Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hello,

I recently purchased and received the Giant Foldable Softbox (30x60) yesterday. I unpackaged the unit and put it together and noticed that it's fairly heavy for a light modifier. I didn't want to mount it to the light unit because I was unsure if the faceplate bracket ("fingers") would be sturdy enough to support so much weight. My light stands are fairly cheap as I am accustomed to using speedlights. Is this just a matter of getting a sturdier light stand, or is there something else I should be aware of?

Since the faceplate brackets are so short, I'm afraid that they will bend and give under the weight. My worry is that the softbox is going to fall off the faceplate and either do damage to the brackets, the bulbs, or even the SB400 itself.

Thanks

Are you using this with an SB400 (speedlight) or a B400 (Alien Bees monolight)?

If it is with a B400 then you should be ok with the box staying securely mounted to the faceplate. It would be a good idea to upgrade your stand though and also weigh it down / sandbag it to keep it from tipping over.

I meant to say B, not SB.. if thats not proof enough that I'm so accustomed to using speedlights, I don't know what is. :oops:

I am indeed using the B400, the low end Alien Bee monolight. I treat the unit like an egg and didn't want to risk breaking it. I just needed some reassurance that, aside from the toppling over due to a poor light stand, that the light unit itself wouldn't be able to handle the weight.

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, the Bees can hold any of our modifiers securely. Just make sure all four of teh retaining fingers are within the speedring when installed. Also, you will need a beefy stand for that big of a softbox.

Thanks, I appreciate all the immediate feedback. :D

with the larger modifiers, in addition to using a beefier stand and sandbags, I find it easier to place the softbox face down on the floor, attach the Alien Bee or Einstein securely, verify verify, trust but verify, and then lift it up and mount the light to the stand, attach power cord, etc.

BDP,

Thats exactly what I did, I assembled the box (which is a beast, its amazingly large yet easy to put together) and attached the AB head to the box and then to the stand. I have a few flimsy stands as I mentioned and am now shopping for a more substantial stand and hopefully a boom arm. I'd rather not break the bank. :?

Everyone says Avenger stands are the way to go, but I can't exactly afford $300+ on a stand at the moment.

What stand you buy completely varies by what you do. Having a studio versus having to travel makes a big difference. I need portable equipment so space, portability, and weight are all factors. I own four Manfrotto 1004BAC's. They fold flat, stack, weigh under 6lbs each, and hold up to 19.8lbs according to spec. I am sure tech support can be more specific, but the heaviest combination of light modifier + light that PCB, Inc makes is probably going to be around 12lbs.

They work great for me. I even have a boom arm (Manfrotto 024B) I use on occasion, but you have to be more careful as you can easily go over weight spec. I just never use the boom arm at full extension and make sure my stand is sandbagged like I am waiting for the next big flood.