Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe and Pocketwizard FlexTT5

For those of you familiar with the Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe softbox you will probably agree with me that it is a must have for any strobist doing portraits. While I really like the lighting results the hotshoe bracket leaves a lot to be desired. I usually trigger my off camera flashes using IR with an ST-E2 or for longer distances I use a PocketWizard FlexTT5 and MiniTT1. But If I’m using an IR trigger I usually have to mount my flash backwards in the Ezybox so the IR will work, which makes it impossible to adjust the flash settings.

Flash mounted correctly, but IR does not work

Flash mounted backwards, IR works

You’ll also notice that there is now a decent gap from the front of the flash to the back of the Ezybox. While this is not a show stopper you are loosing some light.

Flash can not get closer due to poor design, screw is hitting the post

Gap between flash head and Ezybox

I also tried mounting the flash sideways but about 1/3 of the flash is now firing into the back of the Ezybox instead of the center. The only way I could fix this was to angle the flash.

Flash mounted sideways, left view

Flash mounted sideways, right view

As for the PocketWizard FlexTT5 it just flat out does not mount securely onto the Ezybox hotshoe.

Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe, PocketWizard FlexTT5

PocketWizard FlexTT5 hitting the hotshoe bracket

PocketWizard FlexTT5 hanging off the hotshoe

While I have not found a good solution for either problem I did notice today that Lastolite released a new hotshoe mount, the Lastolite EZBox Hotshoe Mark II mounting bracket. After scouring the Web for a bit I was not able to find any reviews regarding the new hotshoe mount. So if you have/get one let me know what you think; I am eager to see if this will fix my problems. Or if someone at Lastolite sees this post I would be happy to test the new bracket out; hint, hint.