How I Mounted a Softbox to my CoolLights LED256
 

Hi all:

Yes, I am at it again. I just like my CoolLights LED256 so much that I had to figure out a way to mount a softbox to it. I did the same with my LED600s, creating a custom speedring for a medium Chimera but the LED256 is much smaller and lighter so it needed a smaller, lighter softbox.

Fortunately, I had an extra Photoflex Litedome Q3-9 strobe softbox laying around from my still photo kit. This is a 15.5" x 11"5" cheap strobe box. It is a really cheap and flimsy softbox that is designed to only work with strobes. With tungsten lights, you would never even consider using this sort of cheap softbox, it would melt. Same with the speed ring, it is made out of plastic, not metal. The LED256 doesn't seem to really generate much heat so I thought that using this softbox might actually work.

I was able to hack together a mount system using various bits and pieces I had laying around the office to make the softbox to LED256. The 1/4" 20 to 5/8" stand adapter that ships with the LED256 is fortunately tapped with a female 1/4" 20 inlet. I rigged up the softbox so that it would thread straight into the inlet on the stand mount that comes with the LED256. There is a nice gap of around .5" between the edge of the speed ring and the face of the LED256 so that there will be no heat buildup. The resulting light quality is much softer and has more wrap than the stock LED256 features. This will be a great light for events or even an interview in a pinch.

Enjoy!

Dan

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Hi Dan,

Very "cool" set up :)

We're really thinking of getting Richard's LED light kits, but would be really nice if they had a soft box option. (Or does he have one and I just don't know about? If not, when can you start selling these :)

Best,

Dan,

Good work on that! Seems like you've been having fun again at some DIY. That's a great idea and I saw another softbox mounted similarly once but had forgotten about it. The thing I like about that idea is it puts no strain at all on the parts of the stand adapter that have to hold angle. Should be very easy to adapt that way. I was thinking about something that would slide down into the barndoor accessory holder like on the LED 600 one we just did but your idea may be better for the LED 256.


Jeff,

I answered on the other thread where you commented and yes we do have a softbox for the larger unit. Thanks for your interest.

Hi Richard,

Hope to email you soon to discuss your LED lights :)

Best,

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for that. Looking forward to helping out.

Well done!
I always wanted to do that with a 1x1' Litepanel, would you have an idea of what softbox could be made to work with it?

Hi Francois:

I have never worked with the 1x1 LitePanels, only their on-camera lights. I am sure that there is some way to affix a softbox to it, it just takes some strategic mindset. With both the 600 and the 256, I was able to look at the fixture and divine what mounting options were available or which ones I had to create myself.

Dan