Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I just bought my first boom and was excited to be able to shoot under my AB800 and softbox for straight-on shots without dealing with a stand in my way. I was really disappointed when the stand mount tightening screw on my Bee mounted to the end of the boom wouldn't hold, and the light and softbox would rotate so it was facing straight down instead of angling toward my subject. It didn't matter how much I tightened - even to the point of not being able to loosen it without a bit of effort -- it still rotated down.

Anyone else use the Bees with modifiers on a boom. How do you solve this problem?

That's an issue with using booms and not unique to AB's. You need to get a drop down pin. The pin mounts to the end of the boom... it is hinged and provides a vertical pin to mount your light on. There are several different drop down pins available and you need to get one that works with your boom.

Do a Google image search for "drop down pin" and you'll see how they work.
EDIT: You might as well order a safety cable when you are getting the pin and also make sure to add sandbag the stand.

Thanks PowerEngineer! I knew there had to be a solution! :D

You're welcome. Happy shooting! ;)

Well, I have been using a boom for years and although the downward drift was not a huge problem it did exist. Don't know how I missed ever knowing about a drop down pin. I now have one and it definitely helps- thanks!

As far as a safety cable goes any suggestions on where/how to attach to an Einstein? With no handle to loop through it seems like the options are limited for how to connect it.

Here are a couple of options - viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1584&hilit=washer+safety+cable

I haven't tried the washers yet but they are on my To Do list.

Hmmm- I'll have to see if I can figure something out with that as well. I don't think the fishing line will work for me but maybe the washers. The biggest trick may be finding one that will fit properly. If I can get one to fit in the ratchet handle without hindering it's operation that may just be the solution. Thanks!

Here's what I use. It holds up to 10lbs. It fits perfectly. Priced under $2 at your local home depot. :D

http://www.homedepot.com/Nite-Ize/h_d1/N-25ecodZ5yc1vZ6en/R-202533822/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=carabine&storeId=10051



Conrad