Jan 17, 2006

If you are having trouble finding speed rings for your lights there is another way to attach light modifiers.

If your lights are able to have an umbrella attached then a company like Wescott makes modifiers that attach the same as an umbrella.

This could be another option.

http://www.fjwestcott.com/products/umbbasedboxes.htm

If you still have trouble personal mail me and maybe I can help. I have a number of different light modifiers.

Michael

Nick Zentena · Jan 17, 2006

Amovona is I guess basically an Ebay company. Selling softbox,umbrellas,cases,stands and other things I can't remember. They do sell direct but the Ebay prices are very low. For example I bought a few different softboxes for an average price not much more then $10. Sounds good until I try to hang them off anything.

I talked myself into a Speedotron light. The hope was to avoid buying the Speedotron made speedring. But I guess that's something I'll have to consider now. Hopefully it'll fit the softboxes.

The umbrella well that's a different issue. Seems the idiot I am I didn't fully read the manual before I bought the light. Supposedly umbrellas are supposed to be used with the 7" umbrella reflector. Considering how long I had the manual in my hands before ordering you'd think I would have clued into that bit. :rolleyes: I do have have a couple of umbrella softboxes that I got from Amovona. Those at least more or less work without the reflector.

I think I might be able to make the adapter I got work. Just need to figure the best way to flesh it out a little. Right now only two of the four mounting screws actually touch the adapter. If I could just get a third in place it should be okay.

RJS · Jan 21, 2006

soft box (Amvona)

I too have an Amvona soft box - $20 on ebay. Excellent value - however. I have some Lowell lights (hot lights) and I have yet to figure a way to use the soft box with them. I would certainly appreciate any thoughts. Also, is a soft box much different from bouncing off a reflector or board? and what about just using a diffuser in front of the light. The soft box I suppose minimizes other extraneous light.

blansky · Jan 21, 2006

There are soft boxes made by people like Chimera that are designed for hot lights. If you use yours you will probably just burn a hole in them or start them on fire.

Soft boxes were designed after photographers started shooting throught their translucent umbrellas and found they liked tha quality of the light. The difference was that soft boxes can control the light from going off in every direction and stop lens flare.

There are lots of methods of softening the light and they all work with some advantages and some pitfalls. Soft boxes are probably softer than many other methods and obviously more convenient. But with hot lights life is more difficult due to the heat.

Michael

Nick Zentena · Jan 21, 2006

Amovona actually sells hot lights with the same boxes so they should be safe. If only somebody could figure out a way to mount them. If they were smart they would just copy the SP adapter system it's only a fraction of a inch smaller. Too bad it's just too small. OTOH the SP adapter is much lighter duty then the one Amovona ships with it's lights.

david b · Jan 21, 2006

I bought a couple air-cushined light stands from them for about $30 if I remember right. Excellent value but lousy service. THeir checkout and other time wasting stuff was a deal killer for me.

Nick Zentena · Feb 14, 2006

I just wanted to finish up for anybody in the future facing the same problem.

The Redwing outer adapter ring and the SP inner ring together are likely the cheapest speedring to mount the Amovona boxes. The SP inner ring is lighter weight then the one that comes with the Amovona box but it actually fits the lights.

So if you need to buy a new speedring that's likely the best route. I've only tried the redwing with a rectangular box but I think it should be okay with the octoboxes to. I'll try it this weekend and if it doesn't work I'll report back.

RJS · Feb 15, 2006

I think I'll probably give up on the Amvona soft box as usable with my hot lights. It cost so little that buying attachments (Redwing adapter - where?) I think would cost more than it's worth. It is a lot of soft box for very little money ($20) so I don't particularly regret it, but I'm pressed for space and setting up additional stands to hold it etc. is just too much. Anyway, a frame with nylon with my umbrella aimed at it works as well maybe better. But thanks for the suggestions.

Nick Zentena · Feb 15, 2006

I got the redwing outer ring from B&H. They also have the SP inner adapter. Basically it's the same setup that Amovona ships just the inner opening is a touch smaller. Supposedly Calumet softboxes and speedrings are really Redwing.

Turns out the Octo box won't work with this setup Two of the holes are really tripod mounts. The 3/8" is okay but the 1/4" is just too small to fit the pole. So using this ring would mean leaving one pole not in the ring.

I know it seems wierd to spend more for the speedring then the softbox but the combination is still cheaper then other choices. If you can find a used speedring that fits your light that might be cheaper. But most of the used ones I've seen were more expensive then the new Redwing plus the SP.

AZLF · Feb 17, 2006

I bought two of the Amvona light boxes too but was intending to use them with my Bogen 400ws mono lights. The ring supplied with them was not quite big enough to get around the end of the Bogen units so I used my right angle grinder and took out a little surplus metal around the ring ID. They now just fit the Bogens and will still work with a smaller set of strobes I also use. I also bought two of their 8ft light stands and for the money I think they work out pretty well.

RJS · Feb 18, 2006

I have two Lowel Tota lights - and had an apparently delusional thought I could use them withthe Amvona soft box. Hah! It wasa thought, albeit not very sensible.

Red wing [Aka Calumet?] Or SP Studios Softbox?

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