Portable battery flash has revolutionised the way many photographers work, especially since the introduction of the compact lithium-ion (Li-on) battery.
If you own a Speedlite or the any of the new generation of small portable battery flash such as the Pixapro LI-ON580 MkII, PIKA 200 or Hybrid 360 (Godox V860II, AD200 and AD360), sooner or later you’ll want to mount your flash to a light stand and use light modifiers or shapers.
Bowens S-Type SMART Speedlite Adaptor Bracket
One option is to use the Pixapro SMART Speedlite Adaptor (Godox Speedlite Bracket) which features and standard ⅝” female light stand receptor and a clamp to secure the flash in place. The Speedlite adaptor is available to fit both Bowens S-Type & Elinchrom EL soft box & modifier fittings; the outer ring fits the majority of pop-up soft boxes and umbrellas with shafts up to 8mm are accommodated with a secure locking screw.
Elinchrom EL SMART Speedlite Adaptor Bracket – this one has been sprayed white as part of my testing to improve output efficiency
When mounting your bare bulb flash in the bracket you’ll notice a gap between the flash tube and mount – with a Speedlite this isn’t too much of an issue as the fresnel lens of a Speedlite projects the light forward, rather than spreading it as bare build flash does. This gap between the mount & flash tube with bare bulb flash i.e. PIKA200 & Hybrid 360 results in light loss or inefficiency.
PIKA200 pocket flash in 60cm Portable beauty dish
PIKA200 pocket flash in 60cm Portable beauty dish with 115mm Quickbox adaptor as reflective backing plate creating a continuous reflective surface
PIKA200 with SMART Speedlite Adaptor & 60cm portable beauty dish
This inefficiency can be eliminated by using a Hybrid360 Quickbox Adapter Ring which is attached to the flash unit once mounted in the bracket. This eliminates any loss of light to the rear of the bracket/modifier & concentrates the light emitted in the modifier which can result in a ⅔ stop* gain in output.
Elinchrom Portalite 56cm Octa Soft Box with PIKA200
One of my favourite portable light modifiers is the Elinchrom 56cm Portalite Octa – despite the size it packs down to about 10″ x 8″ x 1.5″!
Also works with Elinchrom Rotalux soft boxes (low-res phone image!)
With the EL Bracket you can use Elinchrom Portalite & Rotalux soft boxes, plus other more specialised accessories such as the MiniSpot Lite gobo projector with the new generation of portable battery flash!
Elinchrom Mini Spot Lite gobo projection accessory with PIKA200 (low quality mobile phone snaps combined with a phone app!)
The addition of a subtle gobo effect adds depth and separation to portraits
When using umbrellas with the SMART Speedlite Bracket it’s recommended to use the 120º reflector as a spill-kill to keep the flash beam inside the circumference of the umbrella.
PIKA200 pocket flash with 14cm Hybrid 360 umbrella reflector & reflective umbrella
When using a pop-up soft box I prefer a bare bulb flash as the light is distributed in the soft box evenly, rather than projected from the fresnel lens in front of the linear flash tube and then partially reflected back from the diffusion material – see my blog for further information.
60 x 60cm Easy Open pop-up soft box – notice the area around the flash tube lacking reflective material
Add a Quickbox Adaptor to create a continuous reflective area and improve efficiency
When used with the SMART Speedlite Adaptor pop-up soft boxes fit over the outer circumference of the clamp bracket
In conclusion – by using the Hybrid360 Quickbox Adapter Ring (Outside the UK) you create a continuous reflective area inside the flash modifer/shaper when using mounting your flash with the SMART Speedlite Adaptor bracket and increase output by approximately ⅔ stop.
The Speedlite Adaptor bracket is a versatile accessory which no user of Pixapro or Godox portable battery flash should be without. I have three as one is never enough. I now use portable battery flash in the studio as well as on location assignments – battery flash in the studio is easier to handle and there are no trailing cables – plus they are lighter and smaller than most equivalent mains flash or strobes.
My thanks to Yang Wu, Ling Tan & team at Pixapro for providing such great service.
About the Author
Ian Pack is a commercial advertising and portrait photographer based in Sussex, England. He is the creator of The SPIG 1420 VAL spigot. Ian also teaches 1-2-1 and small group photography and lighting sessions through Essential Photo. You can find out more about Ian on his website or join his Facebook lighting group, The LIGHT Side. This article was also published here and shared with permission.
