Quadra reflector adaptor tip

During our stay in the states I’m joined by several guestbloggers to keep you guys getting the daily dose of information, today a quick tip by Erik Schimmel.

 

Alternative use of the Quadra Reflector Adapter RQ-EL
Quick tip for owners of a Quadra Reflector adapter and a Nikon SB900.

 

Some time ago, by chance or inquisitive nature, I found an additional use of the Quadra Reflector adapter (QRA) I’d like to share. I was trying to find a way to use one of my speedlights in a soft box. I own a Lastolite Ezybox, but I’ve never been really happy with it. So I was searching for an alternative. The Nikon SB900 can be inserted in the QRA and with a bit of gentle force, it can be wedged in very tight.

 After being a bit hesitant at first, I found out that the flash actually held very well. Mounting it this way also leaves enough room to attach the plastic wide angle diffuser to the SB900, simulating a bare bulb flash. Now I was able to mount any Elinchrom compatible modifier.

An additional bonus for use with the Nikon CLS system is the ability to rotate the infra red sensor in any direction. This is a real plus to keep line of sight, required by this otherwise great flash control system. I found this to be very useful on occasions, when needing a small fill or accent light. Most of the time I use it for very quick, one light location set ups. But of course when adding a Skyport or setting the flash to SU4 mode, it can be integrated into any set up.

I hope this little trick can be of use to those owning the QRA and a SB900. Not owning other brands of hot shoe flash, I have not tested other configurations. I know the SB600 & SB800 are too small. But maybe with some added filling material it could work for other flashes as well.

 

(Note; the QRA adapter shown is a modified and reinforced version, the bottom part is swapped from a Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter)

 

Erik Schimmel – Image-Expeditions.com

 

7 replies
  1. Rob ter Bekke
    Rob ter Bekke says:

    Hi Frank, I use this the same way with my Canon 580EX II with the OmniBounce mounted. Works like a charm. Also the Portalite 40×40 softbox for the Quadra is an ideal lightweight softbox to use with Speedlites. Fits exactly like the Quadra adapter.

  2. Mazhar Basa
    Mazhar Basa says:

    Hi Frank,

    You mentioned that you’ve never been really happy Lastolite Ezybox, can I ask why? I also have one, it does not have attachable grid and leaks some light from behind. But it works quite nice for me. Maybe it is why I am not a pro 🙂

    Next question if about the beauty dish 🙂 I heard that it is not possible to get the real performance of beauty dish from speedlights. Because the mechanics of beauty dish requires the circular flash bulb of studio flashes that is directly exposed into the dish. But I see that the plastic diffuser more or less does the same purpose. What is your opinion about it? 

    I am just an amateur so studio flashes are too unnecessary for me. But I am really interested in using a beauty dish with speedlights if it really works.

    • Brendan Maunder
      Brendan Maunder says:

      Mazhar.

      Although I havn’t used a speedlight as described above in a beauty dish I understand what you are saying.  

      A speedlight does not have the power of a studio strobe and using it in the fashion will decrease the output of such a light and as you mentioned the speedlites are rectangular in shape and I would suspect that they would put out a light that was not even if used in this way.

      I guess the answer for me would come back to the quality of light and the money you want to spend. If you want the power and best quality of light then you are going to have to spend the money.  If you don’t mind the lack of power and don’t overly care about the quality of light then don’t spend the money.

      If I didnt already have quadra I would try this out and see if it worked under the situations that you find yourself in.

    • Anders C. Madsen
      Anders C. Madsen says:

       I don’t think that the rectangular form of a speedlite will be a problem with a beauty dish since a) you are using the diffuser to throw light everywhere and b) the light first hit a small reflector that bounces it back into the dish.

      Power may be an issue, though – although beauty dishes tend to be used pretty close to the subject.

      Thye rectangular shape could theoretically be a problem when using a grid mounted directly on the speedlite, but my experience is that the shape of the grid cells more or less determines the shape of the light pool you see, so as long as the grid has circular holes you are generally going to be OK.

    • Brendan Maunder
      Brendan Maunder says:

      I should give it a try one day and do a comparison against the Quadra.  

    • Frank Doorhof
      Frank Doorhof says:

      Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with it. I’m just a very “strange” person when it comes to traveling and setting up gear, I hate it when it takes in a lot room, or when I have to set it up.

      With the flash benders I’m incredibly flexible and I can change looks on the spot without changing modifiers, that’s what I like about it. Going from soft to a spot in seconds.

Comments are closed.