FOBA Baby FOBA

[Nokton48]

New to Me Broncolor Boxlite 40 by Nokton48, on Flickr

This New to Me Broncolor Boxlite 40 just arrived yesterday from a studio in Germany. Plugged her in, and POP POP POP Love it. However, the modeling lights are a different story; they are very dim and deep dark orange in output color. So I guess these are 220V modeling bulbs (take four E14 40W frosted), have not opened it up Yet! Printed out the instruction book, downloaded from Broncolor website. Indeed 220V and 120V bulbs are listed, sooo Ah-Hah. Ordered four 120V Broncolor 40W Boxlite 40 Bulbs, they have two in stock and now shipped, two are being drop-shipped from the supplier. The modification of the mounting apparatus is very interesting, it works fine! Anybody here have input regarding USA Boxlite modeling bulbs? I see some Cheap-Cheap E14's on Amazon, not sure if they are the same thing? So for me best to go through B&H, a trusted Broncolor Dealer of good repute.

 

[Nokton48]

Satco S3381 40W 120V E14 Broncolor Boxlite Bulbs by Nokton48, on Flickr

These are the Broncolor Boxlite 40 Modeling Light Bulbs that arrived yesterday from B&H. I searched the internet, not finding ANYBODY else that has these S3381 Satco Incandescent Bulbs. Looks like they are DISCONTINUED, being replaced with LED equivilents. So I jumped back on B&H and ordered another four of these. So today I have six more of these coming at this point, and I will have four extra for backups/replacements.

BTW the Boxlite 40 is $2836 new from B&H; I paid about $450 including shipping from Germany, which is about 16% of the new cost. Again quite a Broncolor Bonanza as far as I am concerned.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

Satco S3381 40W 120V E14 Broncolor Boxlite Bulbs by Nokton48, on Flickr

These are the Broncolor Boxlite 40 Modeling Light Bulbs that arrived yesterday from B&H. I searched the internet, not finding ANYBODY else that has these S3381 Satco Incandescent Bulbs. Looks like they are DISCONTINUED, being replaced with LED equivilents. So I jumped back on B&H and ordered another four of these. So today I have six more of these coming at this point, and I will have four extra for backups/replacements.

BTW the Boxlite 40 is $2836 new from B&H; I paid about $450 including shipping from Germany, which is about 16% of the new cost. Again quite a Broncolor Bonanza as far as I am concerned.

From bulbs to entire cameras, the technology has changed so rapidly that anyone using even slightly older equipment would be very wise to have spares as backups. And backups for the backups. Ask me why I have two Rolleiflex 6000 series SLRs!

 

[Nokton48]

From bulbs to entire cameras, the technology has changed so rapidly that anyone using even slightly older equipment would be very wise to have spares as backups. And backups for the backups. Ask me why I have two Rolleiflex 6000 series SLRs!

Absolutely.

 

[Nokton48]

Success Boxlite 40 Four 25W Incandescents Modeling Output Satisfactory by Nokton48, on Flickr

Four 120V E14 25W gives satisfactory amount of modeling light, I will use this for creating highlights. More bulbs still coming, but I'm able to use this now. And I like it a lot. Beautiful close-up lighting, Broncolor says you can use this for duping, it's extremely even lighting. So everything I hoped it would be. Using these bulbs means that I can't see the bulbs dim down, it's constant light even when changing the toggle switch. But at 100W this unit is perfectly useable as it is.

 

[Nokton48]

Boxlite 40 Test Floating Glass POL E 3.5 30 Macro 100mm C Planar by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here I am "floating" my most used Hasselblad 100mm F3.5 T* Zeiss Planar. Glass Sweep Table White Seamless Paper Background. A Broncolor Balloon low 45 left, illuminates the background softly and pretty even. Broncolor Boxlite 40 8 inches 45 left, on the glass. A small Silver Mirror on a Gooseneck, provides fill camera right. Nex C3 30mm Macro Lens.

 

[Nokton48]

LED's Installed Broncolor Boxlite 40 Back Panel Ready to Test by Nokton48, on Flickr

New LED's installed in the back of my new to me Broncolor Boxlite 40. Now ready to test. I'm waiting for two more Boxlite 40's to be delivered. If this works AOK cool and bright as well as dimmable, I will order a bunch of spares. With Incandescent lights the Boxlite does get warm to the touch. Might be brighter, maybe?

This was lit from below by a FOBA F1000 Bare Bulb, on my floating glass sweep Table. Broncolor Overhead Hazylight with Diffusion Material from Dick Blick Art Supply. Nex 7 36mp Zeiss Touit F2.8/50 Micro Nikkor Polarizer. White Seamless Paper. I'm using four Machinist's Angle Irons in Larger Size to "float" the product and under light it nicely.

EDIT: The LED Bulbs work brightly, the proportional settings now work perfectly now, and no heat. So just ordered eight more LED bulbs, to upgrade my two additional incoming units.

 

[Nokton48]

Three New to Me Broncolor Boxlite 40s 1600J Recovered two by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here I have all three Broncolor Boxlite 40's up and popping nicely. Still have to figure which modeling bulbs where; the LED 40 Watter definitely "strobes" "flickers" so I think I'll go back to incandescent. I have a ton of 25 watt Incandescents now, so spares should not be a problems. The 40 watt incandescent get kinda warm if running for a while. I did use Pro Gaffers Tape to recover two of the Boxes, the acrylic does crack easily, now taped inside and out so good as new to me.

 

[Nokton48]

Fully Restored Broncolor Boxlite 40 C171 Brackets Broncolor Parts Stands by Nokton48, on Flickr

Just finished restoring these two badly roadbeaten Broncolor Boxlite 40's. Brackets extracted from Broncolor C171 Monolights (tossed out no good) allows swiveling and locking rotation on the back, and is now as it is in the original design. Two different types of modeling bulbs, I loaded up the truck, and am experimenting. All are useable so glad I grabbed some while still available. This shot lit by my Octobox 75 with Primo 1600J Head, and supplemental diffusion on the front of the Octobox. Really loving this Octobox 75, and also now 60x60 Broncolor Square Softbox.

The top unit is running 25W Incandescent bulbs. The bottom unit is running four 40W Incandescent 'spensive Broncolor Incandescents. For close work the 25W's work fine for determining highlight placements, a steal at $1.45 each.

The $15 Broncolor Stands were bought broken and missing connecting pins from Gary at WOUP. JB Weld and Black Duct 3M Tape makes them fully strong and usuable again.

 

[Nokton48]

Recreated FOBA Broncolor Sybiosis 700J Ball Head by Nokton48, on Flickr

A New to Me FOBA Broncolor Symbiosis. I needed a light which would sit flat on the floor (under two layers of glass) and this retains the Broncolor connectors and One Pulso FOBA Adapter fits it together perfectly. Some might call this a "Pencil Lite". 700 Joules maximum, no modeling light. Incredibly useful to me, i'll leave it close by all the time. Digishot Nex-7 50mm Zeiss Touit, Broncolor Hazylight two layers diffusion, Hazylight 1600J Head. Architectural Vellum on my glass FOBA Sweep Table. Hazylight is beautiful light. 🙂

 

[dxp]

Hi Fobelio!

This is my first post here too. I've joined specifically to participate in this topic, as I'm another enthusiastic FOBA and Broncolor user. I'm originally from Down Under, but am now settled in the middle of Germany.

Nokton48 will probably recognize my username from another forum where we both regularly post in a topic of theirs specifically discussing a 'bonanza' of Broncolor products, though FOBA gear is frequently getting a mention there as well.

I have a small home studio that I base my work out of, though most of the work I currently do is on location. I'm hoping to shift more to smaller product work in the studio as that's where I got my start years ago, but it seems to be a challenging time for product photographers.

My first experience with FOBA's equipment was over a decade ago, using a Combirohr kit we had in a commercial studio I was employed in. Impressive quality, and very useful for some of the setups we needed to put together at time.

Sadly it was only late last year that I started to consider obtaining some Combirohr pieces for my own use, and discovered that the company was unfortunately closing its doors and most stores had already sold off pretty much any stock they had remaining.

Since then I've been paying attention to the various used-equipment channels and gradually building up a handy kit of Combirohr and fittings from lots being sold off by photographers either downsizing or retiring. The occasional bargain pops up, too...earlier this year I manage to snag a pair of CIBAO progressive-locking articulated arms for 70€ a piece, and they are fantastic.

There are still some more obscure fittings I'm looking for, and I'm just now starting to look at options for a shorter studio stand, so the search continues!

You seem very familiar with their products so perhaps if I have any questions you might be in a position to share some knowledge with me?

Anyway, it's nice to come across another FOBA user who recognizes what amazing gear it is.

Hi to everybody

this is my first post... I am Elio, living in Switzerland, and a great FOBA enthusiast/collector and of course I photograph also, mainly portraiture and nature.

I like to see that there are people around that still love and use good old photo studio stuff...
The 60ies studio project sounds great! Looking forward to see further development! Good luck and please be careful with the old flash lamps.

Sadly news is as probably many of you already know that FOBA is closing their business at the end of 2024...

I am fortunate to living near Zurich and so close to the FOBA factory in Wettswil...
I visited their factory last Friday and it is sad to see that all machines are already sold and gone and they only have to build the very last batch of stands for the last order... very nice people and very welcoming and generous!

...

Enjoy your FOBA stuff, lucky us it is build to last 😉

 

[FOBELIO]

Fully Restored Broncolor Boxlite 40 C171 Brackets Broncolor Parts Stands by Nokton48, on Flickr

Just finished restoring these two badly roadbeaten Broncolor Boxlite 40's. Brackets extracted from Broncolor C171 Monolights (tossed out no good) allows swiveling and locking rotation on the back, and is now as it is in the original design. Two different types of modeling bulbs, I loaded up the truck, and am experimenting. All are useable so glad I grabbed some while still available. This shot lit by my Octobox 75 with Primo 1600J Head, and supplemental diffusion on the front of the Octobox. Really loving this Octobox 75, and also now 60x60 Broncolor Square Softbox.

The top unit is running 25W Incandescent bulbs. The bottom unit is running four 40W Incandescent 'spensive Broncolor Incandescents. For close work the 25W's work fine for determining highlight placements, a steal at $1.45 each.

The $15 Broncolor Stands were bought broken and missing connecting pins from Gary at WOUP. JB Weld and Black Duct 3M Tape makes them fully strong and usuable again.

Very good!
I very like the way you restored this Boxlite 40!
My Boxlite 40 is fortunately in good condition and didn't need any fix.
Unfortunatly on the smaller brother, the Boxlite 30, I miss the bracket system... since it is smaller and lighter probably just a 3/8 pin as you also did will do the job.
A combination of Manfrotto 131DB and 123 will be even a better and more stable solution.
Similar as Multiblitz did for their Magnoboxes. Rotation is possible in two axis.

Generally I don't like the way Broncolor Boxlites or even Striplite/Lightbars are attached to a light stand...





Manfrotto 131DB


Manfrotto 123

 

[FOBELIO]

Three New to Me Broncolor Boxlite 40s 1600J Recovered two by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here I have all three Broncolor Boxlite 40's up and popping nicely. Still have to figure which modeling bulbs where; the LED 40 Watter definitely "strobes" "flickers" so I think I'll go back to incandescent. I have a ton of 25 watt Incandescents now, so spares should not be a problems. The 40 watt incandescent get kinda warm if running for a while. I did use Pro Gaffers Tape to recover two of the Boxes, the acrylic does crack easily, now taped inside and out so good as new to me.

I was hoping a LED bulb will do the job as fine as the incandescent bulbs... 😕

I have only 3 spare ones, and I have 2 Boxlites and 2 Striplites which use them... I think 6 or 8 bulbs needed for replace all of them for a single Striplite... at around 27.- Swiss francs (30 USD) very pricey here in Switzerland! 😳😵😖

 

[FOBELIO]

Hi Fobelio!

This is my first post here too. I've joined specifically to participate in this topic, as I'm another enthusiastic FOBA and Broncolor user. I'm originally from Down Under, but am now settled in the middle of Germany.

Nokton48 will probably recognize my username from another forum where we both regularly post in a topic of theirs specifically discussing a 'bonanza' of Broncolor products, though FOBA gear is frequently getting a mention there as well.

I have a small home studio that I base my work out of, though most of the work I currently do is on location. I'm hoping to shift more to smaller product work in the studio as that's where I got my start years ago, but it seems to be a challenging time for product photographers.

My first experience with FOBA's equipment was over a decade ago, using a Combirohr kit we had in a commercial studio I was employed in. Impressive quality, and very useful for some of the setups we needed to put together at time.

Sadly it was only late last year that I started to consider obtaining some Combirohr pieces for my own use, and discovered that the company was unfortunately closing its doors and most stores had already sold off pretty much any stock they had remaining.

Since then I've been paying attention to the various used-equipment channels and gradually building up a handy kit of Combirohr and fittings from lots being sold off by photographers either downsizing or retiring. The occasional bargain pops up, too...earlier this year I manage to snag a pair of CIBAO progressive-locking articulated arms for 70€ a piece, and they are fantastic.

There are still some more obscure fittings I'm looking for, and I'm just now starting to look at options for a shorter studio stand, so the search continues!

You seem very familiar with their products so perhaps if I have any questions you might be in a position to share some knowledge with me?

Anyway, it's nice to come across another FOBA user who recognizes what amazing gear it is.

Hi dxp!

Welcome to this forum!
As you I joined also specifically to this forum for the contributing to the FOBA topic!
I am happy to share my knowledge with you all guys, since this is also the purpose of a forum: exchange opinions, knowledge and inspiring each others! 😌

I also aware of "Broncolor flash bonanza" post in an other forum (largeformat?) where you and Nokton48 (using an other user name?) are present!
Perhaps I will also join one day and contributing there... since I have some Broncolor related questions...

Since I live in Switzerland and had the opportunity to visit FOBA's factory numerous times till the end, speaking with the staff members (great people!) and I could at the end also save literally a ton of stuff and parts of the archive!
I feel very privileged and I have plans to build a website presenting FOBA's history and their products for further reference. It is a intimidating task since I never build a website and I have a lot of material and minimal time and space... 😂🙃😐🫤😑😬😵😵‍💫🙁😣😖😫🥺🤯💀 we will see...

Greetings from Switzerland!

 

[Nokton48]

I was hoping a LED bulb will do the job as fine as the incandescent bulbs... 😕

I have only 3 spare ones, and I have 2 Boxlites and 2 Striplites which use them... I think 6 or 8 bulbs needed for replace all of them for a single Striplite... at around 27.- Swiss francs (30 USD) very pricey here in Switzerland! 😳😵😖

The LED bulbs light well (except they -flicker- which I find annoying. Also I have discovered that unless you have the required spec incandescent modeling bulbs, the proportional modeling feature does not work for me. So with LED's you have only -full power-, and -off-, and they have the annoying flicker which will give me a headache! 🙁 So I bought twelve of the incandescent 40W 120V bulbs from USA Broncolor at $30 each. OUCH But I could use spares of the 40W variety.

 

[Nokton48]

New to me 3000J Broncolor Ringlight Olde Version AOK by Nokton48, on Flickr

I popped this new to be "The Beast" 1600J a few times, it's working perfectly. Love it and it's basically an on-camera fill light, adjustable angle, and up to 3000J in one pop. Beeg Flashtube safely covered. This unit has seen little use and was quite a bargain. Balloon Below camera left, Broncolor Hazy overhead 1600J. Nex 7 50mm Zeiss Touit. Foba DIMIL Sweep Table tempered glass covered with architectural Vellum.

 

[Nokton48]

Six Godox Pulso Adapters suspending six Broncolor Relflectors by Nokton48, on Flickr

I really like how this is working out. Now I have six Godox to Broncolor Pulso Adapters screwed strongly to ceiling joists. Gets these bulky reflectors out of the way, yet they are right at hand. Opens up the studio space, not having them piled all around the studio. And plenty of room I'm not feeling crowded at all. In the front set, from the left, Broncolor P70 with Grid and Barndoors. Then a P65 sized Universal Blue with modern P65 Grid which fits perfectly. Finally on the front right, my Octobox 75, up and out of the way, but ready to easily take down to use. A lot of work to build two of these, but work that needed to be done

 

[FOBELIO]

Six Godox Pulso Adapters suspending six Broncolor Relflectors by Nokton48, on Flickr

I really like how this is working out. Now I have six Godox to Broncolor Pulso Adapters screwed strongly to ceiling joists. Gets these bulky reflectors out of the way, yet they are right at hand. Opens up the studio space, not having them piled all around the studio. And plenty of room I'm not feeling crowded at all. In the front set, from the left, Broncolor P70 with Grid and Barndoors. Then a P65 sized Universal Blue with modern P65 Grid which fits perfectly. Finally on the front right, my Octobox 75, up and out of the way, but ready to easily take down to use. A lot of work to build two of these, but work that needed to be done

It is a great idea but unfortunately it isn't for me because I don't really have enough space and heigh. Having 4x P70, 3x P65, 2x P45 and even an huge P50... stacking them by type is more space saving. Perhaps for the smaller softboxes?

 

[FOBELIO]

here some very old Combitube connectors CODUO... they all have the "Wegweiser"-logo and one of them even a probably 1st generation tightener

quite a lot of very old FOBA stuff at the moment on sale here in Switzerland... interesting but unfortunately cosmetically not in really good condition but for sure still working well...

a lot of lamps.... unfortunately there is no led option for R7-bulbs in the needed length... perhaps in the future???






unknown to me.... could be a restoration project...










here a view from a old catalog with the boxy flooter PODEO, RANOO lamp and HIGRO lamp...



speaking about the flooter: here the Broncolor version of the projection lens
there exist also in FOBA grey and also in FOBA black (I have one)

 

[FOBELIO]

my statement of the day... 😌
From my archive... I don't know if it have a official name? UMBRE? Let's call it UMBRE...😆😂