Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hi,
Just bought a couple of Einstein's and the giant softbox FSB3060. The softbox keeps falling off. I thought it may have been a problem with one of my Einstein's, so I tried the other, the same thing happened about after an hour or so it just drops to the ground, the light stand and unit did not fall just the softbox. I was not touching or moving it, nothing, it just drops to the ground. I think it may have damaged the holding unit because it does not spring back anymore. Any suggestions?
Thanks

i had the same issue with my setup! what you need to do is when you pull down the lever to attach the soft box, you cant just let the lever go, you have to actually push the little lever all the way up to lock it into place once the softbox is installed!

Buff makes some good products and has awesome customer service, but their manuals leave something to be desired...

This is certainly abnormal. I do see where you contacted us via phone and we are working something out through our technical staff.

I use this same setup and have found that I have to make sure the softbox is on and centered. IF I give it a little up and down to make sure it is centered on the mount then it locks into place. If I just put it on and think it is centered the fingers don't don't go back to their full open position. It seems that the weight on the partially engaged fingers keeps them from locking

I have also had this problem and have contacted customer service. I sent light in to be serviced, but am still experiencing the same problem when I received the strobe back. I love your customer service and your products, but this is certainly frustrating.

Is this with an Einstein, or a different light? Are ensuring all four fingers are within the speedring? Is this our speedring and/or softbox?

Hi, Melissa

A suggestion that may help: Instead attaching your softbox to your Einstein when it is already on your lightstand, assemble your softbox and put it face down on the floor. Take your Einstein and attach it to your softbox, then lift the whole thing together and mount it on your lightstand.

My heaviest modifier is a 36" x 48" softbox with an inner diffuser, front diffuser, and grid, and I've never had a problem with it staying on any of my Einsteins. Even years before I switched to Einsteins, though, I started mounting softboxes like this because I just find it easier and assistants seem to struggle less, too. It may also help you ensure your mounting fingers are fully in place and locked, though, because gravity is helping you.


Craíg
http://www.craigwasselphotoart.com

I mount my SweetlightSystems 4' x 6' soft box to my Einsteins and don't have any issues. I also attach my Einstein to the soft box first, then attach to the light stand.