Elinchrom Softbox Hoods/Grids

[Livin The Dream]

One of the obvious drawbacks to Elinchrom soft boxes is the extortionate cost of grids, either their own limited options or a 3rd party such as Light tools. I use other makes of softbox if I need a grid but I do feather quite a lot and wondered whether the hooded diffusers are worth the investment. Any users past or present?

 

[simonbarker]

It gets worse, on some of them you have to disassemble the softbox to fit the grid/hood meaning the main advantage of the Rotalux design is lost completely.

I know it's strictly not what you asked but I came to the conclusion that despite my like for the Rotalux system it's going to cost more money than alternatives and they don't seem to be interested in addressing these shortcomings.

 

[Livin The Dream]

It gets worse, on some of them you have to disassemble the softbox to fit the grid/hood meaning the main advantage of the Rotalux design is lost completely.

I know it's strictly not what you asked but I came to the conclusion that despite my like for the Rotalux system it's going to cost more money than alternatives and they don't seem to be interested in addressing these shortcomings.

What have you opted for Simon? I’ve got some
lencarta and Bessel too but I prefer the Rotalux, just feel slightly better made. But then they’re all a lot of money for what they actually are.

Did look at the profoto last year but silly money and the quality difference is negligible, certainly didn’t warrant a change. I like the Rotalux but they are limited.

 

[simonbarker]

What have you opted for Simon? I’ve got some
lencarta and Bessel too but I prefer the Rotalux, just feel slightly better made. But then they’re all a lot of money for what they actually are.

Did look at the profoto last year but silly money and the quality difference is negligible, certainly didn’t warrant a change. I like the Rotalux but they are limited.

Profoto but not because they're especially good, they simply had the sizes I wanted, I could source them cheaply (even new they're mid price). They're also well supported with grids for each model and replacements should I need them. Ironically I'm replacing most of the Profoto softboxes I use with dedicated heads so the softbox I'll be using the most will be a Bowens Octo 120, when that wears out it'll be a sad day for me with Bowens no longer around.

One of the other reasons I sold my Rotalux softboxes was they're designed to be lightweight with thin materials, great if you're mobile but not so great if you want them to last a long time. Personally I think I'd be happy with almost any brand as long as I can source replacement parts, there's not too many brands that make a terrible softbox these days (some generic Chinese softboxes with bad materials do stand out though).

 

[Livin The Dream]

Profoto but not because they're especially good, they simply had the sizes I wanted, I could source them cheaply (even new they're mid price). They're also well supported with grids for each model and replacements should I need them. Ironically I'm replacing most of the Profoto softboxes I use with dedicated heads so the softbox I'll be using the most will be a Bowens Octo 120, when that wears out it'll be a sad day for me with Bowens no longer around.

One of the other reasons I sold my Rotalux softboxes was they're designed to be lightweight with thin materials, great if you're mobile but not so great if you want them to last a long time. Personally I think I'd be happy with almost any brand as long as I can source replacement parts, there's not too many brands that make a terrible softbox these days (some generic Chinese softboxes with bad materials do stand out though).

For me, one of the strengths is still the speed of assembly. Profoto haven’t a quick assembly option so assumed they would be a faff for on the move?

 

[simonbarker]

For me, one of the strengths is still the speed of assembly. Profoto haven’t a quick assembly option so assumed they would be a faff for on the move?

Yup you're right but photographers tend to be quite particular about how they like things, it makes no difference to me as I can leave mine assembled but I also know some photographers who hate the Rotalux/easy up designs because they take up a lot more room when they're in their bag.

In a similar situation I'd still reason Rotalux is too expensive as a system, if I just wanted one or two softboxes for a specific purpose I'd bear the cost though. Other than that I'd probably look towards Lencarta/Pixapro/Jinbei/Godox easy up designs as it's easy to be forgiving if the price is right.

 

[Livin The Dream]

Yup you're right but photographers tend to be quite particular about how they like things, it makes no difference to me as I can leave mine assembled but I also know some photographers who hate the Rotalux/easy up designs because they take up a lot more room when they're in their bag.

In a similar situation I'd still reason Rotalux is too expensive as a system, if I just wanted one or two softboxes for a specific purpose I'd bear the cost though. Other than that I'd probably look towards Lencarta/Pixapro/Jinbei/Godox easy up designs as it's easy to be forgiving if the price is right.

I’ve got enough variations now to do me, just need a 100x100 to finish up so watching a secondhand one at the mo, should work out about £20 more than a Pixapro but the latter does give a grid option.

 

[rossomck]

I have hooded diffusers on a large deep octa, and the large normal octa. Brilliant - quite a deep recess - mine stay on permanently in the studio, but you do have to take the rods out in order to fit them properly. But definitely recommended

 

[Livin The Dream]

I have hooded diffusers on a large deep octa, and the large normal octa. Brilliant - quite a deep recess - mine stay on permanently in the studio, but you do have to take the rods out in order to fit them properly. But definitely recommended

How large is your normal octa Ross? My biggest is 135.

Ended up buying the 100x100 this week too.

 

[Rack Kit]

One of the obvious drawbacks to Elinchrom soft boxes is the extortionate cost of grids, either their own limited options or a 3rd party such as Light tools. I use other makes of softbox if I need a grid but I do feather quite a lot and wondered whether the hooded diffusers are worth the investment. Any users past or present?

That’s the reason I never bought the grids for my Elinchroms. I have the 100cm deep Octa, the 175cm Octa, & two 50 x130 with hooded diffusers for the 100 & one of the 50 x 130 strips.

I’ve not tried feathering yet & unlikely to do so now with the Elinchroms now I’m in the process of moving over to Profoto. Not that their soft boxes are cheap either.

 

[Phil V]

...

I’ve not tried feathering yet & unlikely to do so now with the Elinchroms now I’m in the process of moving over to Profoto. Not that their soft boxes are cheap either.

Well that make sure sense, invest in loads of overpriced gear rather than investing in practing techniques that’ll improve your photography.

Just kidding... it’s your money - knock yerself out

 

[Rack Kit]

Well that make sure sense, invest in loads of overpriced gear rather than investing in practing techniques that’ll improve your photography.

Just kidding... it’s your money - knock yerself out

Haha! I just never got round to trying feathering. I will be in future though. Only moving on after using the Profoto stuff a few & seeing how fast they recycle, it's hard going back to the slower Elinchroms. No other complaints with them though & do like the Rotolux system for speed of setting up & stripping down. I might even keep them if I can find a decent adapter.

 

[Livin The Dream]

Haven’t noticed my heads being particularly slow tbh. Feather quite regularly without hoods and grids, still possible.