Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hi,

New Einstein user here and I think they are great. To get some of my current modifers to work with the Balcar mount, I need to perform some surgery. Can you give me the ideal specs (diameter, flange throat length, etc) of what the Einsteins would require?

Thank you,
AM

I would love to know this information as well. I've had to buy replacement speedrings for some of my softboxes since the ones that worked perfectly with my Alien Bees don't seem to fit well on my Einsteins.

If you are looking for just a speedring then the Bowens Quick Ring with Swivel (BH Photo: BOQRS) with a SP Studio Systems Speed Ring for Balcar, White Lightning (BH Photo: SPARCSBB) is a perfect fit for the Einstein mount. It fits even better than an original Buff LGSR speedring. Note: The Bowens Quick Ring is designed for a softbox or stripbox, and can't be used with an octabox without modification.

Thanks CanadianEh - hopefully TS will provide us some details.

On the insert you mentioned - do you happen to know what the outer diameter is?

I'll measure for you later tonight or tomorrow.

I second the recommendation of the Bowens Quick Ring with SP insert. It works *very* well on the Einsteins. This is what the ring and insert look like:



The Bowens Quick Ring takes a very small diameter insert: 140mm.

Also, modifying the ring for octa use is simple requiring only that the 1/4-20 threaded hole be drilled out to accept an octa rod end.

Dave F.

Here's the official requirements, from Paul himself.

And here's a thread where several users measured different speedrings and reflectors with digital calipers to see how well real life stuff was meeting the spec.

A helpful "real world" hint: don't make your hole oversize. The hole spec is 3.5 inches, and you'll notice that just about everything measured was slightly under that. Anything from 3.4-3.5 appears to work well. 3.6 is unstable (been there, done that).

Thank you Joseph - good information to have. From my personal experience, I doubt that a 3.5" hole with a 1/8" (0.125") standoff would work and would likely be too loose. I should probably go to at least .200" in my mod.

I'm trying to build what Dave suggested.

I had no issue finding the Bowens Quick Ring (B&H & Adorama).

What I'm not sure about is the "SP insert", which is the actual critical part that makes the adapter ring attach to the Einstein.

Is this is it?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/185322-REG/SP_Studio_Systems_SPARBW1_Speed_Ring_for_Balcar.html

Thanks,
Shahar

That is the correct insert!