Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I just purchased and tried to install the 30X60 softbox on the B1600. The speed ring attaches easily enough but it appears to barely support the weight. Is this normal?

Is there a way to better support the softbox?

I'm concerned that the speed ring will detach from the B1600 and break the bulbs.

It is normal for a 1/8" gap at the top of where the speedring meets the front face. The shape of the fingers are designed to allow a variations of the shape of modifiers across various brands, so there is a little play. However, they are also shaped to not release when a properly installed softbox is mounted. Just make sure all four fingers are installed before you rely on them to support the box. We typically recommend laying the softbox face down, and lowering the light into it.

Thanks for the reply. I also have the 10X36 and 24X36 and they have the 1/8" gap, but the 30X60 has a larger gap and when you look inside it is barely hanging on with the top fingers. It seems heavy enough that it even looks like it spreads the fingers a bit.

I figured others who have this softbox might have noticed the same thing and figured out a way to make it more secure. Not only am I worried about it damaging the light but this softbox will hanging close to some very expensive cars.

I will try placing the softbox on the floor and then installing the light into it.

If you do mount it with the light on a stand, don't let the weight of the softbox rest on the fingers before they are released. The weight may keep the fingers from expanding and may keep them in a partially retracted state. While still uncommon, this would be a better scenario for a box to fall.

I mounted the light to the softbox the way that you recommended, didn't really seem to make a difference and unfortunately it came off, fortunately it didn't damage anything.

It seems that this softbox is too heavy for this light/speed ring attachment. I'm working in close proximity to very expensive objects, and people for that matter, and as much as I like all of my AB equipment I don't trust this softbox to stay in place, how can I solve this issue?

Is there an adjustment for the calming ring to make it tighter?

It sounds like the accessory grip is out of spec on that light. Contact customer service for assistance in a warranty resolution.

Is the accessory grip the same on all models? I have an AB800 and AB400 as well I can try this softbox with if they are.

Yes, all Alien Bees have the same mounting system.

If you're not averse to using other brand large softboxes or octas, look for speedrings that attach to your lightstand....something like this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/8 ... _Ring.html

You can then just hang the AB onto to speedring instead of hanging the weight of the softbox off the grip fingers.
It's the safer thing to do...Mola's big beauty dishes also have this concept..they mount onto a lightstand and then you hang your strobe onto the dish.

If you're going to keep using the AB one, you might want to run some braided fishing line or some metal safety cable through the speedring and onto your stand in case it does fall so you don't damage any cars...

Thanks for the replies, I've been busy shooting cars..

I tried attaching this large softbox to the AB800 and although it wasn't as "loose" as the AB1600 it still spread the fingers of the accessory grip almost as much. It appears to me that this softbox is too heavy for the accessory grip on these lights so I'm not sure there'd be much benefit of returning it under warranty.

I like the idea of mounting the speed ring to the stand instead of the light, will that speed ring work with these soft boxes?

Does Paul C. Buff offer this kind of attachment?

With this one exception I've been really happy with these lights, I just need to find a workable solution.