Does anyone have tips on keeping a large softbox on an Alien Bee?

[Sherman79]

I recently bought a 30x60 paul c buff softbox for my ab 1600. First time out on the field it fell down and broke my modeling lamp. I asked customer service about it, and they said to make sure the prongs were in the speedring. That was real helpful... Anyways does anyone have any tips? It seems like the prongs are maybe too flat because the weight of the softbox keeps shifting the light forward, and eventually the softbox detaches from the speed ring. Heeeeeelp!!! I have a real important shoot today, but I don't want to be embarrassed!

[David Whatley]

Try using a bungee cord from the top of the speed ring, over the case to the back and down to the stand to take some of the weight of the prongs. I always lay a larger softbox down on the floor and attach the light, Makes it easier, at least for me.

[d2creative]

Are your prongs bent? I haven't had any problems with my large buff octobox on the bees.

[stephenpinn]

I havent had any trouble keeping large octaboxes on AB flashes. With a large modifier it is sometimes hard to get all the locking fingers to engage, I have had that problem before, but that was an issue with me and not the ptoduct.

[Dobick]

If the softbox is coming loose from the speedring, then it sounds like you are not getting the rods seated into the speedring deep enough. Once you get it assembled, try and press down on the speed ring with the soft box laying flat on the floor, so that the rods flex some.

[Sherman79]

Thanks all, I talked to AB cust service, and they think my prongs are defective. I'm going to bungee it for the rest of the week, and then send it in next week for repairs. It's under warranty so I'm glad it's covered. I bought the AB used, and had been using a westcott apollo, and a parabolic, so I didn't know I had a problem with the prongs until I tried the larger softbox. Unfortunately it did come down again, on my first cover shoot. But thank God my assistant was up there on a chair next to my boom, because I never trusted it. He caught it and saved me the embarrassment.

I really appreciate the feedback. I truly love this forum.

[StevenGWebb]

Might you update us on what PCB came up with as the resolution?