How I Mounted a Softbox to my CoolLights LED256 at DVinfo.net

Dan Brockett · December 1st, 2009, 01:37 PM

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

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/picture.ph...pictureid=2147
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/picture.ph...pictureid=2148
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/picture.ph...pictureid=2149
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/picture.ph...pictureid=2150
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/picture.ph...pictureid=2151
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/picture.ph...pictureid=2152
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/picture.ph...pictureid=2153

Jeff Anselmo · December 1st, 2009, 04:23 PM

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,

Richard Andrewski · December 1st, 2009, 05:36 PM

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.

Jeff Anselmo · December 1st, 2009, 05:50 PM

Hi Richard,

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

Best,

Richard Andrewski · December 1st, 2009, 05:53 PM

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for that. Looking forward to helping out.

Francois Xavier · December 2nd, 2009, 03:43 PM

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?

Dan Brockett · December 2nd, 2009, 11:50 PM

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

December 1st, 2009, 01:37 PM	#1
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	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 http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/picture.ph...pictureid=2147 http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/picture.ph...pictureid=2148 http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/picture.ph...pictureid=2149 http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/picture.ph...pictureid=2150 http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/picture.ph...pictureid=2151 http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/picture.ph...pictureid=2152 http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/picture.ph...pictureid=2153

December 1st, 2009, 04:23 PM	#2
Jeff Anselmo Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 566	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, __________________ --JA

December 1st, 2009, 05:36 PM	#3
Richard Andrewski Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Shenzhen, China Posts: 781	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. __________________ Richard Andrewski - Cool Lights USA - RED #114 http://www.coollights.biz

December 1st, 2009, 05:50 PM	#4
Jeff Anselmo Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 566	Hi Richard, Hope to email you soon to discuss your LED lights :) Best, __________________ --JA

December 1st, 2009, 05:53 PM	#5
Richard Andrewski Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Shenzhen, China Posts: 781	Hi Jeff, Thanks for that. Looking forward to helping out. __________________ Richard Andrewski - Cool Lights USA - RED #114 http://www.coollights.biz

December 2nd, 2009, 03:43 PM	#6
Francois Xavier Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lausanne, Switzerland Posts: 25	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?

December 2nd, 2009, 11:50 PM	#7
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	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