What Mounting Systems Are Common for Quick Softboxes?

Softboxes are indispensable tools for shaping and softening light. Softboxes transform harsh, direct flashes into flattering, diffused illumination, essential for everything from portraits to product photography.

However, a common point of confusion for many photographers, especially those new to studio lighting, revolves around softbox mounting systems. You've got your light, you've got your softbox, but how do they connect seamlessly?

Understanding the various mounting systems is not just about compatibility; it's about unlocking versatility, protecting your investment, and ensuring a smooth workflow on set.

The Bowens Mount

When discussing softbox mounting systems, one name consistently rises to the top: the Bowens mount. Its widespread adoption has made it the de facto industry standard, a true workhorse embraced by countless lighting manufacturers and photographers worldwide. The Bowens mount features a bayonet-style connection, characterized by three prongs that twist and lock into place, providing a secure and stable attachment for modifiers.

The prevalence of the Bowens mount isn't accidental. It's a testament to its robust design, ease of use, and, crucially, its open-source nature, which has allowed a vast ecosystem of compatible accessories to flourish. Brands like Westcott and Godox, among many others, extensively utilize the Bowens mount for their lighting equipment and modifiers. This means that if you invest in a Bowens-mount flash head, you have access to an almost limitless array of softboxes, beauty dishes, snoots, and other light shapers from various manufacturers. This interoperability is a massive advantage, offering photographers unparalleled choice and flexibility without being locked into a single brand's ecosystem.

For instance, many speedlight brackets, such as the popular Godox S2 bracket, are designed with a Bowens mount receiver. This allows photographers to attach their smaller, more portable speedlights to larger, studio-grade Bowens-mount softboxes, effectively bridging the gap between on-camera flash and studio lighting.

This adaptability makes the Bowens mount an excellent starting point for anyone building their lighting kit, as it provides a solid foundation for future expansion and ensures compatibility across a wide range of gear.

Its simple yet effective locking mechanism ensures that even large softboxes remain securely attached, providing peace of mind during busy shoots. The sheer volume of third-party accessories and modifiers available for Bowens mount lights means that photographers can always find the perfect light-shaping tool for their specific needs, often at competitive prices, further cementing its status as the industry's most common and versatile mounting system.

Do Wescott Lights Use Bowens Mount?

Yes, many Westcott lights and modifiers are designed to be compatible with the widely used Bowens S-type mount. This is a significant advantage for photographers as it allows them to use a vast array of light modifiers from various manufacturers, not just Westcott's own line.

Specifically, Westcott's popular FJ400 and FJ800 strobes, for example, natively feature the Bowens S-type mount, enabling direct attachment of Bowens-mount softboxes, reflectors, snoots, and other accessories. Westcott also offers "Switch" inserts and mounts, such as those for their Optical Spot, Rapid Box Switch, and Beauty Dish Switch modifiers, which allow these modifiers to be used with Bowens-mount lights.

While some smaller Westcott lights like the L60-B might use a proprietary "Mini mount," Westcott often provides adapters or "Switch Inserts" to bridge the gap and maintain compatibility with the broader Bowens ecosystem. 

When Brands Go Their Own Way

While the Bowens mount enjoys widespread dominance, several prominent lighting manufacturers opt for their own proprietary mounting systems. These systems are typically designed to offer seamless integration within their specific product lines, often boasting unique features or enhanced durability tailored to their high-end equipment.

Profoto, a name synonymous with professional-grade lighting, utilizes its own distinct mounting system. Known for their exceptional build quality, precise light control, and advanced features, Profoto lights and modifiers are designed to work flawlessly together within their closed ecosystem.

While this means Profoto modifiers are generally not directly compatible with Bowens-mount lights (and vice-versa), it ensures optimal performance and reliability for users who commit to the Profoto brand.

Photographers who invest in Profoto often prioritize the brand's reputation for consistency, power, and durability, making the proprietary mount a non-issue as they typically purchase Profoto modifiers to match their Profoto lights. The design often allows for quick and secure attachment, reflecting the demands of fast-paced professional environments.

Similarly, Alienbee (from Paul C. Buff) and Elinchrom each employ their unique mounting mechanisms. Alienbee lights feature a four-pronged bayonet mount, distinct from Bowens, while Elinchrom utilizes a system with a central locking pin and a unique bayonet design.

These proprietary systems are developed to integrate perfectly with their respective flash heads, ensuring specific alignment and secure attachment. For photographers who have built their lighting kit around these brands, their proprietary mounts offer reliability and a tailored fit.

However, for those looking to mix and match equipment from different manufacturers, these systems can present compatibility challenges, often necessitating the use of adapter rings or specialized speed rings to achieve cross-brand functionality. The choice to use a proprietary system often stems from a desire to control the user experience, ensure product integrity, and potentially offer unique features that wouldn't be possible with a generic mount.

The primary advantage of proprietary systems lies in their optimized integration and often superior build quality for their specific brand. However, the trade-off is often reduced cross-compatibility and potentially higher costs for modifiers. This is where the concept of adaptable softboxes and speed rings becomes incredibly valuable, offering a bridge between different mounting philosophies.

Speed Rings and Their Inserts

This is where the true magic of Cheetah Stand softboxes versatility comes into play. While many softboxes are designed with a default mount, such as the ubiquitous Bowens, the beauty of modern softbox design lies in their adaptability. This adaptability is primarily facilitated by the "speed ring setup."

A speed ring is essentially the backbone of a softbox, providing the structural frame that holds the softbox fabric taut and allows it to attach to a light source. The crucial component of many speed rings is an interchangeable insert. This means that a single softbox can be made compatible with a multitude of different lighting brands simply by swapping out a small, inexpensive metal ring.

Consider a scenario where you've invested in a high-quality softbox, but you own lights from different manufacturers – perhaps a Bowens-mount strobe for studio work and an Elinchrom light for location shoots. Instead of buying two separate softboxes, you can simply change the speed ring insert.

This is where products like the Quick Series Speed Ring Insert become invaluable. This particular insert is designed for quick and easy changes, allowing photographers to swiftly adapt their softboxes to various light brands without fumbling with complex mechanisms. Its design emphasizes speed and efficiency, which is critical during a busy photoshoot.

By simply removing the existing insert and clicking in the appropriate Quick Series insert, your softbox is instantly ready for a different light, whether it's a Profoto, Elinchrom, Alienbee, or even a specific Godox mount. This system significantly extends the utility of your softboxes, making them a more flexible and long-term investment.

Another example of this adaptability is the 152mm Speed Ring Insert. While the Quick Series insert focuses on ease of change across different brands.  Also, the 144mm Speed Ring insert will be used on our Focus Series Softboxes which can also adapt to many different brands of lights.

The concept is straightforward: the softbox itself has a universal attachment point for the speed ring. The speed ring then has an inner ring, or "insert," that is specifically machined to fit a particular light mount (e.g., Bowens, Profoto, Elinchrom).

This modular design is a game-changer for photographers, offering immense cost savings and reducing the amount of gear needed. It also simplifies logistics, as you don't need to carry multiple softboxes for different lights; you just need the appropriate speed ring inserts.

This flexibility is particularly beneficial for rental houses, studios with diverse equipment, or photographers who frequently collaborate and need to adapt to different gear. The ease with which these inserts can be replaced means less downtime and more time focusing on capturing the perfect shot.

Godox Mount vs Bowens Mount

It's important to address a specific point of confusion that often arises with Godox products. While Godox is a major proponent and user of the Bowens mount for many of its strobes and modifiers, they also have their own proprietary mount for a subset of their lighting equipment.

This can be a source of frustration if not understood clearly. For example, some smaller Godox flashes or specific modifiers might feature a proprietary Godox mount that is not the same as the standard Bowens mount. This means a softbox designed for a Bowens mount will not directly fit a Godox light that uses its proprietary mount, and vice-versa. 

The key takeaway here is to always double-check the specific mount type of your Godox light and the modifier you intend to purchase. While the vast majority of Godox studio strobes (like the Godox AD600 series or the Godox MS series) are Bowens mount, some of their smaller, more portable units or unique accessories might use their dedicated mount.

This distinction is crucial for avoiding compatibility issues and ensuring that your softboxes and modifiers can be securely attached to your Godox lighting equipment. When in doubt, consulting the product specifications or reaching out to the manufacturer is always the best course of action. This nuance underscores the importance of being meticulous when expanding your lighting setup.

In the world of studio lighting, the mount system on your light determines the compatibility with a vast array of light modifiers like softboxes, beauty dishes, and snoots. Two prominent players in this arena are the Bowens Mount and the Godox Mount. While the Bowens Mount has long been the industry standard, Godox, a major lighting manufacturer, has introduced its own proprietary mount, primarily seen on its newer, high-end LED lights.

The Bowens S-Type Mount is ubiquitous, known for its simple twist-and-lock mechanism. Its widespread adoption means a vast selection of modifiers from various manufacturers are readily available, offering unparalleled versatility and often, cost-effectiveness. Photographers and videographers often choose lights with a Bowens mount due to this extensive compatibility, ensuring they can easily find the perfect light shaper for any creative need.

The Godox Mount, sometimes referred to as the "G-Mount" (particularly on their KNOWLED series), is Godox's newer, larger mount system. While it shares the familiar twist-and-lock design, its larger size is engineered to handle the substantial construction of professional-grade LED lights, potentially leading to better light efficiency and modifier performance tailored to specific Godox units. A significant advantage of the Godox Mount is the inclusion of electrical contacts. These contacts allow the modifier to communicate with the light, enabling features like automatic light shutdown when a modifier is removed and automatic color compensation for any shift introduced by the modifier. This can streamline workflows and ensure color accuracy.

For users of Godox's smaller, more portable lights that utilize a native Godox mount (distinct from the G-Mount), adapters are available to convert them to Bowens mount compatibility, bridging the gap and allowing access to the broader range of Bowens modifiers. However, these adapters might add length or bulk to the setup.

The Godox Mount, particularly the G-Mount, offers specialized integration and intelligent features with specific Godox lights, potentially optimizing performance for those dedicated systems. The choice between them often depends on your existing gear, specific lighting needs, and desire for advanced integrated features.

Choosing the Right Mount System for Your Needs

Navigating the landscape of softbox mounting systems can seem daunting, but by understanding the core principles, you can make informed decisions that benefit your photography journey. Here are key factors to consider:

1. Your Existing Gear: If you already own a specific brand of lighting like Godox or Wescott, it often makes sense to stick with that brand's ecosystem or invest in softboxes that are natively compatible with your existing mounts (e.g., if you have Bowens-mount strobes, prioritize Bowens-mount softboxes).

2. Budget: Proprietary systems, especially from high-end brands, can sometimes mean higher costs for modifiers. The widespread availability of Bowens-mount accessories often translates to more competitive pricing and a broader range of options.

3. Future Expansion: Consider your long-term photography goals. Do you anticipate expanding into different lighting brands? If so, investing in adaptable softboxes with interchangeable speed ring inserts will provide the most flexibility and save you money in the long run.

4. Type of Photography: For studio photographers who rarely move their setup, a dedicated, robust proprietary system might be ideal. For on-location photographers who need to be agile and adaptable, the versatility offered by interchangeable speed rings is a significant advantage.

5. Ease of Use: While all mounting systems are designed for secure attachment, some offer quicker and more intuitive locking mechanisms than others. For fast-paced shoots, ease of attachment and detachment can be a critical factor.

Ultimately, the "right" mounting system is the one that best fits your current equipment, your budget, and your workflow. The good news is that with the prevalence of the Bowens mount and the increasing availability of adaptable softboxes and speed ring inserts, photographers have more options than ever to create a versatile and efficient lighting setup.

Maintaining Your Softbox System

To ensure the longevity and smooth operation of your softbox mounting systems, a little care goes a long way:

·        Keep it Clean: Regularly wipe down the mounting surfaces of both your lights and your speed rings to remove dust, grit, and debris. This prevents scratching and ensures a smooth, secure connection.

·        Inspect for Damage: Periodically check the prongs, bayonet fittings, and locking mechanisms for any signs of wear, bending, or damage. A damaged mount can lead to instability or even damage to your light or softbox.

·        Lubrication (Sparingly): For bayonet mounts, a tiny amount of dry lubricant (like silicone spray, applied to a cloth first, then wiped on) can help ensure smooth rotation and prevent sticking, but avoid over-lubrication, which can attract dust.

·        Proper Storage: When not in use, store softboxes and speed rings in their protective bags or cases to prevent them from getting bent or damaged.

Key Takeaways

Understanding softbox mounting systems is a fundamental aspect of mastering artificial lighting. While the Bowens mount stands out as the most common and versatile due to its widespread adoption and open ecosystem, proprietary systems from brands like Profoto, Alienbee, and Elinchrom offer tailored integration within their specific product lines.

The true game-changer for photographers seeking maximum flexibility lies in the adaptable nature of modern softboxes, which, through the use of interchangeable speed ring inserts like the Quick Series Speed Ring Insert and the 152mm SpeedRing Mounts, allow a single softbox to be used across a variety of lighting brands.

Remember the crucial distinction with Godox's own proprietary mounts versus their Bowens-compatible offerings.  By carefully considering your needs and leveraging the adaptability available, you can build a lighting setup that is both efficient and future-proof, empowering you to shape light with confidence and creativity.