Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Question about using my speedring with the Einstein E640 v2. I have a speedring that I bought on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002T4 ... d_i=507846) just because I was able to get it quicker, but from the picture it looks identical to the Paul Buff Rotating Speed Ring LGSR. It is made by ePhoto, Inc (model SB1001SRWL). When mounted on the Einstein the fingers grip tightly, but I have noticed that the release lever only returns back up 50%.

1.) Is this normal?
2.) Does the PCB LGSR speedring also only allow the fingers to return half way up?
3.) If I leave the speedring/medium softbox mounted on the Einstein indefinitely will this cause damage to the finger's spring mechanism because it is not returning all of the way up?

I appreciate your help because I'm just not sure if there is a better way to do this.

Some speedrings have an internal diameter bigger than the PCB rings. The Einstein fingers can't extend all the way to locking positions w/ these. It's best to return them and get others that fit properly...

agreed. Either that or use a carbon blade on a dremmel tool to remove some metal at the respective contact points of the fingers on the einstein, but that is a messy diy mod.

return the speed ring as it will save you quite a bit of time.

Fair enough- that is what I will do. This leads me to two more questions.

1.) How far back should the release lever travel back with a modifier in place? With a reflector it travels back about 75%. Is that how it should be?

2.) This may be more a question for someone working at PCB, but is the PCB LGSR speedring something that will continue to be available since it is shown to be compatible only with retired products? I will order a couple tomorrow but wandering if I will have trouble using non- PCB brand softboxes in the future if stock on these rings dwindle down.

Sorry, I guess one more question still.

3.) Are there other brands of rings that are known to work well also with the Einstein- just in case?

Thanks for the help and advice!

Returing to 50%, or just past, is not abnormal. It will not automatically infer the modifier will not hold. The mounting fingers have been designed to hold most variations of the Balcar/Buff interface. If you find it is not holding contact customer support and we will determine the best course of action to resolve this issue.

FWIW, I've used two successfully w/ the Einstein:
- the Aurora speedring (it's an insert w/ lots of holes fo strips, octas, etc. with a Balcar insert)...a company in Chicago sells them along w/ Aurora softboxes
- the SP Studio Balcar insert w/ the Bowens Quickring

If you've never tried a Quickring, go order one! I used to swear at regular softboxes whenever I had to put them together or tear them down. This thing makes setup/teardown of them nearly as easy as the PCB foldables. The only weird part is it takes inserts that are slightly smaller in outer diameter than regular ones. The SP Studio one is one that does fit it. Only negative w/ the Quickring is that it doesn't support octaboxes.

I have looked high and low and the only Aurora products I can find are softboxes for small camera flashes...no speedrings or inserts from them. Do you recall teh name of the place you got them from?

As far as the Bowens QuickRing- I am ordering a one of those as well. I have never had much problem with small or medium softboxes being assembled/disassembled but the large ones are a killer and I am anxious to give that a try. Thanks for the help and suggestions!

I was just on the web site a few weeks ago but can't remember the name of it.
Hopefully someone from Chicago will remember the name of it. They're the only place to get Aurora softboxes/speedrings in the US. Even the distributor (Pakor) listed on Aurora's site doesn't list Aurora stuff...that's terrible distribution :-P

I use Photoflex speed rings and find them satifactory.

RMS

Here is a link to one dealer of Aurora products. I am linking the speedring, but if you contact them, they may sell you just the insert: http://www.tallyns.com/tpp/amazing/itemdesc.asp?ic=SRBA&eq=&Tp=